This site
is a collection of prototype photos and some of my explorations over
the years. My main focus is the D&RGW but you will also find a
little bit of RGS and other lines mixed in. If you are interested in
surviving NG equipment be sure to check out the surviving car lists
below. If you enjoy exploring old grades then take a look at the maps
section which features interactive aerial maps of various lines.
If you like photos of the equipment in operation then head on down to
the events section.
If you are into models I'll tell you
a little bit about my background and some of my projects.
At an early age my grandfather got me interested in model railroading.
He had relatives that were railroaders and he also enjoyed modeling SG
equipment. As a kid I was interested in the Santa Fe since my
grandfather's house was right along the line up to Wickenburg, AZ. I
really didn't catch the NG bug until my college years. That happened
after a trip to the canyon lands with a detour through Silverton. A few
years later I made my first trip up to the C&TS and have been
going back to NG land each year since then. My early NG models were all
at the scale of 1:24
and operated on Gauge 1 track. I have built from scratch a C25, Chama
coal tipple, Osier tank, Hermosa bridge and Cumbres depot. I have also
started on a model of 463 but that has been on hold for quite some
time.
With the move to a new house I lost my outdoor railroad and have been
working in HOn3. With all the BlackStone models that are coming out it
is a great time to be in HOn3. With any luck my Chama & Cumbres
layout will
start to get more attention. You will also find that I am heavily into
the latest technologies due to my engineering profession. Be sure to
take a look at the wireless DCC project which is now controlling my
HOn3
motive power.
In addition
to the models I love to go out and explore the old abandoned grades. I
use whatever reference material I can find and scout out my trips ahead
of time using the aerial photos that are readily available. This makes
it quite easy to locate interesting targets to explore that can be
plugged into the GPS to easily find things on the ground. I also use
the tracks recorded by the GPS to enhance my interactive maps after an
exploration trip.
If you have any knowledge of D&RGW or RGS NG surviving
equipment that is not on my lists please drop me a note. The lists have
been greatly expanded by numerous individuals out there. I appreciate
all of the input and photos that have been provided by others. Without
this assistance the lists wouldn't be as complete as they are today.
Now that we have that out of the way, take a few minutes to explore the
site. Hopefully there is enough variety to provide something for just
about any NG fan.

This
is
probably one of
the best photos of the 463
that I have taken in Chama. I have snapped many shots
of
K27
#463 before
and after the restoration and was glad to see it go back into service
after
so
many years. This is my favorite operating
engine as it represents the transition from the earlier Consolidations
to the Mikados. This
picture was taken on the 27th of May 1995 as a passenger train pulled
into
Chama after a day out on the line.

On
a trip to Chama during September of 97 I found engine #463 in
disguise. The engine had been lettered for an RGS special
and was down for the season.

I
have never been able to get the lighting quite right when in
Cimarron. It's just not a place that you
plan to be for any length of time. This shot was taken in
July of 91. I wish I could have seen this C16
running through the canyons but it was retired before I came along.
Kozo K27 Build
Smokebox
New September 2024
Boiler Part
15C
Boiler Part
15B
Boiler
Part 15A
Hand Pump
Part 14
Axle
Driven Pump Part 13
Valve Gear
Part 12
Rods Part 11
Crossheads
and Pistons Part 10
Link
Support Part 9
Cylinders
Part 8B
Cylinders
Part 8A
Brakes
Part 7
Spring
Rigging Part 6
Front
Frame
Extension Part 3
Rear
Frame
Extension Part 3
Frame
Part 3
Trailing
Truck Part 5
Lead
Truck Part 4
Driver
Components Part 2
Driver
Components Part 2
Trip Reports
Morenci
Southern - Cunningham April 20, 2024
SG
-
Santa Fe, Prescott & Phoenix Railway (1892 route) July
& August 2012
VENUS
TRANSIT - June 5, 2012
SOLAR
ECLIPSE May 20, 2012
MAGMA
ARIZONA RAILROAD, The Narrow Gauge Route - September 10 &
17, 2011
MAGMA
ARIZONA RAILROAD - August 21, 2011
CRYSTAL
RIVER RAILROAD - June 21-22, 2010
UNITED
VERDE & PACIFIC - March 27, 2010
DESERT
HIKE
(sorry no railroads on this one, just a hike in
the Superstitions) -
March 14, 2010
Events