WW&F visits the SR&RL

Over the holiday I had the chance to visit with Al Cherella and his On2 SR&RL. A wonderful visit and a great layout. I brought along my WW&F No. 7 and some cars to share. I was able to run them from Rangley to Farmington and back, a loooooong run on Al's layout. Sure beat the 10ft back and forth on the switching module. Picked up some good tips on adding pickups my Car Works No. 7. A project I need to get done in 2019. Great conversation. Looking forward to maybe another visit next year..............Al asked if I had room to expand....................

Western Expansion

I have been working on an addition to the Arroyo Tram, my On30 western mining excursion based loosely on the Gilpin Tram. The Gilpin Tram was a two foot mining railroad that connected with the Colorado Southern in Central City, Colorado. I've always enjoyed the Gilpin tram and at one time had a small On2 switching layout using some of the equipment.

I think the Gilpin Tram is a perfect fit for On30: Tight curves, lots of mines rather close together, lots of information and drawings of the equipment and buildings. There are ore cars available from GrandtLine, other similar cars from SlimRails, who also sells Gilpin style trucks, and shay conversion kits from Wiseman Model Services.

My addition started out as a 2 x 6 foot lightweight module base that I was going to use with a Virginia modular group. The group fell apart and I could never see myself going to trainshows just to hook up my modules. So, it has been sitting around just waiting to be used. I recently added the legs with rollers, which opened up its use for the Arroyo Expansion.

The expansion will include: A Gilpin Tram style engine house, a water tank, run around, storage track, blacksmith shop, firehouse, hardware store and assay office (last three will be kits from Wild West Models). It shouldn't take more than two years to get it all done! (At the rate I'm moving).

Here is what it looks like so far, turnouts and kits are "in the mail" so to speak.

Here is the Arroyo Tram II track plan

 

Tripple Gauge Progress

Wow, December is here! Time has flown by and I failed to get a post each month. So, a progress update. While the paint shop is still overloaded, I did manage to get something done for all three gauges. 1/4 inch scale, On3, On30, and On2.

First, the Arroyo Tram (On30) water car made it to the paint shop. Still needs lettering and weathering but is already busy hauling water to the mines that require a lower mineral content in their boiler water supply.

Next, I started a caboose kit a few weeks ago for the DC&L RY (On3). It is a laser kit by IMA, designed for On30/On3 use. The kit was close enough to the Tionesta Valley caboose that I have always liked, so I picked it up. Turns out the kit is similar to the TV caboose but not an exact copy. Comparisons to the drawing show minor differences. I doubt anyone will recognize the differences once built (few probably even know much about the TV RY). Several details are not included in the kit, such as end ladders, so I will have a little more work to do. Also need a better picture, it really isn't as short as it looks in the picture. More soon.

The never ending saga of the WW&F Combine continues. After painting the sides, I decided to do some repair work to fill air bubble holes and some missing door trim, then repaint the sides. Roof tin is next, then paint, then details, then paint, then windows, lettering and done!

Also underway is an 6 ft extension to the Arroyo Tram and a three cylinder conversion of the Bachmann shay. Pictures to come.......