A Plan for Dickey - Updated Images | 2 Comments - Click Here :

The idea about how this layout would be designed, built and operated has been in my head for some time. Since the area is primarily flat, completing the bench-work before the track plan was finalized did not cause a problem. I knew exactly what part of Dickey I wanted to model, and had sketched it out many times.
Rick Steele kindly provided the 1918 C&S valuation map below. Using Autocad, he painstakingly copied this into an electronic PDF format from the original located at the National Archives in Washington DC.

Using the zoom tool in Adobe Reader, I enlarged the valuation map until I had an exact scale section of railroad that would fit on the 28"x10' layout with NO compression.

The layout will be constructed as a UK style exhibition layout. It will have a backdrop along three sides. Clamp on fiddle tracks on both ends will allow new equipment to be introduced. Hinged wings will hide the fiddle tracks and display information and photographs of Dickey. Integrated lighting will be provided via a picture frame valance.
Dickey will be a busy place capable of some very interesting operation for two. The three way turnout makes into a wonderful Inglenook shunting puzzle. While at the same time, another operator will fuel and assemble a fleet of locomotives in a pre-determined order to push a rotary snowplow. The previous day's storm the reason for needing to re-open Boreas Pass with the rotary.  
An employee recounts in Tom Klinger's excellent book "C&S High Line Memories and Then Some"  that eastbound trains would sometimes come over from Leadville, leaving it's cars at Dickey and return. A train would then come over from Como to pick up the cars. This move will be recreated, but sorting the cars in a pre-determined order in the Dickey yard beforehand. In theory, this 6 car train would then trail the 6 locomotives and rotary back to Como. 
Next up is to transfer the plan onto the Homasote surface....
- Cowboy Up!