Re: Along The Gilpin Tramway - A Closer Look

Posted by Keith Pashina on Dec 30, 2024; 5:28am
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Along-The-Gilpin-Tramway-A-Closer-Look-tp20380p20402.html


Climbing further along the grade, we pass by the Robert Emmet Mine.  This is another Denver Public Library, Western History Collection photo This apparently was a good producer at one time, and was set along the hillside above the tramway grade.  This mine was not a shipper on the Gilpin Tram - perhaps they teamed their ore down to the nearby Bonanza or Oliver Mills, or one of the other mills down in Black Hawk. The Gilpin Tram grade can be seen at the bottom right edge of the photo.


We’re now nearing the head of Chase Gulch. The rock formation is Castle Rock. The Gilpin Tram grade can be seen directly below it.


A closer view of the Robert Emmet Mine, courtesy of the Denver Public Library, Western History Collection.



And now we arrive at the head of Chase Gulch. Castle Rock is at the center, with the Gilpin Tram main line directly below. The Castle Rock Mine is at upper right – I don’t think it was a Gilpin Tram shipper. At left, the main line curves off to the south, crossing over Chase Gulch, which has a high water flow at this time. The track veering towards upper left is the start of the Tucker Mine and Mill branch.


Here is a closer view of the Castle Rock mine, courtesy of the Denver Public Library, Western History Collection. I like the lines of this structure – it would make a great model.



A Gilpin Tram train headed upgrade with two locomotives is nearing Castle Rock. Photo courtesy of the Denver Public Library, Western History Collection.


A closer view of Tucker Mill Junction. The main line crosses over a waterfall made by the stone retaining wall constructed here. A stub switch with harp switch stand controls the start of the Tucker Mill Branch.


This waterfall is Chase Gulch during spring water runoff. The stone retaining wall supported the Gilpin Tram main line as it made a 180 degree curve and started up the north face of Winnebago Hill. What a wonderful model scene this could make!

So, this wraps up a short tour of the Gilpin Tram’s Chase Gulch grade. This area has some dramatic scenery, and interesting mining and milling activity. Now that we’re at the Tucker Mill Branch junction, we’ll head up that way next and see what is to be seen there, then continue on up the main line onto Winnebago Hill, and then the mining districts.

Until then, Happy New Year.

Keith