Near Walden in Jackson County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The “Iron Horse” Comes to North Park
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. The “Iron Horse” Marker
The relative solitude of North Park was shattered by the clank of picks and shovels and the shouts of workers as the railroad came to the valley in 1911. Stretching from Laramie, Wyoming, to Coalmont, Colorado, the "iron horse" greatly facilitated shipping of North Park commodities. For the next 80 years, the valley echoed with the rattle and clatter of trains hauling coal, livestock, and timber to distant markets.
After mining closed in Coalmont in 1964, the line was pulled back to Hebron. In later years, traffic on the line diminished, and the tracks were eventually removed in the 1990s.
The railroad line traversed present-day Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge on its way to Coalmont. Its abandoned grade is still visible to the west and south of this site.
Did You Know?
Before becoming the Coalmont Branch of the Union Pacific Railroad in 1951, North Park's railroad was known by five different names: Laramie, Hahn's Peak & Pacific Railway; Larimer & Routt County Railway; Colorado, Wyoming & Eastern Railway; Northern Colorado & Eastern Railroad; Laramie, North Park & Western Railroad.
Topics.
this page online
Location. 40° 41.954′ N, 106° 14.727′ W. Marker is near Walden, Colorado, in Jackson County. It can be reached from Colorado Route 14 3 miles south of Walden, on the right when traveling south. Located at the Illinois River Overlook, also known as Brocker Overlook, on the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge, in a region known locally as North Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 37689 CO-14, Walden CO 80480, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Colorado High Rockies and on the Continental Divide. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Riches From the Earth (here, next to this marker); Timber: A Growing Need (a few steps from this marker); Fur Hat: The Opening of North Park (a few steps from this marker); Ranching: An Enduring Legacy
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. The “Iron Horse” Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker
3. Historic Railcar Display
Photographed by Craig Baker
4. Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge
Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 282 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 9, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
