Georgetown Loop Railroad with Photographer’s Notes

Observations from a First Time Rider

I’ve known about the narrow guage train for years, but never managed to go there and ride it. Below are a few tidbits you might find helpful if you are considering a steam powered train ride at Devil’s Gate.

     • Book your tickets online or over the phone. See website: www.Georgetownlooprr.com

     • Be on time ⏤ they are!

     • Each trip is 1 hour and 15 minutes (30 minutes each direction with a 10-50 minute stop at Silver Plume)

     • At this elevation, it can be chilly on some days. Our group of four didn’t need them, but a jacket might be worth bringing.

     • During peak months, there are nine open air cars with up to 40 passengers per car.

     • All of the employees were both friendly and helpful.

Observations and comments from a photographer’s perspective

The entire area is essentially on private property and photographer’s access is limited. After just my first time, here are a few comments and suggestions:
     • The steam engine is pulls the cars UP the mountain with the cars behind it.

     • The locomotive will be running in reverse coming BACK DOWN the mountain, and thus, less photogenic.

     • Consider sitting close to the rear of the train to potentially take shots as it makes a tight curve. You will also be able to get off the train quicker at Silver Plume for more photo time there.

     • You can’t move from car to car once the train starts moving, but you can move around inside your train car.
 
     • Once the “All Aboard” call is made and the steam powered whistle blows, the train backs down the hill around 200 yards below the station before starting its climb. (more on this in the next section)

     • The canyon, highway, and creek run east to west or west to east. That could be an important consideration for the best light.
   
      • The tall trestle near the entrance is not just for decoration! The train doubles back and crosses over the trestle about 10 minutes after it leaves the station.

Note: The photographer above is a staff photographer, taking photos of the groups of tourists before they make it to the train’s dock. The photos are delivered to Silver Plum and are available for purchase on the way down the mountain. We were on a family adventure so I went “light”, carrying only a Sony A1 and a Tamron 35-150mm lens. 

Additional Notes for Photographers

     • You won’t have much time for photography at Silver Plume, and there are very few places you can stand for “clean” shots. The conductor will sound the “all aboard” call all too soon.
     
     • TIP: When one group of passengers returns to the station, they will exit the cars and disperse to the gift shops, rest rooms, and return to their vehicles. Within minutes, the next group of passengers standing in line will board the train. Within minutes, the loading docks will become empty. The train backs down the tracks, around a bend and out of sight, before beginning its next trip. I asked the employees if I could take photos of the train as it approaches and pass by. They were very friendly and allowed me to stand behind the railing but still very close to the tracks for some of my favorite shots of the day.

    • For photographic purposes, the train jiggles and bounces some as it travels over the old rails. While moving, I bumped my shutter speed up to 1/2000th second to help eliminate the shake. It might take some experimenting to learn how slow I could have set the shutter speed before seeing sharpness issues. 

     • Once the train leaves the station, you still have time to find a good spot to take photos as it travels across the high trestle.

When I Go Back

     •First, you don’t have to pay for a ride to take photos! Parking is free and tickets are not needed until entering the dock to board the train.

     • I took my trestle crossing shots from the Devil’s Gate Station area at around 11:35 am. Morning shots of the crossing might be better if taken from the asphalt road as you approach Devil’s Gate from Georgetown. I didn’t take a “record shot” from that angle, but wish I had.
     
• There are a couple of pull-outs along I-70 that might offer some good photos as the train travels up the mountain. The engine will be facing forward at the front of the string of cars. Photos taken on the return trip probably wouldn’t “trip your trigger” with the engine facing the wrong direction.
   
 • As with any subject, it would probably take numerous trips to get the “great” shots. The best, moody photos would happen with romantic lighting on stormy days, or when bands of light hitting just the train and a few nearby trees. Foggy days might also be wonderful times to be there. The train doesn’t run at sunrise or sunset during the long summer days, so those shots are probably not viable.
     
     • Following my singular train ride, I know now that there is no good or legal spot to photograph the locomotive while it is stopped. (You CAN do that in Silverton, CO once it stops for lunch.) In Devil’s Gate and the Silver Plume Station, I would look for other angles and opportunities with my 10 minutes.
   
     • Besides Georgetown, both neaby Idaho Springs and Silver Plume appear to be loaded with photo opportunities! Old mining structures and mine shafts dot the mountainsides, and I am sure there are museums and relics of the mining days around. As I mentioned ealier, we went there as a family outing and needed to get back home for an appointment. WHEN I go back, I plan on spending a lot of time in and around the three towns and surrounding mountains. 
     
      • Lastly, the steep cliffs along 1-70 in the Georgetown area are famous for the bighorn sheep that live in the area. Once the rut begins, it might be possible to get wildlife shots, trains, rugged landscapes and grungy historic photos all in the same day.

When I Went Back!

 Well, I DID go back! I was in Georgetown on a Monday, then drove back to Georgetown (on my own) Wednesday afternoon. The last train had already run, so I spent the afternoon scouting around and was ready for the next morning. Below are the new photos from Thursday.

Website: Georgetown Loop RR
Phone: (888) 456-6777
Address: 825 Railroad Ave, Silver Plume, CO 80476

Colorado has numerous additional options for train rides. To view a list, click:  Complete Guide to Train Rides in Colorado