From Denver you'll drive up Interstate 70 to Georgetown or Silver Plume, depending on where you want to pick up the narrow gauge railroad. The Georgetown Loop Railroad has only limited parking at Georgetown and no space for RV's.

At Silver Plume, there's parking for all.

The railroad's web site is www.georgetownloop.com, and it's loaded with good information on the history of the line, on schedules and ticket sales, and more.

I'd recommend taking the trip from Silver Plume down to Georgetown and then back up. On the way down, you can marvel at the scenery, and on the way up you can peak around corners and watch the Little Engine That Could.

Are there any best seats for the view? No, since the cars are mostly open.

Coming out of the yard at Silver Plume, you want to be looking out toward the interstate. Look down and see Clear Creek as the spring runoff gets into full sway. Later on, you'll want to be looking out the other side to peer down toward Georgetown, to get an appreciation of what sort of climb this railroad made back in the mining heydays.

This week we skipped a luncheon stop, at least on camera. There are some awfully good places in Georgetown. The Red Ram pre-dates my college days back in the mid 60s, and still serves up a mighty mean burger and brew.

Also in Georgetown, check out the Prague Cafe for some great European cuisine. Further down the road, in Idaho Springs, the Buffalo Restaurant serves up all varieties of buffalo, from steak to fajitas (and, of course, the requisite buffalo burger).

Photojournalist Steve Coppin said the burger with guacamole and bacon was one of the best he's ever had. The meatloaf I had also hit the spot, though the buffalo-vegetable soup was somewhat short on both veggies and buffalo.

You can come back home via US 6, and hassle with the gambling traffic below the 119 intersection from Blackhawk and Central City. Or you can come back via I-70 and take the Morrison exit, then double back toward Golden on Old Highway 40 and US 6. Either way, you'll have to go through Golden (which has plenty of history of its own) to get to the Colorado Railroad Museum.

It's east of the Coors Brewery at 17155 West 44th Avenue. And the number to call for information is (303)279-4591. The Museum is open from 9 to 5 most every day of the year, and stays open until 6 p.m. during the summer months. Here's where you can take a closer look at just about every form of railroad conveyance that rode the rails through the Rockies.

My favorite is the Galloping Goose, an odd bird of an train and engine all rolled up into one silver gray contraption. Remember that Railroad buffs are a special breed of people, and are generally just happy as all get out to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with you. If they get too carried away, just ask 'em about the weather (just kidding).