The Moffat Cup Display Project
By Brad Swartzwelter
NRHS member, Intermountain Chapter
Denver was isolated in 1903. A mere branch line to Transcontinental rail routes north and south. City leaders knew that their town was destined to be left behind as Pueblo, Santa Fe and others continued to rise in prominence.
Enter David Moffat, the wealthiest man in Colorado at the time. He decided to single handedly begin construction of a standard gauge steam road straight into the teeth of the Rocky Mountains. That bold and selfless act, if successful, would firmly plant Denver at the crossroads of western commerce, solidifying its place among the great capitals of the nation.
By 1904, as his rails climbed the escarpment of the Front Range, it was clear that Moffat’s grand endeavor was probably going to cost him all he had accumulated over his extraordinary life time. Leaders of Denver business and government were nearly powerless to help as Moffat struggled to defeat the Continental Divide, the massive financial challenge of turning the “Denver and Northwestern Railway Company” into reality and even man-made barriers created by devious interests. What they could do was offer encouragement.
Together, Denverites collected enough money to create a massive Cup of Appreciation: A 42-inch-tall 230-pound solid silver and marble symbol of what Moffat’s efforts meant to their community, and in many cases to them personally. The spectacular Cup with its intricate etching of scenes along the route was presented to Moffat on December 18, 1904 at a lavish ceremony within the State Capitol building.
As years passed, Moffat’s dream of a railway to the pacific slowed, and finally ended at the coal fields of Craig, Colorado. The man himself passed from this Earth in 1911 nearly broke, and some would even say “defeated”. But his railway was proving to be a lifeline for his adopted city of Denver. In decades that followed her citizens rose up to finally connect the Moffat Road with western lines and, at least in part, complete the dream Moffat envisioned. Naturally, they named the route’s central tunnel after the man that had given all he had for their benefit.
Much of Moffat’s troubles were caused by interference from competitive railroads controlled by eastern tycoons. Those unscrupulous profiteers would not even allow Moffat’s trains to use Denver’s immense Union Station, which they controlled. But Moffat had something those men lacked – devotion to others, and the fierce loyalty that all-important character trait buys. Moffat’s employees and friends never gave up on him, just as he always kept his word to them. That is the real reason the Moffat Road survived.
Today, 115 years after the great Cup was sculpted, there is just one inter-city train left running in and out of Denver – Amtrak’s California Zephyr. It is arguably America’s most scenic and best loved long-distance passenger route. That world-famous train exists because of David Moffat’s sacrifice. All other passenger trains from all other roads in Denver are gone. The men that tried to block Moffat at every turn have all been forgotten.
History Colorado has been charged with preserving the Moffat Cup since shortly after his death. Their work has kept this irreplaceable artifact in pristine condition. Now, thanks to contributions from many organizations and individuals, the Moffat Cup is currently proudly and safely displayed in the Great Hall of Denver Union Station – the very building men of power and wealth prevented Moffat from using during his life. How fitting! The Moffat Cup will stand as tribute to a man of integrity and honor. It will be housed where all those who enjoy his Road to this day traverse.
The Moffat Cup is currently on display outside the Amtrak Ticketing Office at Denver Union Station.
