I'm considering building an N-Trak module and for a change of pace from my normal eastern focus, I thought I'd try something in the west. I'd like to build something along the lines of the Denver area, something with at least a little bit of switching (not much on a module I guess). Anyways, with that said, what sorts of locomotives did the D&RGW use on local/yard jobs for a time period from late 1980's, up to/including the SP merger? I did some browsing online and it looks like they didn't own any GP38's. I guess they used SW's or such? Anything readily available in N-Scale?
locals Hi SRR fan, By the 1980's, the Grande was using mostly GP40/-2's with some GP30's as well. However, anything that was available could have been used, GP9's come to mind. The SW's were pretty much relegated to yard duty. These are just generalities though. As far as availablility, Atlas ran some GP30's and 40's fairly recently. I have some if you are interested. If you can find it, The Prospector 5:4 (sold out) has a wonderful article on the D&RGW Belt Line in Denver. The Prospector is a magazine put out quarterly by the Rio Grande Modeling & Hisorical Society. I do have this particular magazine. www.drgw.org
For road switching your best bet would be the GPs that Rod recommended. But the area to model? What about one of the locals that picked up and set out grain cars? Or the autorack unloading facility? I'm just trying to think what would be good for a module. The Coors plant might also be good. I didn't mention the belt line because Rod already did but that would be an entire layout by itself. Maybe just one part of it would work. Name the industry and it was probably served there. Eric
Locals out of North Yard in Denver during the late 80s normally had a pair of GP9s. SW1000s and SW1200s were the yard switchers.
During the late eighties GP30s 3015 and 3017 were the yard switchers in Provo yard and were used as the local power on the Tintic Branch. They also ran north to Geneva too.
From the 1970's up until the UP, you could still see GP9's, SD9's, SW1200's, SW1000's and GP30's working out of Denver and Pueblo yards. The SW1200's could be seen switching around the North yard, but mainly at Burnham. The SW1000's were mainly used in the North yard itself, going out to Arvada, South Denver(Burnham job) and the belt jobs on the Belt line. If tonage was lite they could be used for yard transfers to the UP and BN. The GP9's and occasionally an SD9 would be used for yard transfers to the UP and BN. The GP9's were also used for a time on the South Local. I remember the SD9's being used to spot the autos and the pigs ramps at North yard for a time also. Then the SW1000's were used. The GP/SD9's would also be used to take the Cherokee trains to/from the power plant. Later the GP30's then 40's would be the power and eventually the big road power. The GP30's were also used on the South local to Sedalia and the West local to Rocky Flats up until their retirement. Then GP40s and GP60's were used. I also agree that the Belt line would make a good switching model. Here's some links to track diagrams that'll show you the variety of what was there. Just doing Washington Park could keep you busy. http://www.trainweb.org/railblazer/maps/spins/spins70.html http://www.trainweb.org/railblazer/maps/spins/spins71.html http://www.trainweb.org/railblazer/maps/spins/spins72.html http://www.trainweb.org/railblazer/maps/spins/spins73.html http://www.trainweb.org/railblazer/maps/spins/spins74.html
