HOn3 Rio Grande Southern First District 1938-1945

[Rich_S]

I didn't hear "Rye-oh" at all out in RGS country.

Thanks Dave for the additional info. Just as I had feared, the folks for some unknown reason were mispronouncing the name on the DVD. You have to wonder why? But it's water over the dam now. I really like that bridge scene, fantastic modeling. two thumbs up.

[Mike C]

 Hey Dave , you mentioned the other day on FB that you use acrilic paints to weather your ties . Can you point me to the manufacturer and which colors you use ? I'm hoping to ballast in a couple weeks and really want to do something with the stock Micro Engineering track . Thanks ! .....Mike

[Dave V]

Hey Dave , you mentioned the other day on FB that you use acrilic paints to weather your ties . Can you point me to the manufacturer and which colors you use ? I'm hoping to ballast in a couple weeks and really want to do something with the stock Micro Engineering track . Thanks ! .....Mike

I use craft acrylic paints from Hobby Lobby.  Just go with some browns, grays, and tans.

[Mike C]

 Thanks Dave !

[Dave V]

I made a little progress...

...at Ophir (Bridge 45A),



(Please ignore the blue water...it was wet gloss medium that has since dried clear!)

...at Windy Point:





...and at Placerville:





And just for Schnitzengiggles I painted up and old Rail Line D&RGW 3000-series boxcar I built in high school (it needed a better paint job anyway) after Malcolm Furlow's San Juan Central RR boxcar #46.  This car appears in several photos in his series and book.  Mine's a little less beat up, but even in Malcolm's world the 46 was one of the more "pristine" of the SJC's rolling stock.  It might have been SJC's only car without a significant swayback.

[nuno81291]

Beautiful work... bridge and the cut scene look fantastic. Rock work is particularly attractive.

[packers#1]

Looking excellent as per the usual! The DRGW definitely ran through some gorgeous terrain

[Dave V]

Looking excellent as per the usual! The DRGW definitely ran through some gorgeous terrain

Thanks!

Although the D&RGW kinda-sorta controlled the RGS at various points in its life, it was operated as a separate company.  During my era it was under receivership with leadership separate from the D&RGW.

Beautiful work... bridge and the cut scene look fantastic. Rock work is particularly attractive.

Thanks!  The rocks are a combination of a bunch of stuff.  Rubber rocks, flexible foam rocks, not-flexible cast foam rocks, and hand carving.  The trestle was an interesting and fun build using a jig from Black Bear Scale Models (who sadly aren't in business anymore).   It follows RGS practice closely and is a horizontally (but not vertically) compressed model of the actual RGS Bridge 45A at Ophir.

[packers#1]

Thanks!

Although the D&RGW kinda-sorta controlled the RGS at various points in its life, it was operated as a separate company.  During my era it was under receivership with leadership separate from the D&RGW.

Whoops, I meant the RGS  My bad!

[eric220]

Denver and Rio Grande, Denver and Rio Grande Western (of which there were two), Rio Grande Western, Rio Grande Sounthern... Mergers, leases, controlling interests, name changes, who could possibly mix them up?

[packers#1]

Denver and Rio Grande, Denver and Rio Grande Western (of which there were two), Rio Grande Western, Rio Grande Sounthern... Mergers, leases, controlling interests, name changes, who could possibly mix them up?

They focus on math more on engineering school; that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it 

[nuno81291]

I would say most of note is that you conveyed the vibe of those large vistas, which I think can be a bit harder in HO versus N. That single track main looks like it is snaking through the high country and feels authentic. Do aspen trees grow in the area of your prototype? Few elements are as inspiring as a large trestle... must feel good to have this large segment get scenery treatment.

[Dave V]

I would say most of note is that you conveyed the vibe of those large vistas, which I think can be a bit harder in HO versus N. That single track main looks like it is snaking through the high country and feels authentic. Do aspen trees grow in the area of your prototype? Few elements are as inspiring as a large trestle... must feel good to have this large segment get scenery treatment.

Yep, I was dreading building those trestles but they actually ended up being easy and fun!  I've built and installed 3 so far; Bridge 45A, Bridge 45B, and Bridge 57B.

Lots of aspen trees along the RGS...they're on the to-do list!

[Brian M]

Dave,
This scene is coming together really nicely. You are capturing the look of southern Colorado quite well.

-Brian.

[Dave V]

Dave,
This scene is coming together really nicely. You are capturing the look of southern Colorado quite well.

-Brian.

Thanks!  It helps that I just did a field research trip with my Dad last month and followed the RGS grade from Ridgway to Dolores.  I brought back about 20 pounds of real dirt from the same scenes I'm modeling.