Georgetown Loop Railroad

After reading very mixed reviews, I must say that it is absolutely worth the price (approx. $ 10 difference) to upgrade to the «parlor car» aka. «first class.» My parents and I had a lovely, relaxing time. The seats and tables are comfy, (much more so than the long benches in coach looked), and the price includes a «free» drink, salty snack, and sweet snack of your choice. They also serve alcoholic beverages in first class, which added to the enjoyment of the ride as well ;-)
While the entire train ride is not one stunning view after the other, there are several points where the views are unrivaled. There’s an amazing white water creek below that is crossed many times, as well as a super high point where you can see for miles across the range. Yes, most of the train ride is winding through the forest so you can’t see far and wide, but for those who love mountains, it’s all still very pretty and enjoyable. If being in the forest doesn’t interest you at all, perhaps try the train ride at Disney World. This is a real piece of history that was fought for by the Historical Society, and it was absolutely worth saving so that people in 2016 can get just a tiny glimpse of what life was like over 100 years ago in this amazing state.
Lastly, many have complained that this train ride is not a true «loop.» Indeed, the train is simply a there-​and-​back ride, like many other trains in Colorado that had to be built this way due to the narrow, treacherous passes through the mountain ranges. If you listen to the tour guide, (again, I recommend the parlor car because it is far more quiet with less people so you can hear the guide clearly), you will learn that the name comes from the way the train tracks were built, which is all very interesting to history buffs and train nerds like myself! There are a couple literal loops built into the track that were necessary during construction in the 1800’s, which is how the name stuck. Overall, this is a nice activity for locals and tourists and is reasonably priced for what you get.

The one thing you should know is that the steam engine doesn’t usually run during the week — just on weekends and holidays. For the short 4-​mile trip, this matters. The mine tour is nice, but without the steamer, this trip feels more like an amusement park ride and less like a page out of history.
Bring a camera — the loop really is great. The track is well-​maintained and the museum in Silver Plume is nice. The day was fun, but it was short on magic… and steam.

Ok if you have twin four year old boys this is an easy sell. Anything involving trains will go over well.
Georgetown is about an hour from Denver, the perfect distance for a nap but not boredom. Upon arrival we were treated to complimentary hot chocolate and cookies and a very nice staff.
The train ride itself is an hour and was complete with Santa and elves. We also got some great family pix from the «their» photographer that went from car to car.
My only disappointment was that we couldn’t get out in Silver Plume (they close it in the Winter).
Thanks for making my family happy and I’ll to come back in the Summer!

We just had the best evening on the Georgetown Loop’s Lighted Forest train. Everything was extremely well organized with cookies, hot chocolates, snacks and a special chocolate truffle. Santa was on board and gave all the kiddos a bell. The photographer on board also did a really great job. Such a fun evening… we’ll be making this a annual family tradition!

Their Christmas train is just awesome. Treats, carols, the BEST Santa ever and really friendly staff. Kind of expensive but still worth it. A holiday must!

It’s just a fun, and plain and simple nod to Colorado (and U.S.) history. The ride is very brief, and the views can sometimes be difficult to see based on your location in the parlor car, but if it’s just views that you want, take a hike or drive some of the scenic roads. The conductor gives a couple narratives, and they serve several decent snacks such as KIND bars. The gift shop also has some fun gifts. Why not?

Well-​organized, scenic, educational and reasonably priced. It was fun to see the little kids very excited about going on a train for the first time. Lots of great mountain views — bring a camera. I got a nice t-​shirt in the gift shop for only $ 10! The guy with the mic gave very clear directions — staff was friendly and seem to enjoy their jobs. After the train ride we wandered around the gift shops in the quaint little Georgetown and had lunch. Would love to do this again at Christmastime.

This really wasn’t worth the money spent. Too much of the ride was spent sitting and waiting for latecomers, which was annoying. The view was ok, nothing spectacular. The staff is worth five stars, however. They gave interesting historical facts during the ride and they did a good job of hamming up their roles to amuse the kids.

Great ride and extended mine tour with our guide Paul. Loved that the mine tour guides were genuinely excited by the mine and knew all the history. The backwards ride to Silver Plume was awesome — sit at the very front and pretend you’re the engineer.

My husband and I did the hike and ride. The trail was not easy but was definitely doable, ecspecially since our guide TJ was awesome to monitor and go with the speed and ability of the hikers. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the history and this was hands down one of the best tours I have ever been on amd this is coming from the almost 40 overweight lady that didn’t think she could do it. Check it out, request TJ, have a blast!!! $

Signed up for the annual New Belgium Beer & Brats train ride.
First Class Parlor Car tickets were what all the tickets were sold as. Everyone gets the same seating, and if you have an empty seat at your table, a stranger will be sat with you, since every seat is sold. Not exactly an intimate experience.
Brats were buffet style, grab a (paper) plate and fill it up before you get on the train.
Beers were 4oz tasters, poured every 15 minutes during the 1 hour there-​and-​back ride. A New Belgium rep gave the explanations for all the beers and seemed genuinely excited about it. He was definitely more excited than the patrons, who would have liked more beer, delivered in a more expedited fashion. 1 beer over the course of an hour isn’t exactly what I was hoping for. To be fair, beer is also available for purchase: $ 5ea.
The train ride is nothing spectacular. A couple good views, and a nice stop on the Devil’s Bridge, a 95 foot drop to the water below.
Overall, I don’t think I will be coming back. If you can get it for cheap/​free, and want to spend some time in Georgetown, which is a neat little town, maybe give it a try.

Great way to see some mountain views from a steam train ride. Nice historical ride through some mountains and mining area. Tour guides we’re friendly and knowledgeable of the history and surrounding area of the mining companies. The mining tour is a great and informative addition to your train ride. They offer open cars with no obstructed views as well as cars with seating and food service. Nice way to spend the day!

Great summer afternoon activity with the fam. The kiddos, 2 & 3 yrs really enjoyed it.

Took the train ride with the silver mine tour. The ride was good but the mine tour was FANTASTIC. Jeremy, our guide was enthusiastic and full of information. He was also very patient with the mant questions my two pre-​teen sons had. Our family group ranged from ages 11 to 74 and everyone loved it.

I feel bad giving a 1 star, but this was an awful and overpriced experience. The staff were super nice, but like others said: no views, barely any lights and it wasn’t even a loop! You just go up for a half hour then come right back from whence you came. Not to mention it was freezing in coach. Then they try to charge you $ 20 for a photo! Really?! After charging $ 40 per person for the ride? Save your money and drive through some fancy neighborhoods, you’ll see better lights and will be warmer. Maybe the earlier rides are better (we went at 6:10), but this sucked. Sorry Santa.

Have always wanted to ride the Georgetown Loop and got the chance today. They have done a nice job on the ‘depot’ and gift shop. It was Oktoberfest and they were grilling brats & hot dogs to enjoy for all. Fun! Not much aspen color left but still gorgeous views and a fun little train ride. Train master guy gave nice tidbits of history along the way about the train and mine we pass. We did the parlor car which is a little more but like the tables and layout. Free beverages and snacks too. Staff all very courteous and professional. Would’ve liked to be able to get off at Silver Plume but get that takes too long to get everyone back on. Enjoyed our ride and would do again; maybe when snow on ground? That would be pretty.
I think the value was good and not overpriced for the experience. Train lovers will enjoy as well as kids. Great afternoon for us with the train ride and exploring Georgetown.

This is a very fun and relatively safe activity for anyone of any age, especially kids. We were in town for a family reunion and everyone really liked this activity for its wonderful views, interesting historical information, and corny jokes.
If you’re in town with kids, take them to the Georgetown park/​playground. It’s one of the best I’ve ever been to!

This was an absolute waste of money and time. The only highlight of the whole diversion was getting to stop in Georgetown first, which is a town so pleasant I would consider moving there if not for its celebration of needless train tours.
The Georgetown Loop Railroad brands itself as a scenic train ride. But for a train ride to be scenic, you need to actually be able to see something. We couldn’t, due to scrub trees growing so close to the track that you need to keep your hands in the car. We knew we were at altitude because we could vaguely see, through branches, a creek and a clearing and a highway.
The conductor gave us some information over the loudspeaker, or at least tried to over the din of shrieking children that were bounding around the train cars because they weren’t distracted by any scenic views. If there was one small part of the train reserved for just adults, that might have been better. But alas, no. First class parlor or open cattle car, you’re dealing with children that have precisely no interest on being on a train.
And the price, an astounding $ 40 per person, was absolutely offensive.
At the end of the day, I strongly recommend the Georgetown Loop Railroad to either close, rebrand, forbid children, some combination thereof. What a shame.

This «loop» is really more of a «down and back.» I enjoyed the historical aspect of this train ride and I feel like it’s a very Colorado thing to do a steam train ride at least once in your life.
My dad and I also added the mine tour onto our train ride and I think that’s what made it more worth it for me (despite it being really cold down there!). You have to wear a hard hat to enter the mine and they take your photo in the hats, which they try to sell you for $ 20 at the end. The mine guide was knowledgable and was able to answer questions and give some good insight into what life was like down there for these men. If you’re tall, you’ll have to hunch over a bit in some parts of the mine, but me at 5’4, I had no real issues.
On the way to the mine we sat in an open car to take pictures, but on the way back since the weather really turned rainy and gloomy, we went for a covered car. The pictures you take aren’t going to be the most astounding of the mountains, but the train itself is pretty cool to take photos of, especially when you’re going uphill and the steam engine really has to work. I also liked some photos I took of Clear Creek. The water is especially tumultuous now with all the runoff from winter. When you go over the bridge it gets really windy! So hang onto your hat!
When we were there they were also having Gold Panning Days, so they give you a little baggie of dirt and a vial with a few flecks of gold. They have tubs of water set up so they can teach you how to pan for the gold. It’s pretty interesting and I mostly watched because I didn’t want to get my hands wet.
They provided hot dogs and chips at the Lebanon Mine because I guess they figure we’re going to keel over and die if we don’t eat something in the 2.5 hours it takes to do the train and the mine tour, but I didn’t partake.
This was an overall good experience and I enjoyed the historical aspect of it. Seeing the steam train in action was really fun for me, but I’m sort of a history geek. I think if you have teenagers they will think this is really lame, but it depends on the person.

Simply put, this train ride is terrible. I’m so mad we wasted our money on this.
— The views are horrible. Actually, there are no views which makes them horrible. Trees obstruct basically everything.
— The main event is going over the bridge. Well, the bridge is like 20 feet long so it’s not that great and also I felt like we were going to go tumbling off the track up there. It definitely did not feel safe (though we were fine).
— We bought tickets for the first class parlor car, expecting that it would be great and it wasn’t. It was full of screaming kids. There really should be an adults-​only parlor car.
— The conductor gave only brief historical snippets. I wish there was more of that. Or at least a headset that you could do at your own pace if you wanted to learn more of the history.
— Lastly, the price (almost $ 40/​pp) was ridiculous for what we got out of it (which was nothing).
The only good things about the train ride was that we could bring on our own food and the staff on board were AWESOME (friendly, fun, upbeat).
Overall, I would not return or recommend this.