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Railmark Grant and Black Hawk Engineering

Writer: Kyle Colby
Kyle Colby
5 days ago
4 min read

Building Momentum: Railmark Pledges $50,000 Matching Grant as Black Hawk Railroad Planning Advances

Two important developments highlight the growing momentum behind efforts to preserve and restore railroad heritage in Colorado's historic mining communities.


CENTRAL CITY, COLORADO — October 2026

The Colorado Central Railroad & Mining Museum (CCRRMM) is pleased to share two important developments in the ongoing effort to preserve and revitalize Colorado's railroad history: a significant matching-grant pledge from Railmark Holdings' B. Allen Brown and continued progress toward a potential historic rail connection involving Black Hawk and Central City.

Together, these developments demonstrate the value of private support, professional railroad expertise, and collaboration with local government in advancing Colorado's railroad preservation efforts.


Railmark's $50,000 Matching Grant: An Opportunity to Double Our Impact

The museum is excited to announce that B. Allen Brown, Chairman, President & CEO of Railmark Holdings, has pledged to match eligible donations up to $50,000.

If fully matched under the agreed campaign terms, this commitment would provide up to $100,000 in combined funding for the museum's mission.

Railmark Holdings is an established railroad services and development company with extensive experience across the rail industry. Its founder, B. Allen Brown, has worked in railroad acquisitions, development, operations, and revitalization throughout his career.

For the Colorado Central Railroad & Mining Museum, this commitment represents more than financial assistance. It is an encouraging demonstration of confidence in the importance of preserving railroad history and in the potential of the museum's restoration initiatives.

The museum's work combines historical interpretation, preservation of railroad equipment, infrastructure restoration, and educational outreach. The matching-grant opportunity provides a powerful incentive for individuals and organizations to support these efforts.

Donations will help advance the museum's ongoing preservation mission, including work associated with its historic railroad equipment, depot facilities, and railroad infrastructure, subject to the final terms of the matching commitment.

Planning for a Rail Connection Between Black Hawk and Central City

Alongside this exciting fundraising development, planning work associated with the historic railroad corridor continues to demonstrate the potential for broader regional heritage rail development.

On June 26, 2024, the City of Black Hawk approved Resolution No. 57-2024, authorizing a professional services agreement with 360 Rail Services, LLC, for design services associated with the Black Hawk Rail Line project.


This formal engineering initiative marks an important step toward evaluating potential railroad infrastructure in a region where rail transportation once played a defining role in the growth of Colorado's mining economy.

360 Rail Services provides specialized railroad engineering, design, construction, and infrastructure services. Its expertise includes track design, rail facilities, geospatial work, and railway project development.


Engineering and design work provides the technical foundation needed to evaluate potential alignments, physical constraints, infrastructure requirements, and future construction considerations.


The museum looks forward to continued dialogue and cooperation around the long-term vision of reconnecting these historically linked communities through railroad heritage.

It is important to distinguish engineering and planning activity from an approved or completed rail connection. Future construction, funding, approvals, and operating arrangements remain separate milestones.


Restoring the Colorado Central Railroad: Progress on the Ground

The Colorado Central Railroad & Mining Museum has already undertaken meaningful work at its Central City site.

As documented in the museum's August 2024 project update, approximately 1,500 feet of track had been constructed along the historic railroad right-of-way, including a switch and siding to support future railroad activities.

The museum has also announced the acquisition of a 1958 General Electric 25-ton diesel locomotive intended to support construction and maintenance operations following restoration.

Additional acquisitions include five Denver & Rio Grande narrow-gauge freight cars: two boxcars, two high-side gondolas, and one drop-bottom gondola.

Meanwhile, work associated with the historic depot and section house represents another important part of the museum's preservation mission.

These efforts are foundational steps toward creating an educational railroad experience where visitors can encounter Colorado's transportation and mining heritage firsthand.


Why This Project Matters to Colorado

Railroads were indispensable to the development of Colorado's mountain communities.

They transported ore, equipment, building materials, supplies, and passengers through difficult terrain, helping connect remote mining settlements with regional and national markets.

Central City and Black Hawk were among the communities transformed by rail transportation during the mining era.

Today, restoring and interpreting this legacy offers opportunities to preserve historically important artifacts, create educational experiences, support heritage tourism, and strengthen appreciation for the region's history.

The Colorado Central Railroad & Mining Museum aims to ensure these stories remain accessible to future generations.


Community Support Makes Preservation Possible

Major preservation initiatives require more than enthusiasm. They depend on sustained fundraising, thoughtful engineering, skilled craftsmanship, committed volunteers, and cooperation across public and private organizations.

Railmark's matching-grant pledge creates an important opportunity for the community to participate in that mission.

Whether you are a lifelong railroad enthusiast, a resident of Gilpin County, a supporter of historic preservation, or someone who simply believes that Colorado's history deserves to be protected, your involvement matters.

Together, we can help preserve Colorado's railroad past while creating new opportunities for future generations to experience it.


Help Us Meet the Matching Challenge

Join the Colorado Central Railroad & Mining Museum in working toward the $50,000 matching-grant opportunity.

Your support can help preserve historic railroad equipment, restore important structures, advance railroad infrastructure, and strengthen the museum's educational mission.

Support the Colorado Central Railroad & Mining Museum.

[DONATE / SUPPORT THE PROJECT]

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