Re: Along The Gilpin Tramway - A Closer Look

Posted by Keith Pashina on Dec 30, 2024; 4:53am
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Along-The-Gilpin-Tramway-A-Closer-Look-tp20380p20398.html

The Gilpin Tram train  photo we’ve been discussing was taken on the south slope of Gunnell Hill, along the Gilpin Tram main line. The train pictured appears to be backing down from mines further up the line, perhaps one of the mines on Gunnell Hill, or further up the line .

There was a runaround track and wye a short distance ahead of the train, so maybe they turned the shay before descending Chase Gulch.  The elevation where the train is sitting is about 8,950 foot elevation, and the train will need to descend Winnebago Hill and Chase Gulch to reach the Black Hawk “roundhouse”, which is at about 8,225 foot elevation. The train will descend 725 feet in about 3.63 miles (using the C&S official mileage chart dated 7-01-1914). This equates to about an average 3.7% grade – no wonder the tram used shays!

Chase Gulch is an interesting and very scenic part of the Gilpin Tram’s route, and I think well worth while to take a closer look.  So,  let’s  expand on this post, and take a look at the mainline and the route through Chase Gulch, and the various sights along the way.

For some background, there have some previous relevant posts dealing with Gilpin Tram track and facilities Black Hawk:

The Gilpin Tram in Black Hawk: The Gilpin Tram in Black Hawk

And Chris Walker’s thread on the Gilpin Tram’s Engine House in Black Hawk: Speculations on the Gilpin Tramway at the Black Hawk Roundhouse