Colorado Midland Railway Engineering Report

[Dave V]

I'm sure you've stated it but I want to make sure;

this is a standard gauge layout yes?

Yes.  The Colorado Midland was the first standard gauge railroad to cross the Colorado Rockies.

[Dave V]

[crrcoal]

Thought you might be interested in this Dave...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Slide-D-RGW-Rio-Grande-Narrow-Gauge-Scene-at-Durango-CO-July-1963/371961055893?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3Df014fda749ea4a619847e3b6213fe280%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D371961056030

[Dave V]

For someone who is alleged to have left N scale, I managed to do quite a bit of work on an N scale layout...  I have procrastinated on the mountain in the corner for so long because I was dreading doing the blasted-rock tunnel portals.  First pass looks okay to me.

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The other side has the typical model-railroad wooden portals.  I don't think the Midland had any wooden portals, but I doubt I'll lose sleep over it.  In the background you can see various "platforms" for structures.

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[Philip H]

Fire in the Hole!

Looks good.

And we knew you weren't leaving N Scale - you haven't sold off your Pennsy.   

[Dave V]

I do wish my working space looked half as neat as @Chris333 !

[Chris333]

I do wish my working space looked half as neat as @Chris333 !

My secret is to crop photos 

[Dave V]

One of the elements necessary to "sell" this scene as a turn-of-the-century Colorado mining operation is the ubiquitous headframe.  This is the Micro Engineering "Poor Boy Mine" kit that now feeds a Campbell Scale Models stamp mill.

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[Dave V]

More progress shots.  I got really tired of seeing exposed pink foam and--while I have every intent of adding masonite fascia--painting it black helps make it look a little more finished.

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The red stamp mill goes on the slot in the foam (paint was still wet when I shot this).

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I had to lower the blasted rock tunnel portals a hair...they would have been roomy for double stacks!  Anyway, roughing in the first texture coat.  The rocks will need to be detail painted.  About 70% of what you see rock-wise was hand-carved using my "rock goop" mixture of Sculptamold, hydrocal, and latex paint.

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[casmmr]

WOW!!!!

[Dave V]

Thanks!  I'm hoping to have it finished by the end of summer for the fall train show season.

Although I have some structure, car, and detail projects yet to go, the following projects need to be completed before I'd be comfortable bringing this to a show:

1)  Finish rock painting
2)  Finish ground cover
3)  Finish & plant ~100 trees (this is less onerous than it sounds since most are just bottle-brush pines that need to be flocked)
4)  Pour the river
5)  Fascia

I estimate I can get (1) done tonight and (2) this weekend.  Quite possibly I can get a leg up on (3) as well.  To do (4) I need to finish the riverbed.  (5) is relatively easy but I don't think I have enough Masonite on hand...I'll have to pick up more.

[Dave V]

More progress...  Rock painting and ground cover.

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[svedblen]

Really nice!   

[Dave V]

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[davefoxx]

That's an awesome shot, Dave.

DFF