The first Colorado Central Layout began as a modification to an Atlas plan in 1978. The modification was made to allow more operation, including a small Atlas turntable. This small, switching configuration was chosen due to the requirement to frequently relocate as a member of the military. The design and construction of an open grid, flat top shelf allowed the layout to be disassembled and moved as required.
As an Air Force officer, I was assigned to Denver, Colorado in the mid-1970's. My wife and I enjoyed our 3-year stay there, as we spent time travelling in the front range of the Rocky Mountains. We also had the opportunity to ride on some of the narrow gauge tourist trains, including the Georgetown Loop Railroad, as well as observing D&RGW SD-45s trundling down the Joint Line toward Colorado Springs. In short, we loved the area which, in turn, caused me to want to model the area. But modeling the Rocky Mountains is not for the faint of heart and requires a considerable area for a feasible layout.
Thus, following a couple of more moves, I started to work on a concept which would let us use the Rocky Mountain theme, but keep the layout at a manageable size. I did a considerable amount of reading about the region and its railroads, especially during the Transition Era, focusing on the flatter lands of the Front Range. Not wanting to model a specific prototype railroad, although the D&RGW was tempting, the Colorado Central Railroad concept was born.
A drawing of the initial shelf layout is shown below. In 2011 when I finally retired for good, the first layout was abandoned and the second, and I hope final layout was begun.
As an Air Force officer, I was assigned to Denver, Colorado in the mid-1970's. My wife and I enjoyed our 3-year stay there, as we spent time travelling in the front range of the Rocky Mountains. We also had the opportunity to ride on some of the narrow gauge tourist trains, including the Georgetown Loop Railroad, as well as observing D&RGW SD-45s trundling down the Joint Line toward Colorado Springs. In short, we loved the area which, in turn, caused me to want to model the area. But modeling the Rocky Mountains is not for the faint of heart and requires a considerable area for a feasible layout.
Thus, following a couple of more moves, I started to work on a concept which would let us use the Rocky Mountain theme, but keep the layout at a manageable size. I did a considerable amount of reading about the region and its railroads, especially during the Transition Era, focusing on the flatter lands of the Front Range. Not wanting to model a specific prototype railroad, although the D&RGW was tempting, the Colorado Central Railroad concept was born.
A drawing of the initial shelf layout is shown below. In 2011 when I finally retired for good, the first layout was abandoned and the second, and I hope final layout was begun.