HOn3 Rio Grande Southern First District 1938-1945

[davefoxx]

Been giving this some thought.  The RGS was "busy" (by Colorado narrow gauge standards) during the era I want to model.  I may want to design an operating scheme for this thing early rather than ham-fist a dissatisfying one onto the layout after it's done.  Among the operations I'd want to include:

- Regularly scheduled Galloping Goose traffic
- Stock extras
- Through coal (from south of Rico heading to the D&RGW SG at Montrose) consigned to the Soviet Union
- Ore traffic (including uranium ore shipments...these would have been heavily gaurded extras with superiority)
- Mixed freight extras

And since I like steam passenger trains I may weave in a passenger run in place of a Goose now and then.  As of 1938 much of the railroad's passenger equipment still existed and had not all been modified for work train service.

I'm thinking of revising the SJC plan so that Rico (Montrose on the SJC) isn't stub-ended but rather loops for continuous running past a 2-3 track staging yard representing Durango and Ridgway.  It remains to be seen exactly what space I'll have when the walls are studded out.

First, I like the idea of thinking about operations before developing the track plan.  As you discovered with the JD, it can be difficult to operate the layout efficiently, if this is ignored.

Second, a loop in Rico would be a nice way to add flexibility to the track plan.  By slightly expanding the layout's footprint to accomplish this, you may also be able to slightly extend the mainline length and reduce the grades.

Third, is your house finished yet?  Let's get started!

DFF

[Dave V]

Oh man, this is hot...
http://blackstonemodels.com/loco/class70/class70.php

Agreed.  D&RG narrow gauge was "on par" with standard gauge in terms of technology and maintenance in that era too.  That's a damn good looking engine.  But...if I were modeling that era I would need a ton of class 56 and class 60 2-8-0s (think even smaller, like D&RGW 268).

Also, the one thing I'm not sure about with the SJC is the over/under situation. Was there actually much of that?

None on the RGS.  Yes on the D&RGW...particularly Mears Junction on the Marshall Pass line out of Salida.  But yeah, that flyover adds interest but presents a visual challenge that works against the RGS.

First, I like the idea of thinking about operations before developing the track plan.  As you discovered with the JD, it can be difficult to operate the layout efficiently, if this is ignored.

Second, a loop in Rico would be a nice way to add flexibility to the track plan.  By slightly expanding the layout's footprint to accomplish this, you may also be able to slightly extend the mainline length and reduce the grades.

Third, is your house finished yet?  Let's get started!

DFF

I stopped by the house today and they were framing out the basement.  It may be a while before I have final dimensions.  But I promise I'll share 'em when I get 'em!  I'm guessing about 11x13.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

None on the RGS.  Yes on the D&RGW...particularly Mears Junction on the Marshall Pass line out of Salida.  But yeah, that flyover adds interest but presents a visual challenge that works against the RGS.

Yeah. That's the type of thing I was thinking of.

Is there anyway to get rid of that? It looks like you might be able to just have it go straight along the back. The overpass "swoop" looks purely cosmetic.

[Dave V]

Yeah. That's the type of thing I was thinking of.

Is there anyway to get rid of that? It looks like you might be able to just have it go straight along the back. The overpass "swoop" looks purely cosmetic.

Were I modeling Marshall Pass it'd work, but yeah, as you say, it's purely cosmetic.  I can keep one line toward the back and one up front.  I kinda like having the track rising through that inside loop:



Where Malcolm has that "abandoned logging line" is perfect for the Ophir Loop, which should have the track rising from left to right on a 4% grade (I'd rather not exceed 3% on the model). 



His "San Juan Hill" area is the problem...  Too much grade and curvature.  I would like that area to look like Lizard Head Pass:



So, the crossover is necessary if I want the high point on the layout to be toward the back rather than the front.  But...there may be other possibilities.  Then again, the RGS never had any tunnels either...

The SJC is a great starting point for an interesting HOn3 layout but it is not the only option for my space or prototype.

[Cajonpassfan]

His "San Juan Hill" area is the problem...  Too much grade and curvature.  I would like that area to look like Lizard Head Pass:




The SJC is a great starting point for an interesting HOn3 layout but it is not the only option for my space or prototype.

Gosh, I'd hope so...the SJC track plan is so...seventies...
Good luck with the basement!
Otto K.

[Dave V]

Gosh, I'd hope so...the SJC track plan is so...seventies...
Good luck with the basement!
Otto K.

Thanks, and yeah, the SJC plan isn't without its weaknesses.  For starters, the yard in Montrose is utterly worthless the way it's laid out.  Not so much as a single passing siding.  My version would much more closely resemble the real Rico track arrangement:



Oh, BTW, the Rico depot has been offered by several companies in plastic.  With some added Campbell shingles, Grandt Line eaves and gables,and a proper paint job, a very convincing repro of the depot as it appears in the 40s can be had.  I know because I did it once before.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Wow. That lizard head pass photo.

Dude, that's gonna be tough, because look how OPEN it all is. There are no trees for hundreds of feet.

[Philip H]

Wow. That lizard head pass photo.

Dude, that's gonna be tough, because look how OPEN it all is. There are no trees for hundreds of feet.

True, but the SJC as built is not a forester's heaven either.

[Dave V]

Wow. That lizard head pass photo.

Dude, that's gonna be tough, because look how OPEN it all is. There are no trees for hundreds of feet.

I plan to tackle that with a combination of backdrops and forced-perspective trees.

[wcfn100]

Dave, do you have any of the volumes of The RGS Story? 


Jason

[Dave V]

Dave, do you have any of the volumes of The RGS Story? 


Jason

I have all of them between Ridgway and Dolores with the exception of the Telluride branch.   And since they are loaded with plans drawn by Mike Blazek I plan to save a little coin by scratch building and saving the Banta kits for the more complicated structures.

[wcfn100]

I have all of them between Ridgway and Dolores with the exception of the Telluride branch.   And since they are loaded with plans drawn by Mike Blazek I plan to save a little coin by scratch building and saving the Banta kits for the more complicated structures.

Okay, if you need any of the others, I will probably have them in a month or two.


Jason

[SSW7771]

I am watching with interest. We have a cabin on the other side of Owl Creek Pass to the East of Ridgway and love the area.

[Dave V]

Okay, if you need any of the others, I will probably have them in a month or two.


Jason

I think I'm interested.  I have to say they're not especially well written but my gosh, so many pictures and diagrams!

I'm planning on scratchbuilding trestles and some of the structures at Ophir...particularly the tram house and the small house at the end of the large trestle.  The plans and photos are in the books.  There's also s company that makes a jig for RGS trestle bents.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

True, but the SJC as built is not a forester's heaven either.

Good point, but it uses vertical terrain (rock walls, rock walls everywhere) in their place.

The scene Dave posted is nice open and rolling. It's not "mountains right next to the tracks" the way that much Colorado railroading is presented in model form.