The Moffat Tunnel
The Denver, Northwestern and Pacific railroad first supported the building of the Moffat Tunnel through David Moffat in 1902. The tunnel was proposed because of the difficulty of snow conditions due to steep grades and switch backs over Rollins Pass. Rollins pass connects James Peak and the continental divide, and snow removing from the original line made the train non-profitable to operate. Although there was overwhelming support, construction did not get underway until 1922 with the availability of funds from Denver and the Colorado government. Construction proved to be hard due to solid rock, subterranean pressures that would cave the tunnel, and water that would burst in and flood the tunnel area. Construction was completed for a cost of $18 million dollars in 1927, and begins at the east side of the Continental divide near Rollinsville and connects 6.2 miles later to the base of  the ski area of Winter Park, Colorado. Over time control of the tunnel changed hands many times, and in 1996 the Union Pacific Railroad gained control of the tunnel.  Today the Union Pacific Railroad uses the tunnel as a rail route to transport coal, freight, and water to and from Colorado’s Front Range. The rail is also used for the year round SKI TRAIN that transports skiers to and from Denver to the ski resort of Winter Park, and the west portal at the base of the ski area has become a popular icon to the town of  Winter Park and the Moffat Tunnel.