How about this...you could have something like a 2 foot Gilpin line and connect with a 3 foot line like Colorado Central (all real stuff). Even though I am a 2 footer, the CC was one cool railroad. Running up Clear Creek to Blackhawk with funky Porter 0-6-0's pulling 3 axle tenders and small wooden cars is a good thing to model. I doubt there will ever be a commercially available model of a CC Porter but one can (and must) be made using available locos. Later, the C&S took over the CC and Ridgeway smokestacks went to Blackhawk & Central City to fetch that Gilpin gold. As with most operators who have different gauges on one layout, one of the lines suffers from inattention while the other gets all the work. I have a monorail, 15" slag tram at a smelter, and a 3 foot connection there but they are just "scenery" for the 2 foot Mogollon Railway. I learned long ago that I can't "serve but one master"... but that's just me. Now, I must dump some ore and take some empties back to the mines. See ya'll later. Woodie
If you've some as yet not posted photos of the above mentioned, would you please share them? Boxcab E50
OK, here 'tis. The monorail loco is an old Model T with double flanged wheels. This is the scene at the Boquillas Prismodial RR (monorail) connection. The Mogollon Railway's siding runs atop the monorail. This thing carries silver ore across the border to a Mexican smelter (none of that is modeled).
Here at the Lonestar Smelting Co., the 3 foot gauge (1:35n3) Los Pinos y Madera has a siding to haul away the processed gold and copper ore...just one boxcar is modeled. The 15" gauge slag tram is shown..it actually operates, the little r/c Cletrac tractor pushes the dump car back & forth. It takes some getting used to, but is a hoot to run.
If I ever am in Texas again, (it's been almost forty years), I'd sure like to see this in person. Wow. Fun stuff! Boxcab E50
Definitely! I wonder whether something like that monorail ever existed in reality. Would have been tricky to keep the balance with cars not evenly loaded. Sure looks great and special.
Yes, the monorail is based on the Epsom Salts Railway which connected with the Trona Railway in Nevada. There were several examples of "A frame" monorails in the western US. By the way, there's a prototype for everything! Check it out on Google also in Myrick's Railroads of Nevada book and was a subject in the NG&SLG a few years back. I have seen working monorail models over the years and yes, they are tricky to build. If one was using "traditional" DC or DCC, then power would have to be figured out, with radio control & onboard batteries, it would just be a matter of making it stay on the track. My model is just "scenery" for my 2 footer line. Woodie
