3D fly through model tour of the DSMR layout and associated captures from 3D model.
(c) All materials copyright CU Denver Center for Preservation Research
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This year we are celebrating our 80th year in Union Station. DUS is renovating into a hotel and combination Amtrak station. In this process we will be making changes to the layout for accommodations to current code. We decided it was a good idea to make use of the best possible preservation techniques available today and capture the layout as it was in May 2012 on its 79th anniversary.
In the month of May 2012 CU Denver performed a full 3D scan using LiDar of the model railroads in the basement of Denver Union Station. This process was carried out over a 3 week period; the processing of this point cloud data along with photogrammetry a full 3D model was made of the layouts and the space of Denver Union Station's basement. I worked closely with Mike Nulty from the Center of Preservation Research to document as much data as possible of the layout.
An Orthogonal plan was also produced below
In the documentation process I made digital captures of as much of the layout I could including the benchwork and areas not seen from above. The techniques used in its construction are like the rings of a tree; expansions from the original 1930's layout outward can be seen. Upgrades added over the decades include moving the wiring and control centers; adding expansions into new spaces. I have tried very hard to pull together approximate time lines when expansions took place.
Mike Nulty hard at work making adjustments to the Leica LiDar 3D laser scanner
One of many of the wide angle shots of the layout room. This view looks into South Yards on the Narrow Gauge added in the 1960's.
Looking southward into the layout room this view shows an example of the expansion as it moved northward. A wall separated this area from the original layout over the mountains immediately in front of this view. Springs standard gauge yards built in the 1930's can be seen in the distance.
Storage tracks added in the 1980's are rumored to be replaced by a smaller shorter set. We used this area for staging long trains such as passenger and coal trains.
Part of the electrical improvements performed in 1959 by Bill Freeman. He was an expert wiring engineer for his time and created a highly complex and robust block DC system with propulsion circuitry and signaling systems.
Still under construction this area of the layout was called Leadville and Sargent. It features and expansion made in the 1980's that was added to the existing track plan as a siding with a bypass track. This was planned to be improved before we moved out for the renovation of DUS.
Some of the numerous structures and dioramas built on the railroad were added and modified in existing locations. Tucker's Mill and Butterfly Trestle are in this view.
Most of the carving accomplished in this area was done in the 1960's by a retired Disney Animator Oscar Nuebert.
Looking into the roundhouse area of Springs follow along the support columns; this was the location of the north wall removed in the late 1950's for expansion into the current South Yard area. The coaling tower was built in the late 1920's by founding membership.
Original 1930's benchwork under Springs Yards.
The original 1933 turntable from the underside showing its complex mechanism
for the time.
Further captures of the turntable and its benchwork built in
1934-1935
Benchwork was unique and experimental for the time. During the
depression materials were expensive and many materials were
recycled and used from crates.
Drop leads from tracks are solid wire, 1990's improvement rewire has been removed.
More of the 1930's benchwork showing the recycled nature of the Great Depression era
modeling used.
1940's wiring improvements included the adding of Army and Air Force surplus components such as B-17 Tail Trim motors used as turnout controls still functional in 2012.
Further benchwork study shows added wiring in the 1940's with evolutionary improvements made through the 1990's.
B-17 1940's Air Force surplus equipment is widespread throughout
the layout
1959 Freeman improvement was profound. Laborious installation of DC block system of relays is evident in this view.
1945 custom built Primary DC power supply for the standard gauge was still functional in 2012
Horan Trestle was built in the 1940's and retrofitted on newly expanded area to the south. Once again the support columns mark the spot of the south wall of the original 1930's layout room. The wall was removed in the 1950's. In this area of the layout old mainline can be seen abandoned 50 years ago like a real railroad improving the track plan.
