Ghost DRG Rollins Pass over the top Std gauge

Ghost DRG Rollins Pass over the top Std gauge - Rollins Pass to W. Portal

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Name of RR

DRG/D&SLR Ghost

Start point

map

Rollinsville

Mid point

map

End point

map

Winter Park

Page date

m/d/y

8/30/2005

Possible backdrops

here

Further Research & Additional Information =

railsproject.com/R/Aspfiles/DetailPage.asp?Xfer_Code=8000165

www.matts-place.com/trains/colorado/rollins.html

ghostdepot.com/rg/mainline/moffat%20route/rollins%20pass.htm

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollins_Pass

home.comcast.net/~jackpreed/Moffat.htm

memory.loc.gov/ammem/award97/codhtml/hawpSubjects295.html

Ghost DRG Rollins Pass over the top Std gauge - Rollins Pass to W. Portal

Summary

Rollins Pass between Rollinsville and Winter Park, was the DRG/D&SLR primary route west until the Moffat Tunnel passed under the continental divide instead of over it. Rollins Pass track was laid in 1904 and used until 1936, crossing the divide at 11660 ft. It still has several intact trestles and some not so intact tunnels. A fine example of mountain railroading and great to model.

Rollins Pass was standard gauge starting a 4% grade near the current Moffat Tunnel East Portal and winding up to 11660 ft at the pass (Corona Pass) then down the west slope to just ½ mile north of the current Moffat Tunnel West Portal. The “over the top” route was necessary to push the railroad west to Salt Lake City. D.H.Moffat had planned to use the route only a few years while building the tunnel, however, it turned out to be used for over 25 years. It must have been the ride of a lifetime. Today you cannot cross the last few miles at the top by car. The needles Eye tunnel is intact but closed and there are some trestles that you walk carefully across or end up 1000 ft lower. You can drive up either side to limited parking on east and plenty parking at the top of Corona Pass. The road on the East is very rough with car swallow potholes and rocks with average speed in a jeep of about 8mph for 14 miles. The west is better but not much.

Both sides give great views, with a trestle, ties, lost tunnel and town sites on the west. On the East there are several lakes. The best is the hike down from Corona Pass across the trestles (reinforced for a modern gas pipeline) to the Needles Eye. A book Rails That Climb by Edward Bollinger, ISBN 0-918654-29-7, gives considerable detail about the RR west from Denver. We would like to give the book back to Mr. Bollinger to finish it as there is not a single map.

click on image for an expanded view

Much of the west side is in trees but the road is better. There are some town sites, Ys, sidings, ties and other interests if you look and find a good map. Do some research first and topo on a computer with GPS helps.

click on image for an expanded view

If you plan this trip, be sure to have 4 wheel drive, and a clear day.

click on image for an expanded view

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