Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad (Colorado)
Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad Tunnels (1894-1912)
Phantom Canyon (Adelaide), Colorado
The narrow gauge Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad was completed in 1894, linking the central Colorado mining district of Cripple Creek and Victor with the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad to the south at Florence, Colorado. The F&CC was the first of three railroads to reach Cripple Creek and operated until 1912 when floods washed away miles of track and numerous bridges.
The 40-mile railroad required two tunnels, numbered south to north. Tunnel #1, the lower tunnel, is 166 feet long and located at railroad milepost 11.3 (from Florence). Tunnel #2, the upper tunnel, is 314 feet long and is located at milepost 15.0. Both tunnels are straight and unlined. Much of the original F&CC right-of-way including both tunnels now serve as Phantom Canyon Road.
Note: This text and accompanying photos are the copyright of Christopher Muller and may not be reproduced in whole or in part on any website, message board, or other medium.
Read MorePhantom Canyon (Adelaide), Colorado
The narrow gauge Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad was completed in 1894, linking the central Colorado mining district of Cripple Creek and Victor with the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad to the south at Florence, Colorado. The F&CC was the first of three railroads to reach Cripple Creek and operated until 1912 when floods washed away miles of track and numerous bridges.
The 40-mile railroad required two tunnels, numbered south to north. Tunnel #1, the lower tunnel, is 166 feet long and located at railroad milepost 11.3 (from Florence). Tunnel #2, the upper tunnel, is 314 feet long and is located at milepost 15.0. Both tunnels are straight and unlined. Much of the original F&CC right-of-way including both tunnels now serve as Phantom Canyon Road.
Note: This text and accompanying photos are the copyright of Christopher Muller and may not be reproduced in whole or in part on any website, message board, or other medium.
