4K Sn3 Layout Tour - Doug and Tifini Jolley's D&RGW Third Division

Our first attempt at a 4K layout tour! Doug and Tifini Jolley's HUGE 18'X43' Sn3 D&RGW Third Division - As seen at the 2019 NMRA National Convention.

D&RGW Third Division Sn3 Doug and Tifini Jolley

The D&RGW's Third division is represented on this double deck 18' x 43' Sn3 layout. The line between Gunnison and Ridgway, Colorado is included with a freelance connection of the San Migual and Southern, on the Ridgway branch, and a connection with the Timber Creek Railway near Gunnison. These connections were added to generate a bit more operating fun on a line that seen very little traffic in the 50's, the era modeled. Operation on the D&RGW is basically done in a chronological order using car cards. Include is a daily passenger run, a daily freight, a coal run, and a stock extra. Several locals are included, as well. The Timber Creek operation incorporates a run to the tipple for live loads of ore and then a run to the smelter for dumping in the rotory dumper. The coal tipple along the D&RGW line is also a live load operation. Operation on this railroad is brand new, and still undergoing refinements.

Size: 18 X 43 Double Deck
Scale: Sn3
Era: 1950's
Control system: Lenz DCC

D&RGW THIRD DIVISION / TIMBER CREEK RAILWAY

DRGW
The DRGW 3rd Division encompassed the line west from Salida to Ouray, Colo. The portion we have chosen to model is between Gunnison and Ridgway. In the era that we model, there was very little traffic on the narrow gauge west of Gunnison. In order to make this portion bit more interesting to operate we have added a couple of key elements. The first being the addition of a connection with two freelanced railroads to increase traffic. The first being the Timber Creek Railway in the Gothic area northwest of Gunnison. While in reality, no town was ever erected there, in our world, it was, as a coal seam of extraordinary quality was discovered very near there. Gothic soon became one of the largest settlements in the area.
The second connection was at Cow Creek on the Oray Branch. Here we connect with the San Miquel and Southern, a freelanced road operated by our good friend Bill Adkins. SM&S traffic comes on line here from a point in the San Miquels, and is delivered to the RGS at Ridgway for a connection with the SM&S near Placerville to continue it's journey west into Utah.
Because of this "extra" business we have added, our second key element was added. The line east of Montrose traversed an area on the west approach to Cerro Summit that was a continual problem for the railroad. The ground was very unstable here, and the grade tended to slip down the hillside on occasion. One such occasion occurred in 1949. Traffic was sparse, so the railroad chose to abandon the section between Sapinero and Fairview, and rails were pulled up.
But, in our world, because of the extra traffic of the other two railroads, the decision was made to repair it, one more time. The RGS is still clinging, as well...a bit past their expected abandonment in 1951. Thus, here we are in 1954-5, still struggling along. Is the end near? Probably. But not yet.
TIMBER CREEK RAILWAY
The Timber Creek Railway began life in the hills above Crested Butte, Colo hauling timber from the Gothic area to the DRGW for ties. With the mining boom came even more demand on the railroad for timber. But timber was diminishing, as was the equipment for the TCR. It was just plain wore out. When silver and gold were discovered in the Poverty area and a new purpose was discovered for the Timber Creek Railway, they were in dire need of equipment. A Shay was purchased from a shortline in California, a Consolidation was discovered in Alaska at a price that was low enough it was worth shipping to Colo. A couple of other ex-C&S consolidations were picked up from a dealer in Denver and they were back in business.
Traffic now consists of a mine run to the Poverty Mining District to load ore with a return to the railroad's headquarters in Gothic. It is then hauled up to the old town of Smelter Hill, were the Concentrator turns it into boxcar loads of concentrates that can now be shipped out to smelters on the DRGW.
The Layout
The double-deck layout occupies an area of approximately 18' X 43' in a basement room. The mainline and branch lines compromise about 300 feet of operation. Gunnison is a staging yard. A helix connects the two levels. Construction was started about 2003, but it has only been the last couple of years that it has really progressed in earnest. The last bit of roadbed and track are yet to be completed in the Gothic engine facilities.
Control is DCC using the Lenz System. Coal loading facilities are very near completion. while the Ore tipple at Poverty is getting there...But the Rotary Dump at Smelter hill is yet to take shape. These will be "live load" operations.
Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check on us later for progress!
Doug & Tifini Jolley

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