Colorado Midland Railway

Colorado Midland Railway
ca. 1900 map of the Colorado Midland Railway
Overview
Reporting markCM
LocaleColorado
Dates of operation1883–1918
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The Colorado Midland Railway (reporting mark CM), incorporated in 1883, was the first standard gauge railroad built over the Continental Divide in Colorado. It ran from Colorado Springs to Leadville and through the divide at Hagerman Pass to Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction. The sections of the railroad were constructed from east to west; the following table illustrates the proper sequence.

Constructed Section Start Finish Date
Manitou to Woodland July 16, 1886 March 4, 1887
Woodland to Florrisant July 31, 1886 March 23, 1887
Florissant to Spinney August 1, 1886 April 9, 1887
Spinney to Hartsel September 27, 1887 April 24, 1887
Hartsel to Hill Top September 1, 1886 May 6, 1887
Hill Top to Leadville September 21, 1886 August 29, 1887
Leadville to Nast May 17, 1886 September 23, 1887
Nast to Reudi August 7, 1886 September 27, 1887
Reudi to Basalt April 19, 1886 October 18, 1887
Basalt to Glenwood Springs April 22, 1886 December 18, 1887