Todd, you might want to think about Taconite shippments over Tennessee pass. I've worked with engineers and conductors that used to make that run, and Taconite shipments are the things of nightmares. :wideeyes:
I lived in Alamosa for several years. Crossed the tracks on State Street twice a day going to/from work. Articulated steam ran regularly over the pass during that era. 3-axle diesels made the trip as well but not on a regular basis. Interestingly I once saw a single GP40 pull 52 cars between Monte Vista and Alamosa at track speed. An interesting layout concept since this area was never as well documented as other areas on the 'Grande. Allows for more license w/o getting as much potential flack. If not already included the line up toward Poncha Pass as far as Hooper was once standard gauged to get the potatoes shipped out. I did accounting work with/for the State Senator from that area who owned land around Hooper.
I've also spent time in that area. Alamosa is rather puny compared to your grande ( he he ) designs but there's nothing like a little proto lancing to keep things interesting. From what I remember there are two lines splitting off one that goes south for quite a ways and the one to monte vista. Both are full of many industries so there is plenty of operation even today short freights ply the tracks, and I'm sure as Coors buys a lot of grain from down that way, there is quite a flood of operation during harvest time. It's nice to see someone modeling that area.
