Western Slope action on the Moffat Road

Nice shots. I really like the "shooting stand" photos of the Challenger.

       
       


"Shooting stand"

What is a "Shooting stand" ??

Module/diorama used for outdoor natural-light photography. If that was an indoor/backdrop shot that's the best lighting/color balance I've seen.

Ahh- that is one of many of our modules that make up the Branch Line layout.

Thanks Matt

Interesting shot. I'm a bit curious about the exhaust effect. Close inspection reveals that the front end throttle is closed and the reverse gear is on center, soooooo the Fireman must be using lots of blower.

 

Great photo!

Thanks Hot! I must remember to make note to ask you exactly how to add steam effects to the models. Make sure it looks right.

That still looks OK for a locomotive sitting still.

       
       


It's pretty stationary all right.

Nice pictures.  What is the road name of this challenger and what do the 4 white stripes represent on the front of the boiler?

 

never saw this before; thank you

That is a Rio Grande (D&RGW) Challenger, and the "warning stripes" were for increased visibility by vehicles at grade crossings.

Thank you for the response.  ( 2 railer only in N, HO and G)

makes sense.  I know that this model has produced by various manufactures but did anyone add  the stripes to the boiler?

 

That is the sander box.

So far Max Gray in the 50's/60's has produced the 105 and my Key in photos above. . This is the only #3700 in green with the "chevron" stripes produced by Key. They did other variations and black boilered versions.

The original "sun-rise" sand box was changed after the Big War broke out. Something about being too close to the Japanese flag. Hmmmm

Glad you liked her!

This is my favorite steam locomotive

While I hate too admit it, I mistook the photo of your engine for the real thing and not a model; excellent diorama

The Challengers came from Baldwin with black front sand boxes in 1938. As I understand it, an L105 hit a school bus full of kids, which caused the Grande to decorate the front for visibility.

        Used to like the "rising sun" scheme but now I like the chevrons best - looks "macho".

Ooops! Now that I think about it, they came from Baldwin without front sand boxes - - the Grande added them shortly after delivery. Additionally they were also added to L131's and 2's. If there ever was a railroad that needed sand, it was the Rio Grande!!

       
       


I think that's cool!

This model was many years of research and development. Built to be 2 rail and runs better than it looks. Now I need to find courage to weather it.

Erik, #5 color photo. What is that going over the dry river bed? Is it a foot bridge? Don

Super layout by the way.

SR,

 

The layout was the DSMR's Colorado Midland, now dismantled.

 

Up on the face of the mesa is a coal mine.  The coal was sent down to a bin, where a bull dozier or front loader could load the coal into the conveyor belt, which is what you see, that carries the coal to a load-out.  The tracks in the foreground hold hoppers prior to their trip under the load-out.   

 

ChipR

Thanks Chip, it should be noted this layout was forcably destroyed in 2011 against our wishes. All of this scenery was hauled to a landfill.

The Colorado Midland Model Railroad 1935-2011