154 years ago an event happened that would change the economy of Colorado forever, gold was discovered! Over 100,000 people flocked to Colorado as the new gold rush began. Though the initial rush lasted only a few years, other materials became profitable as well. First gold, then silver, zinc, copper, and other minerals followed after. Each major vein or veins in a region were blocked off into districts. These districts could be found all over Colorado Territory from Durango to Loveland and from Glenwood Springs to Lakewood. Within each district were hundreds to thousands of private claims of one person or one family trying to strike it rich. Many busted, but the larger mines bought up the land and rallied enough labor to dig down into the rock hundreds of feet deep following the gold veins.
One District, known as the Clear Creek district, was centered around Georgetown where the present day Georgetown Loop Railroad runs. Only a few miles to the Northeast of Georgetown lies Black Hawk. In between were several smaller towns that were served by several railroads. Downieville, Lawson, Empire, and Idaho Springs sit in between the two larger towns in the district. Silver Plume lies to the West of Georgetown by only 2 miles, however the dramatic and steep climb that the train had to take to get to Silver Plume required a loop in the narrow valley that acted like a helix, lifting the train up the valley across a tall steel bridge famous for being called the Devil's Gate.
Several railroads operated in the district; the Colorado Central was the largest however. These railroads were all narrow gauge which allows for trains to negotiate the steep terrain better than their larger 4' 8.5" gauge cousins. Because of the abundance and the variety of trains in the area, Colorado is a modeler's version of heaven. Even today, 9 major tourist Railroads still operate in the state with equipment representing every decade from the 1890's to the 1950's. In addition, several regional and commercial freight lines still exist today. What results is that even in 2013, someone can still accurately depict any point in Colorado railroad history. But one question still remains, with such a rich history, how does one depict Colorado while also capturing it's rich heritage and legend?
Well I believe I have found a simple solution, pseudo-prototype modeling. What I mean is that even though I'm looking at historical pictures, the models will be displayed in a fashion that best displays the image of Colorado railroading. In addition, I want the public to be able to learn from this railroad, understand the aspects of mining and the people who worked in the districts. Finally, I want my models to be in a setting that draws attention. I want realism in a dramatized scene, and I want to feel, smell and hear the sounds of the mining camps, the mines, and the railroads.
I therefore have found what is perhaps the best method of combining everything I want in a railroad. I'll be modeling in Fn3 scale, which is 1:20.3 scale trains running on gauge 1 (45mm) track depicting 3 foot gauge. Actual gauges varied railroad to railroad from 3ft to 12in gauge, but the Fn3 (3ft gauge) is the best commercially available scale that meets my standards. Currently, I have several pieces of equipment that runs on gauge 1 track, however I only have three pieces that are the right scale, and one piece is from a different era. Finally, Fn3 scale is very large, and in a train show or at a historical event, a large scale display is hard to miss.
I want the layout to be portable, so I will be looking at modular or sectional layout options. The easier to set up, the more sturdy, and the cheaper the build, the better. This also allows me to expand, contract, or rearrange the layout whenever I please. However, this can be challenging because Fn3 is not exactly light footed. In order to give a more realistic and authentic feel, plus bring down the costs, I will be scratch building and kit bashing (perhaps some dumpster diving) much of the layout's buildings, track, details and trees.
Lastly, I want the layout to evoke feeling, emotion, and an understanding for the brave and hearty men women and children who, despite the harsh conditions, constant danger, and the complete remoteness of the region still hung on to carry forward the American Dream. If people walk away knowing and comprehending what life was like, the layout will be success.
So it is with great pleasure that announce the birth of the Bard Creek Railroad, a fictional 3ft, narrow gauge, railroad southwest of Empire that interchanges with the Colorado Central while serving the small mines that dot the area which the larger CC railroad simply passed over in favor of the larger mines closer to Georgetown. The Bard Creek's major competitor in later years is the Argentine Central that originated in 1905. While Bard Creek will generally represent 1880's, I want to give a sort of overall story which tells the rise and fall of the line, similar to the other railroads in the area.
I can feel that this project will be fun, exciting, and educational. Stay tuned for more and have a good day!
One District, known as the Clear Creek district, was centered around Georgetown where the present day Georgetown Loop Railroad runs. Only a few miles to the Northeast of Georgetown lies Black Hawk. In between were several smaller towns that were served by several railroads. Downieville, Lawson, Empire, and Idaho Springs sit in between the two larger towns in the district. Silver Plume lies to the West of Georgetown by only 2 miles, however the dramatic and steep climb that the train had to take to get to Silver Plume required a loop in the narrow valley that acted like a helix, lifting the train up the valley across a tall steel bridge famous for being called the Devil's Gate.
Several railroads operated in the district; the Colorado Central was the largest however. These railroads were all narrow gauge which allows for trains to negotiate the steep terrain better than their larger 4' 8.5" gauge cousins. Because of the abundance and the variety of trains in the area, Colorado is a modeler's version of heaven. Even today, 9 major tourist Railroads still operate in the state with equipment representing every decade from the 1890's to the 1950's. In addition, several regional and commercial freight lines still exist today. What results is that even in 2013, someone can still accurately depict any point in Colorado railroad history. But one question still remains, with such a rich history, how does one depict Colorado while also capturing it's rich heritage and legend?
Well I believe I have found a simple solution, pseudo-prototype modeling. What I mean is that even though I'm looking at historical pictures, the models will be displayed in a fashion that best displays the image of Colorado railroading. In addition, I want the public to be able to learn from this railroad, understand the aspects of mining and the people who worked in the districts. Finally, I want my models to be in a setting that draws attention. I want realism in a dramatized scene, and I want to feel, smell and hear the sounds of the mining camps, the mines, and the railroads.
I therefore have found what is perhaps the best method of combining everything I want in a railroad. I'll be modeling in Fn3 scale, which is 1:20.3 scale trains running on gauge 1 (45mm) track depicting 3 foot gauge. Actual gauges varied railroad to railroad from 3ft to 12in gauge, but the Fn3 (3ft gauge) is the best commercially available scale that meets my standards. Currently, I have several pieces of equipment that runs on gauge 1 track, however I only have three pieces that are the right scale, and one piece is from a different era. Finally, Fn3 scale is very large, and in a train show or at a historical event, a large scale display is hard to miss.
I want the layout to be portable, so I will be looking at modular or sectional layout options. The easier to set up, the more sturdy, and the cheaper the build, the better. This also allows me to expand, contract, or rearrange the layout whenever I please. However, this can be challenging because Fn3 is not exactly light footed. In order to give a more realistic and authentic feel, plus bring down the costs, I will be scratch building and kit bashing (perhaps some dumpster diving) much of the layout's buildings, track, details and trees.
Lastly, I want the layout to evoke feeling, emotion, and an understanding for the brave and hearty men women and children who, despite the harsh conditions, constant danger, and the complete remoteness of the region still hung on to carry forward the American Dream. If people walk away knowing and comprehending what life was like, the layout will be success.
So it is with great pleasure that announce the birth of the Bard Creek Railroad, a fictional 3ft, narrow gauge, railroad southwest of Empire that interchanges with the Colorado Central while serving the small mines that dot the area which the larger CC railroad simply passed over in favor of the larger mines closer to Georgetown. The Bard Creek's major competitor in later years is the Argentine Central that originated in 1905. While Bard Creek will generally represent 1880's, I want to give a sort of overall story which tells the rise and fall of the line, similar to the other railroads in the area.
I can feel that this project will be fun, exciting, and educational. Stay tuned for more and have a good day!
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