C&S Clear Creek and High Lines

[eric220]

During the last discussion about my alternate history, I began to realize just how long it’s going to be, and what an uphill climb it’s going to be to before I break ground on 2.0. At the same time, the pull of the narrow gauge has been having an effect on me. Some months ago, I drew up plans for an Nn3 Georgetown Loop that was 72”x25”, making it a 2/3 scale model of the real thing. It was a simple design in a reasonable space, which is something I’m short on right now. I knew I wanted a continuous run, which would require a bit more space, since there’s 4” of rise and 6’ of travel to counteract. As I began working out in my head how much space return curves and elevation changes would take, I realized that there was space for another scene behind the loop, and perhaps a small scene on each end. I finally got back to the computer this week and came up with this:



The Gunnison branch from Como (behind the roundhouse) is a continuous running contingency. The layout would be operated as in the late days of the C&S. One train one day from Leadville over Boreas to Como, one train the next day to Denver, and then back the other way over the next two days. On the layout, a train departs from Como as the Denver bound train around the turn back toward Idaho Springs and comes back over the Loop and Boreas Pass as the inbound train from Leadville. The train would then be traded off for one waiting in the yard, and the layout would run in the other direction, with the outbound train to Leadville becoming the inbound train from Denver.

It’s grown quite a bit. It’s no longer an HCD, but rather a full 4x8 sheet of plywood. This was a proof of concept draft, and it proves that it can be done in the space I have.  It definitely cannot go any bigger, since even at this size, it would mean one of the short ends gets butted up against a wall, and it might not make sense to do Idaho Springs. I’m not sure if I’m actually going to build this bad boy, but there’s definite potential, especially if I can work out a way to make it less than 8’ long.

[Dave V]

[Dave V]

[Chris333]

If you flip the loop you won't be lookinh down into the scene.

[Dave V]

If you flip the loop you won't be lookinh down into the scene.

But then you would be running the wrong way.  Idaho Springs is below Georgetown.

[Cajonpassfan]

During the last discussion about my alternate history, I began to realize just how long it’s going to be, and what an uphill climb it’s going to be to before I break ground on 2.0. At the same time, the pull of the narrow gauge has been having an effect on me....
...
It’s grown quite a bit. It’s no longer an HCD, but rather a full 4x8 sheet of plywood. This was a proof of concept draft, and it proves that it can be done in the space I have.  It definitely cannot go any bigger, since even at this size, it would mean one of the short ends gets butted up against a wall, and it might not make sense to do Idaho Springs. I’m not sure if I’m actually going to build this bad boy, but there’s definite potential, especially if I can work out a way to make it less than 8’ long.

I like the way you introduced the grades (and got rid of that “other” railroad ) but if I understand this correctly, at this point I have to wonder what the point is of using a 4x8 sheet of plywood, or a flat sheet of anything? The setting is all about vertical scenery and trains on hillsides and rocky cliffs and canyons and it will require some kind of open framing to support all that, above and below the tracks. Perhaps the 4x8 sheet is just an imaginary boundary within which the 3D design is bound, but then I have to ask, why a 4x8 and not some other convenient shape and dimension? Maybe instead of a 4x8, it’s four individually framed sections bolted together? 4x8’s are awfully clumsy...just sayin’...
Have fun!
Otto K.

[eric220]

If you flip the loop you won't be lookinh down into the scene.

I’ve played around with flipping the loop the other way. As Dr. V pointed out, that would mean flipping Como around and swapping Idaho Springs and Boreas. The main problem that it causes is that both exits from the Loop move toward the middle longitudinally. Especially on the Idaho Springs end, that means turning toward the outside, then making a full 180 to get enough length to make the scene worth it, and to turn back around and meet the Denver branch from Como, which would also be toward the middle. Also, turning the loop around means viewing it from the angle of I70. I want to have that mountain face in the background to make it more interesting.

[eric220]

I like the way you introduced the grades but if I understand this correctly, at this point I have to wonder what the point is of using a 4x8 sheet of plywood, or a flat sheet of anything? The setting is all about vertical scenery and trains on hillsides and rocky cliffs and canyons and it will require some kind of open framing to support all that, above and below the tracks. Perhaps the 4x8 sheet is just an imaginary boundary within which the 3D design is bound, but then I have to ask, why a 4x8 and not some other convenient shape and dimension? Maybe instead of a 4x8, it’s four individually framed sections bolted together? 4x8’s are awfully clumsy...just sayin’...
Have fun!
Otto K.

I meant that the size was a 4x8 sheet of plywood, drawing the comparison to a minimalist HO layout. The thought of building it such that each of the four scenes come off is definitely in my mind. Just being able to take the Loop outside and use it as a photo diorama would make it worth it.

[eric220]

Very nice, but a little more like this:

[eric220]

By the way, if anyone is interested in what the tracks at Como and Boreas really looked like:

http://www.ross-crain.com/rr_dsp1bc-tracks.htm

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oooh! I'm excited to see someone else joining the JFRTM camp!

[eric220]

I meant that the size was a 4x8 sheet of plywood, drawing the comparison to a minimalist HO layout. The thought of building it such that each of the four scenes come off is definitely in my mind. Just being able to take the Loop outside and use it as a photo diorama would make it worth it.

So I had another thought along these lines, and it's one that solves my space problem.  If I build this as a modular layout, I should be able to make it such that the largest module is 6' long and 25" deep, and the rest significantly smaller.  The Loop will be a relatively tall scene, but Como, Boreas, and Idaho Springs will be pretty flat.  Really the only height will be structures, the tallest of which is the monstrous two-story Como Eating House (Hotel).  It means more engineering, but it also drastically increases the chances of this beast getting built!

[davefoxx]

A layout in a series of shadow boxes.  I love it, because this is what I intend to do for an On30 ET&WNC Ry. layout, although mine will likely be one shadow box, due to the size of the scale I'd be working in.  Anyhow, I say dooooooooooooo it . . . and now.

DFF

[wm3798]

This will be most gratifying.  Nothing like focusing your focus on something you can focus on!

Now build.  Enough with the graph paper and chin rubbing.

Lee

[Hawghead]

Very nice, but a little more like this:

Now that's strippin' her back!

Eric,
So this is going to be in Nn3?

Scott