This page follows along the original route across the Bear River canyon as seen to the right in the map above. Note, between 1901 and 1908
the mainline between Long Ravine and Coleman was built on a new alignment. The new route across the Bear River canyon is to the left.
Major features of this original line include Gables Trestle, Bear River Trestle, You Bet Tunnel, Greenhorn Trestle, and Shebleys Trestle.
The original alignment was left in place as the You Bet Branch until 1910.
1. This view taken from Glen Elder Rd shows the diversion of the two lines. The original crosses Gables Trestle to the right
while the new alignment crossed the Long Ravine Viaduct here. I suspect the original line was constructed at a much lower elevation
and is buried under the newer right of way as the original lies underwater from here to Greenhorn Acces Rd to the north. Even Rollins Lake Rd
was massively raised on a fill for the construction of Rollins Lake.
2. USGS lidar image marked with prominent features of image 1 location.
3. Google satellite image also marked with the features of this location.
4. Taken on the point above Greenhorn Creek, this images shows the approximate location of the Greenhorn Trestle.
The location of the You Bet Tunnel can be seen in the background.
5. USGS lidar image marked with prominent features of image 4 location. Note: some photo locations from below are also marked.
6. Google satellite image also marked with the features of this location. Note: some photo locations from below are also marked.
Shebleys
On its climb out the the Bear River drainage, the line made a complete U-turn to the south at Shebley's, now Greenhorn Access campground.
1.-2. USGS lidar and Google satellite views marked with the locations of the accompanying images.
3. Taken near the Greenhorn Access boat ramp, this image shows the approximate location where the line emerges from Rollins Lake.
4. This image looks back south towards image 3 from near the Shebleys Trestle site.
5. View from the same location as image 4 looking towards Shebleys Trestle site.
6. Approximate location of Shebleys Trestle looking railroad north.
7. Looking back, railroad south, across the site of Shebleys Trestle.
8. The line now travels geographically south while climbing railroad north towards Chicago Park. This is the opposite view of image 7.
9.-12. The right of way now follows Rollins View drive over a series of fills and through several cuts.
Image 10 is a culvert below the fill in image 9.
Chicago Park
Entering Chicago Park, the line makes another sweeping U-turn back to the north and then onwards towards Coleman.
13.-14. Two more views along Rollins View Drive. Both look geographically south while at the same time look railroad north.
15.-18. These views are taken along Spring Valley Dr near the intersection with Georges Meadows. I suspect the fill was raised
slightly at this end to form a dam for the pond seen in the images and on maps.
19.-20. Opposite views taken at the southern end of the dam seen in the previous images.
21. The line begins its turn back to the north here on this fill.
22. At Reese Ln is the large cut forming the apex of the u-turn back north. This view looks back towards the previous image.
The rest of the cut has been filled in. An early iteration of Chicago Park station also stood near here.
Between here and the next image, the right of way is either inaccessable or non-existant.
23. A large cut is now crossed by Hwy 174 opposite Moore Hill Rd. This view is railroad south.
24. Opposite view from image 23. A very nice fill between Hwy 174 and Powerline Rd.
Another early version of Chicago Park station stood near here.
25. Looking south from Powerline Rd towards the fill in the previous image.
26. Northward view from Powerline Rd into a small cut.
27. View from the north end of the cut looking back south through it.
* USGS Lidar and Google satellite images marked with photo locations.
28. Looking south at Cattail Ln. This is where Hwy 174 and the original alignment diverge. Best seen in person.
29. Again looking south, this time at Coleman station. This is where the new and original alignments diverge.
Note, from here to Cattail Ln, Hwy 174 and the original alignment are the same. These locations are marked on the above lidar and satellite views.
