From Past To Present: Discovering Colorado’s Midland Railroad Tunnels

Colorado is full of history, as well as numerous reminders of the past that often date back to the state's infancy back in the mid-1800s.

Read More: LOOK: Seven Lost Tunnels Along an Abandoned Colorado Railway |

These reminders often include ghost towns, abandoned mines, and even tunnels. While many of these old, historic tunnels are not accessible to the public, some of them, including the Midland Railroad Tunnels, are.

Colorado's Historic Midland Railroad Tunnels

Back when the state of Colorado relied heavily on railroads for various methods of transportation, the Midland Railroad served as an important lifeline for much of the state.

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The Midland Railroad connected the cities of Colorado Springs, Leadville, and Aspen, and was primarily used to transport various products of mining including silver ore, iron ore, and an array of mining supplies.

The opening of the railroad took place in 1883 and was surrounded by fanfare as early Coloradans gathered in droves to celebrate what was the first standard-gauge railroad to be established in the state, as well as the first to cross the Continental Divide.

However, getting over the Continental Divide was no easy task and required the construction of numerous tunnels that were bored right into the mountains.

While the railroad itself was closed in 1918, the tunnels are still around and are a popular destination to visit by mountain climbers, tourists, and many others.

Keep scrolling to take a virtual tour of the historic Colorado Midland Railroad Tunnels and see exactly what they look like today: