Just wondering if there are any trainboard members out there from the Colorado Springs area. It looks like my next duty station will be at Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs. My intent is to find a nice basement with a house on top and start builidng the second version of the Boise Sub Division.
I don't know if any N scalers in the Springs are on ANY lists but there is a club there,Pikes Peak Ngineers and I've seen some fine modeling in N scale by them.
Tony- I was stationed at Carson, 98-01. The Springs is a great area tons of stuff to do. I went from there to Hawaii, and I'll always miss the Springs way more than I'll ever miss Hawaii. Railfaning in the area is great, there are lots of UP and BNSF trains on the Joint line between Denver and Pueblo. When I was there it was mostly Coal porters though. Of course everyone knows about all the main Fanning locations, but I'd recommend getting a Jeep or similar small 4x4. Probably the most fun I had in Colorado was driving on old railroad grades that are now improved dirt trails. Most of these lines serviced old mining areas and every so often you come across a neat ghost town/mine. The old Moffat Line is good fun, not the tunnel but the old switchbacks that crossed the mountains before the tunnel was built. If you like to Ski, you can Railfan while riding the mountain at Winter Park. Pikes peak Ngineers is a nice ntrak club. There used to be a Shop in the old Springs Freight depot that sold only N scale. Nice guy who ran it, but I'd be surprised if it was still there. Caboose hobbies on the south side of Denver is a must. An absolute amazing train store, especially in this day and age of Hobby stores going to out of business. You will have a great time in the Springs, Peterson AFB is pretty nice. Many of the Houses in C/S have basements, especially out on the east side where there are lot's of newer developments. Be ready for I-25, when you go to Denver. It can take 45-60 minutes or Two hours depending on traffic. EAGLE2 on here is a retired 19D, we were in the same unit at Carson Last I heard he actually works on Peterson. Best of luck, if you have any other questions let me know. And by the way you were right about AC/RC, I can not wait to get out of here.... Brad Culligan
Tony, If you decide to come up to Denver to go to Caboose Hobbies your welcome to stop by, I'm on the North side of town.
hello tony, i'm in canon city about 35 minutes to the south west (you'll find canon city where the royal gorge is - this will make sense to you when you get in the area). some good N scalers in C. Springs, and three train stores. still, caboose in denver is one of your best sources for details, structures, and variety of rolling stock, etc. be safe. get here soon. you'll like it here. dave freehling p.s. take john (widmar) up on his invitation -- fantastic modeler and fantastic layout!
In December, perhaps the Ski Train will be back in operation? Hopefully, you will get plenty of time off for R&R. You have earned it! I'd suggest taking weekend trips on the CZ to SLC or the Ski Train to wherever in the mountains. The trip West from Denver up & thru the Moffat Tunnel can't be beat. Try to get a copy of "Never on Wednesday" or any book about the old D&RGW Zephyr. Later, perhaps you can have time to explore the Narrow Gague circle. I forget how many tourist roads Colorado-New Mexico still have in operation. Pikes Peak makes a good day trip, then you have the Gorge.
Tony, Harry here in Colorado Springs ... (Actually Security) It's a definite buyers market in this town. Don't let a real estate broker tell you there's no such thing as a house with a basement in this town. I went through that scenerio with them back in `86 when I was transferred up from Ft. Hood, Tx to Ft. Carson. I went through six real estate people before I finally got one who had what I wanted. The best place to look is in the Security/Widefield area where most of the houses have decent basements -- mine is roughly 1,092 sq ft and all layout! (with sufficient room for the washer and dryer of course) I bought the house brand new -- specified to the agent at the time -- "Stripped to the bare concrete walls and floor..." That's why I went through six agents, the others tried selling everything but what I wanted. From where I am at off Hancock and Main Str. it'd be a rough twenty minute drive to "Pete" Field up Powers Blvd -- thirty out to Shriver Air Base -- or thirty by way of Academy (Suicide Alley) Blvd. to the "Mountain" as we call it around here. There are two very good hobby shops -- Discount Trains aka Sunbird Train Mart and Custom Railway -- Addresses are in the MR or RMC and RMJ. Hope this helps give you some idea what is out here -- Oh, get ready to winterize the car or whatever you drive. We got hit three times last winter with snow between Sept 21 and Oct 31 (the traditional Holloween blizzard). I work at Lockheed-Martin and we got dumped on on Oct 25, axle deep to my Jeep. I was one of six who made it in that morning (0600) got turned around at the door -- The security officer told me: "Offices are closed..." Huh? That's a first around here. Anyway, e-mail me if you need anything else ... # # # hed
Tony, It'll be great to have you in the area. Like Charger said, I'm also in the area and currently work security out at Pete (OK, so I'm a gate guard, but...) You going to NorthCom or Army Space? Either way, I'm betting it'll be a good change of pace for you. Another shop to try will be Train Showcase, in the old Rio Grande station downtown. Ron, the owner, is a long time N scaler and he actually only stocks N scale. Look forward to hearing more and maybe getting together sometime.
Harry, welcome to Trainboard. Tony, just get your butt back here safely, man. We appreciate much more than the press allows what you are doing for us. THANK YOU.
Last time I was there, looking around, Train Showcase was closed. With a sign that said by appointment only. Not sure if that's changed, or if he's even in business still. It's a 2 1/2 hour drive for me to check though!! There's also Mizells, in Westminster. IF you don't mind rude employees and high prices! I've been there, needing help. Employees walk right by, headed to the back, for a smoke, or just to sit and talk to each other, instead of helping customers. I only go because he's closest place that carries Atlas O track. Comments based on personal experiences only. Also welcome to come up to Longmont for whatever reason(s) if you choose to! Can always use the help in building and eventual operation of an N Scale layout!
