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The "before" image. The track that runs along the building makes a jog right at the switch. Kent carefully cut the
roadbed in two places about 6 inches apart. One cut 1/2 way from the top thought the top plywood, the other cut was 1/2
way from the bottom through the bottom plywood. Kent then pried the two plywood pieces apart. This means it can easily
re-glue it back together. Kent repositioned the entire switch assembly (switch motor, wiring , everything) so the track
now lines up correctly. This is all hand laid track. It moved about 1/8 inch closer to Salida so the existing rails can be
touched up and re-laid. (7/30/08) |
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The straight track after the switch that goes toward the backdrop (and toward Poncha) is now at a different angle.
If you extend the track straight, it would hit the backdrop over a foot from the tunnel cutout. Extending it hits the
backdrop about 4 inches from the tunnel cutout. This then shifts the entire curve from W. Salida to Poncha. (7/30/08) |
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The cork is tacked down for the old track layout. The switches and flex track are positioned for the new track layout.
The new track layout allows an inch or so of straight track before, between, and after the switches. It eliminated the
hard "S" shape and makes it a reasonable curve. (7/30/08) |
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The dual tracks around Barrel, outside main, inside DG, now complete. (4/01) |
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South ladder of Tom's totally handmade/scratchbuilt NG yard. (4/01) |
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The narrow gauge yard along side the mainline, with Salida NG Jct in the distance. (4/01) |
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The staging deck, about 18" below the Royal Gorge, provides storage and turn-around capability for our
standard gauge trains. (4/01) |
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This aerial view of the transfer yard was accomplished with Kent up in a balloon, hanging from his ankles. (4/01) |
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Hal extended the roadbed on the ends of the stub ended transfer yard to allow the track to end "in" the
backdrop, which will show the stockpens and the north end of the yard via the miracle of "paint". (4/01) |
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The copper ties here amidst the rest of these switch ties laid in the transfer yard ladder are made from PC board.
These ties are used to solder the frog, stock and point rails to keep the switch in gauge. (12/00) |
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The narrow gauge crossover (No. 4) with all the rails complete.(12/00) |
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Hal re-decaled the club's Consolidation, which was painted by Tom, and GaryR
installed the decoder, shown here on Hal's Arkansas River Bridge. (12/00) |
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Hal's Truss Bridge and general handiwork between Red Hill Tunnel and Parkdale. (12/00) |
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The switch ladder for the NG and SG sidings to the Mechanical Transfer. (12/00) |
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Hal's plate girder and deck bridges resemble prototype bridges between Salida & Parkdale. (12/00) |
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View from the Royal Gorge aisle way looking across Hal's Salida Thru-truss
bridge to Tom, working on spiking a dual gauge switch on the yard mainline. (9/00) |
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The switch ties for the narrow gauge crossover (No. 4) are laid and ready for
sanding, staining, and rails. The purpose of this crossover is to bring the
empty narrow gauge gondolas back from the rotary and into the narrow gauge yard.(9/00) |
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Another of GaryM's open deck trestles, along the line from Parkdale west towards Salida. Perspective is
west to the left, view facing north. (6/00) |
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Alignment of dual gauge switches to the north end of the Salida narrow gauge
yard (foreground). In the background lies the standard gauge transfer yard. (6/00) |
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Some of the tie work, entering the Salida yard. The narrow gauge yard is to the left.(6/00) |
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View from Salida transfer yard showing stained ties, with Mechanical Transfer in
distance (top), about 30 feet away.
(12 October 1999) |
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Double mainline roadbed installed around the Mechanical Transfer
(12 October 1999) |
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Front of layout (right), shows winding route to follow the Arkansas River.
(12 October 1999) |
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Trestles #1 and #3 temporarily in place, with rails not yet installed. Trestles
#2 and #4 will be placed in the cut out areas of the forward roadbed. (12 October 1999) |
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Detail of Trestle #1, note the "bumps" on the guard timbers and bents are nut-bolt-washers (NBWs).
(12 October 1999) |
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Cardboard model of the Mechanical Transfer at Barrel, CO, used to transfer
narrow gauge gondola loads to standard gauge. Model, built by Kent Hoilman, is
being used temporarily to aid in roadbed grade installation and placement. (6 October 1999) |
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The Code 70 rail along the gorge route (which the engine is on) has been all
handlaid and spiked. Between the track and the upper level will be a high
backdrop which will rise higher to the back corner, to form the Royal Gorge.
Hanging Bridge will be just where the track appears to end just in front of the
Paint Cabinet. The helix will be behind the backdrop and help support it. The
track coming off the top of the helix will exit the east portal of Tennessee
Pass, and the helix will be hidden by a mountain on this side. A passing track
of ties awaiting its rail to be emplaced, was added to the line through the
gorge, which doesn't exist in the real gorge, but will enable us more capability
for operations. (6 October 1999) |
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Roadbed on left: Standard Gauge mainline exiting uphill (northward) from Salida
to Tennessee Pass (portal at top of helix). Roadbed on right: Standard Gauge
mainline from Royal Gorge to Parkdale (Hanging Bridge is at helix exit). (20 May 1999) |
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Helix roadbed completed. (17 May 1999) |
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Platform for Salida turntables, transfer and narrow gauge yards. Barrel
Transfer (at Mile Post 214), goes on inside of peninsula. The reverse loop on
the staging deck (under peninsula) still under construction. (28 April 1999) |
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A lefthand dual gauge turnout with 3rd rail on the "right". |
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Gary Riffle cutting benchwork supports while Hal Zimbelman inspects the framing. (March 1999) |
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Kent Hoilman and Robert Sampson reviewing the "blueprint". (March 1999) |
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The inaugural benchwork frame, which will support the Rotary Transfer at Barrel,
CO., and the Standard Gauge loop from Parkdale to Salida. Length is 31' 6". (January 16, 1999) |
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The other half of the Standard Gauge loop, ending in the helix (box)- Royal Gorge to Parkdale runs
along the side next to the wall. The line running from Salida to Tennessee Pass (helix) runs opposite.
The framework is 19' 9" from end to end. (January 16, 1999) |
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