Colorado Midland Railway Engineering Report

[nuno81291]

Wow Dave the layout is looking great! The scenery has really come along nicely. My only critique pertains to the backdrop; do you intend to get another one that extends lower on the trestle side? Other than the wall gap this is looking extremely hawt! Making me want to model some mountainous terrain..

[Dave V]

Wow Dave the layout is looking great! The scenery has really come along nicely. My only critique pertains to the backdrop; do you intend to get another one that extends lower on the trestle side? Other than the wall gap this is looking extremely hawt! Making me want to model some mountainous terrain..

That's been discussed...  I may have to print something just for the gap that represents a closer ridgeline and put it below but on top of the existing backdrop.  I'm not sure it needs another full 10-foot backdrop!  For now it doesn't bother me any.  That trestle scene is really only visible from the side or if I have the layout at a show where there will be no backdrop.

[nuno81291]

A small piece as an overlay down there would certainly be nice! Wasn't trying to push any buttons 

[milw12]

Very nice Dave! I didn't realize how far along this layout has come along, the fascia really sells it, a nice professional look. I also thought you just started this layout recently and not two and a half years ago, so there's that too

[Dave V]

Very nice Dave! I didn't realize how far along this layout has come along, the fascia really sells it, a nice professional look. I also thought you just started this layout recently and not two and a half years ago, so there's that too

Thanks for the kind words!

This has been the slowest layout build I've ever done.  For perspective, the original Juniata Division took 8 months.  The now-defunct Enola Yard section took nine months (mainly due to my procrastination on powering all the turnout frogs).  Other layouts I've built have taken just a few months (2 others in HO, 2 others in N, 1 in G).  I have little explanation for my slowness with the Midland other than 1) I already had the Pennsy Juniata Division and was doing work on PRR car and locomotive projects at the same time, 2) I built (and then dismantled) a G scale garden railroad that became a maintenance nightmare, and 3) I was very hesitant to try Colorado high-country scenery.  I've done eastern railroading and I think I have a decent handle on recreating summertime in central Pennsylvania, but Colorado--OTOH--actually has even more variety in texture and color, and during the autumn has a challenging mix of dry and lush vegetation depending on elevation, which side of the mountain, etc.  I'm still not 100% happy with how this scenery has come out, but I'll keep on tweaking it until I feel better about it.

Colorado's very brief autumn will be here in two months, so I'll have more opportunities for research trips into the high country!

[jereising]

And don't forget you had a move in there...

[Dave V]

And don't forget you had a move in there...

Of course!  Yes, in fact the CMRy spent two months in a storage unit, atop the storage crate containing the Juniata Division.

[Dave V]

[casmmr]

Dave, you do wonderful work, look forward to your videos of the CM Rwy.  Have fun and enjoy, only wish I was closer so I could see it in person at a show.  later, Craig

[Dave V]

Dave, you do wonderful work, look forward to your videos of the CM Rwy.  Have fun and enjoy, only wish I was closer so I could see it in person at a show.  later, Craig

Thanks!

[Dave V]

Okay, having that second loco lettered for the Beano (B&O) was bumming me out, so I decided it was time to letter it as another CMRy 2-8-0.   In my era most of the locos had a simple scheme (the one you see on the 34 in the video) with a big number on the tender and the lettering "COLORADO MIDLAND" above.  I have lettered a few engines like that and decided to tray something different.

Now, in the late 1800s the Midland had a very beautiful and elaborate scheme:

https://brasstrains.com/Classic/Product/Detail/058946/HO-Brass-Model-Train-MEW-CM-Colorado-Midland-2-8-0-Steam-49-Pro-Custom

I worked hard to try to do the artwork for that and even had the decal film on hand.  I was never satisfied with how it looked so I decided that since the Athearn 2-8-0 isn't really a good representation of the CMRy Class 136 anyway (in fact the whole layout is a great big foobie) I would "approximate" the scheme with what decals I had on hand.  So, the before shot:

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

And what I came up with:

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Although it isn't as elaborate, I like how it looks.  I think it'll look good once Dullcoted.  I also had to paint that air pump.

[wazzou]

I'd paint that boiler blackhead inside the cab black too.

[Dave V]

I'd paint that boiler blackhead inside the cab black too.

Excellent point.  The unfortunate thing about that is that I'll have to disassemble the locomotive completely in order to remove the cab.  I've had issues with that in the past, and I think I want to keep this guy in one piece.

[Dave V]

The difference in lettering schemes for locomotives is illustrated:

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Pamela Clapp]

Dave, I am definitely interested in seeing this article. We'd love to feature it in N-Scale Magazine. Just let me know when you're ready, and we'll get it scheduled.