Screenshots - Ridgway to Durango

These screenshots were taken between 2/15/03 and 3/21/03 while I added the major scenery to the layout.

These images will follow the progress of my "Worktrain" through the route. The worktrain consists of RGS K-27 #461, a Section car, Bunk car, Sleeper car, Flat car, and Caboose 0503.

Pleasant Valley Creek Dallas Divide Brown Water Tank
Crossing San Miguel River Placerville, CO Ophir Loop Trestles
High Line Trestles High Line Trestle Approaching Trout Lake from North
Around the bend to Trout Lake Trout Lake Trout Lake Watertank

 

2/15/03 - The worktrain winds it's way up along Lake Fork creek to finally reach Trout Lake. There #461 take's on some much needed water to make the final attack on Lizard Head Pass.

2/17/03 - My worktrain has left Trout Lake to make the 3% Grade up to Lizard Head Pass. Arriving at Lizard Head Pass the crew made some repairs to the covered wye there. Then it's on to Rico. Of course I had to get some shots as the train crossed the double trestles at Gallagher.

Leaving Trout Lake Up to Lizard Head Up to Lizard Head
Approaching the wye Waiting on the wye Leaving the Wye
Approaching Gallagher Double Trestles at Gallagher Double Trestles at Gallagher

 

2/18/03 - The worktrain continues on past Gallagher and by the Coke Ovens watertank. The line crosses the Dolores River in several places. Finally she arrives in Rico, Colorado.

Coke Ovens Watertank Crossing the Dolores River Along the Dolores River Welcome to Rico

 

2/19/03 - Well, I've been continuing the scenery out of Rico and down to Priest Gulch. I had to do some tree pruning in and around Rico. I was starting to take a pretty heavy frame rate hit. I've improved it somewhat. But, I may be able to do more. Then I was just messing around and running the work train down from Lizard Head for some various photo runs. I set the weather for stormy. The Rockies in late Summer are subject to some pretty heavy thunderstorms. If you haven't been in the mountains during a good thunderstorm, then you are really missing out on one of life's great experiences. To see the lighting dance and hear the thunder echoing through the mountains is pure magic. Well, as my train was crossing the Dolores River on the same bridge as the above screenshot, I caught this picture:

Stormy Crossing

This picture is a tribute to Auran and the whole Trainz team. I wish I could share the whole experience of the picture. To hear the rain falling, the thunder in the distance, and the lightning dancing in the sky. It really took me back to the times of my youth when I rode the Durango and Silverton on a stormy day. To me this picture is Colorado Narrow Gauge Railroading. Thanks Auran :-)

2/22/03 - Arrival at Dolores, Colorado. Here's a series of shots of the train as she arrives in Dolores. The first shot was taken shortly after leaving Stoner Creek watertank. The next as the #461 rolls over the eastern-most turnout of the Dolores wye. The next two are shots from different angles as the train sits at the Dolores Station.

Leaving Stoner Creek tank Rolling into Dolores, CO Waiting at Dolores Station Wating at Dolores Station

2/23/03 - The RGS worktrain arrives in Mancos, Colorado. In this series of shots we follow the worktrain out of Dolores where she passes by the stockyard at Lost Canyon Siding. Then up the hill to the wye at Glencoe, CO. After that is a runby of the picturesque Bauer Lake. The train crosses over Chicken Creek before finally pulling into Mancos, CO.

Lost Canyon Stockyards Glencoe Wye Bauer Lake
Crossing Chicken Creek Stop at Mancos, CO  

3/02/03 - The worktrain left Mancos headed for Hesperus and all points in between. Along the way she climbed another hill on the way up to Cima Summit. But, before arriving at Cima she had to stop at the East Mancos Watertank to fill the tender. After a quiet moment at Cima Summit to enjoy the summer wild flowers the train headed down the hill to Hesperus and Ute Junction. We'll reach Durango soon (tm) ;-)

East of Mancos crossing the Mancos River Above the East Mancos River Stop at the East Mancos Tank
Taking on Water at East Mancos Looping and climbing behind East Mancos Approaching Cima Summit
Stop at Cima Summit Cima Summit wild flowers Heading down the hill to Hesperus
Crossing the La Plata River into Hesperus Hesperus Depot Heading out of Hesperus
Ute Junction Siding Ute Junction Siding Ute Junction Wye

3/21/03 - Here's some shots that follow the work train out of Ute Junction down through Mule Shoe Curve, down the Wildcat Canyon to Porter, over the Franklin Junction Bridge, and down along Lightner Creek to the RGS temporary facilities a few miles west of Durango.

Rounding Mule Shoe Curve Headed down Wildcat Canyon Entering Porter
Taking on water at Porter Departing Porter Approaching Franklin Junction
Franklin Junction Franklin Junction Bridge Railway Crosing at Lightner Creek
Crossing Lightner Creek Passing through the old RGS temporary yards Outside Durango

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