On June 9, 1880, the competition between railroads heated up in Buena Vista as the Denver and Rio Grande finally made it to town. Only three months behind their competition, the Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad, the D&RG established the second narrow-gauge railroad in the area. After clawing its way through the Royal Gorge and undergoing years of legal battles and even gunfights with the Santa Fe Railroad, the Denver & Rio Grande had finally secured this coveted passage, linking Pueblo with Leadville via Salida and Buena Vista.

This wasn't just a route; it was a lifeline. The Denver and Rio Grande served as a vital artery for the booming mining industry, with mineral-laden cars rattling down the tracks from Leadville. Farmers from the valley shipped their produce, merchants unloaded goods, and travelers embarked on journeys across the Rockies. The rhythmic chug of the steam engine became the heartbeat of Buena Vista, pulsating with industry and possibility.

The railroad itself embraced change. In 1888, it transformed into a three-rail system, accommodating both narrow and standard-gauge vehicles. By the early 1920s, it fully transitioned to standard gauge, reflecting the evolving needs of the region. Through mergers with the Rio Grande Western and later Union Pacific, the Denver and Rio Grande solidified its place as a major transportation network.

Yet, for Buena Vista, the final chapter came in 1997. The last train rumbled through, leaving behind a silent iron thread as a poignant reminder of a bygone era. While passenger service had ceased years earlier, the railroad's closure symbolized a significant shift in the town's lifeblood.

However, the Denver and Rio Grande's legacy endures. Its tracks stand as silent sentinels to the spirit of progress and human ingenuity that carved a path through this rugged valley. They whisper tales of miners laden with ore, merchants bustling with trade, and families seeking new horizons. Today, exploring these remnants, whether on foot or bicycle, offers a glimpse into a time when iron horses ruled the land and Buena Vista thrived on the rhythmic beat of the rails.