"The Hill" also called "Hell Hill" refers to the section of the
original Moffat Railroad that made its arduous way up the
mountainside and crossed the Continental Divide or "Devil's
Backbone" through Rollins Pass utilizing the 19th century
Rollinsville and Middle Park Wagon Road.
The Denver Northwestern & Pacific Railroad is an example of
how David H. Moffat, in spite of incredible financial hardships,
realized his dream of driving a railroad line over
"The Top of the World" or Corona, Colorado.
Moffat began the line westward from Denver to Hot Sulphur
Springs in April of 1903. It was constructed to provide access
to the west side of a proposed 2.6-mile tunnel under Rollins
Pass at the 9,960-foot level. The line was completed in just a
little over two years in June of 1905. The route required the
boring of 33 small tunnels on a 2% grade along South Boulder
Creek and on a 4% grade over Rollins Pass.
Although intended for three or four years' use, the
"Over the Hill" route served as the main line until 1928, when
the six mile Moffat Tunnel was finally completed.
|
|
|
