In the railroad days of the past century, the Colorado Midland offered a special diversion. “What shall I do next weekend?” was a question asked by many a tourist who has toured many of our attractions. He has seen the lakes, has climbed many trails, fished and hunted and now seeks some other diversion. There is one trip which he has not yet taken, at once romantic and delightful.

It is a “Summer Excursion.” Here’s how publications of the day might have presented it.

“On Sunday the Midland runs another of these excursion trains to Leadville, and there is, perhaps no pleasanter or more charming ride in all Colorado than over the famed Pike’s Peak route.

“The train leaves the Colorado City, Midland depot at 8 a.m. and, returns at 5 p.m. This gives a daylight ride of a hundred miles over two mountain ranges and a great park. The excursionist catches more than a fleeting glimpse of the grandest and wildest scenery on the continent. The train climbs up the grand Ute Pass valley, beneath the shadow of Pikes Peak yet crowned with a pearly halo of snow, then up the steep sides of Eleven Mile Canyon, across South Park, winding serpentine around gorges, ravines and gulches, a plunge in the mouth of four little tunnels near Buena Vista, piercing more Granite rocks, climbing up the green valley of the Arkansas River.

“Then comes a day of pleasure, and enjoyment; a look at the high peaks, a meal in a fine restaurant and visit to some of the historic gold and silver mines, finally the return trip back from the cool shadows of the Cloud city. The rarely seen twinkling lights in mountain communities like Florissant, Woodland Park and Cascade sparkle with many colored lights in the gloom of the hills.

“Colorado Springs as well as Colorado City and Manitou wait in their summer warmth for their return. The regular visits to the mountain camps is one of awe for the visitors from the east like New York or Pennsylvania. The city of Denver is not completely forgotten, connections can be made.”