I drove the west side of Rollins Pass in Sept 2019, and it is still very much as Russo recalls. Most of the route follows the railroad grade, except for a steeper section bypassing the loop and trestle at Riflesight Notch. The bridge is in decent shape:
Aptly named:
There is a parking area near the summit. From there, you can walk along the grade to the summit tunnel, and/or drive the narrow, rocky Jeep trail for the final mile. With the tunnel collapsed and no motor vehicle connection, it's a bummer that you can't drive a Rollins through-trip. But you do get nice views of the east grade from the summit:
The summit hiking path along the west grade includes some great rock cuts...
... and twin trestles above treeline, in excellent condition:
Rollins Pass is highly recommended if you're around Winter Park. Someday soon I hope to drive the east grade, and/or make a through-trip by bicycle.