So, I changed my mind and decided to model the Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek District Railway. Its the one I did when I was 14-16 years old. I think I can do a better job now. It was a standard gauge Ry Than ran between (you guessed it) Colo. Spgs. and Cripple Creek/Victor. It was a passenger line and did a lot of freight hauling for the huge gold and silver mines in CC and Victor. It started up in 1896 and ran until 1918, when a storm washed out the trestle over Bear Creek, making the whole thing useless... they sold the line for scrap in 1919. Anyway, enough history... As soon as I figure out how to post pictures off of my computer into posts, I have some pictures of a couple of their locomotives. I can't figure out exactly what it is because of the angle and could use every ones help figure outing what they are. Or, for the more adventurous among you, here is a link to a site that has some great photos of the line: http://rs6.loc.gov/ammem/award97/codhtml/hawpSubjects73.html As you can see, there are very few shots of actual trains, but I know exactly what the mines should look like, and I used to work in the old passenger depot in the springs, so I know how that should look. It'll take some bashing and scratchbuilding, but I think this time I can make a more reasonable approximation than I produced when I was an antsy, angsty, unfocused youth. Any and all comments and more importantly suggestions are welcomed and encouraged... Aaron
1918, right before it shut down. I know my choice of locos is going to be severely limited, especially with Kato beating feet away from steam... but I can probably find enough equipment used on e bay (even though I've never used it before) or shows or whatnot to make it worth my time.
This is intriguing: there were two railroads, and they were fighting eachother in a very strange way? ============================== View of the district yards for the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad in Victor (Teller County), Colorado. Shows rail cars toppled on the tracks probably during a price war between the F. & C. C. R. and the Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek District Railway. The rail yards are below the rich Strong mine. ==============================
My online images of Gold Camp Road today My online images of Cripple Creek & Victor today :thumbs_up: Got to Love COLORADO RR History!!!!!!! :thumbs_up:
Picture #10 of the rail line no tour link appears to be a 4-4-0. Thats the engine on the left. I'd bet they both are! JMO!cool: P.S. What an incerdible set of pictures on that link! Thank you very much for sharing it! I can see why you want to model it, me too! Fantastic country, waterfalls, trestles, tunnels, Scenery! Oh Man!
Yes, One side's employees Would harass the passengers of the other side, tear up track, and purposefully derail the others equipment. It was pretty ugly! As MioneRR said, ROW was at a premium in the area, and everyone was fighting like mad to get their hands on it. Yes, yes you do! It is a contentious issue, but I believe that my home state, which I LOVE by the way, has a railroad history that is richer and deeper than just about anyplace else in the world! I am SOOO going to hear about this! lol Good to see another Coloradan! Thank you for the opinion, and I completely agree! I just needed another set of eyes to confirm my suspicions. I wish my post had generated a couple more responses so I could feel 100% confident, but what I have is good enough! Also, yes, it IS beautiful, beautiful country... you can actually drive up the old road now in your car or truck... you can actually FEEL the history in the air. It really is a magical, sublime experience for a train nut like me. :mbiggrin: You are welcome for the link and I am glad you enjoyed it. I'll be sure to figure out how to post pictures and keep everyone apprised of my progress. Waem regards to all, and God bless you today and all the upcoming year! Aaron
Just to add to my questions: Can anyone recommend a good kit (or 2 or 3) and or brand to build those period mines? Nothing I find on the net seems to look just right. Or am I stuck scratch building? Probably scratching, because the mines in Cripple Creek were mighty impressive monuments to the mining industry. BTW for anyone going to visit Colorado, Cripple Creek is now a charming little gambling community full of wonderful things to do (and EAT, i should add *burp*) besides gambling... and the RR history you can pick up there is off the hook fun! :mwink: Aaron
