History: Aspen Branch of Denver Rio Grande Rail Road

 

Since the D&RG was completed in 1897 it has helped build and well served the Roaring Fork Valley:

• transported miners, families and visitors to valley towns
including Aspen, Basalt, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, Redstone, Coal Basin and Marble
• helped build these very towns by bringing in building materials, passengers, supplies
• transported important personages, such as President Theodore Roosevelt
• hauled millions of tons of coal, used in the production of steel throughout the United     States
• carried tons of silver ore for use in minting U. S. coins
• provided employment and income for valley families
• hauled out tons of strawberries, potatoes and other agricultural products
• carried marble blocks used in Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, the Lincoln Memorial the Colorado State Capitol, Colorado State Museum, and hundreds of other statues and buildings.

• Hauled out iron ore mined from Snowmass Mtn. loaded at Woody Creek until 1986

• Remained in operation until 1990 hauling coal from Carbondale load-out.

 

by  Jan Girardot

History D&RG

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Rail Map

Glenwood Springs to Carbondale

 

red - operational Denver & Rio Grande

blue - former Colorado Midland RR

green - former Crystal River RR

Basalt 1890s