Thursday, September 4, 2014

Chalk Creek Branch: A Plan | 9 Comments - Click Here :

Randy Rieck has provided the plan for his On3 Chalk Creek Branch from an earlier post. Click to view.

Click here to view the photographs of Randy's layout: 
9 Comments - Click Here :
  1. This is an extremely well drawn plan. I would take exception,though with the placement of the Arkansas River bridge.That is such an awesome structure that I feel it takes more room to do it justice than the distance between the Macune wye switch and the curve at Nathrop.The St.Elmo depot is a little close to the switch leading to town .Remember that the mainline starts climbing there and is on the mountainside above town.The depot and the car bodies would be there.Buena Vista and the Romley and Golf areas are really well designed

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    1. Hi Robert,
      Thanks for the kind comments. The Arkansas River bridge is a tough nut to model in my basement. The D,L&G 1894 bridge book reports two 125 foot Howe truss spans on stone piers. In Ferrell's The South Park Line there is a drawing on page 66 reportedly based on
      1919 C&S valuation notes reporting the total length including approach spans as 304 feet.
      As you know a model would be over 6 feet. Since I have to stay within the confines of the basement, the bridge is just too big to model. I think this bridge was a Howe timber deck truss but information is in short supply. If you or another reader could direct me to a picture,plans or more information for this bridge, it would be appreciated.

      The station at St Elmo has been moved several times and is now closer to the switch than shown on the plan.

      Randy

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    2. There are two photos on the DPL-CHS.X-7810 shows the south end of the bridge in the background of the construction photo of the present D&RGW bridge.There used to be a companion photo,but it didn't show anything more than the one that is on there.OP-6417 shows the ruins of the piers.There was a copy of the bridge drawing in the hand-out material of the 2002 DSP&P Historical Society,which was held at Buena Vista.

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    3. Hi Robert,
      Thank you for directing me to the DR&GW bridge picture with the C&S bridge over the Arkansas River in the background.It is interesting to me how sometimes the background is more important.Before I start looking for a copy of the 2002 DSP&P Historical Society hand-out, do you think it essential to building a model of the bridge? My friend John Robinson has supplied me with two 1883 UP plans for two Howe truss bridges on the Loop and he is sure he has UP plans for the Howe timber deck truss.
      Thanks again for your knowledgeable advice.

      Randy

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  2. I've seen this layout. What Randy has done with the space he has is exceptional. I admire people who can compromise with such taste. I find it difficult to compress one foot of territory. I agree with your assessmnets but the fact that Randy has put a 1/4" scale layout in a room that previously had an HOn3 layout in it blows my mind. Yet I'm sure he feels the same pinches you've tastefully pointed out. I'm anxious to see scenery, Randy.

    Derrell

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  3. His structures and cars look like they just jumped out of a DPL photo.

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  4. The drawing in the2002 Historical Society is exactly the same as the one in Ferrell's book.It sounds like comparing John Robinson's plan,Ferrell's drawing,and the photo would come out with a good plan.Have you heard of a computer list called WORLDCAT? It is a listing of books, maps,photos,architectural drawings,etc.If you get on their website and type in DSP&P,DL&G,or C&S it will give you info on items that are available and what library it is located in.

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    1. Hi Robert,
      Thanks for the clarification on the Historical Society bridge drawing. I had not heard about WORLDCAT and Iam trying to use it . My computer inability is shocking.
      Randy

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  5. Randy,

    Very nice work. A few questions. What is the height of each deck? Looks like you gained a good distance between each deck for a 3.5% grade. Also, did you narrow the upper shelf? In the plan it looks like both shelves are the same width in the middle but in the pictures, the upper looks narrower. Curious what the widths of each deck are as well. GREAT plan especially considering the space.

    Cheers!

    Brian

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