C&S Snowshed Folio

[Keith Hayes]

I am always thinking one or two projects ahead of myself. As the March to Fremont Pass continues, there are several problems to solve, one being how to disguise the point where the track disappears into the helix above Kokomo. Fortunately, the prototype provides a solution: a snowshed! I asked Jim Courtney if he had a folio for snowsheds and he does not. Jim did provide several excellent photos.

Here are two locomotives charging up the east side of the pass towards the shed.

An excellent view of the end frame from the rear platform of the passenger train.

A most helpful image from below.

Jim and I opined on the sizes of members. My guess is that the frames are made of 12 x 12s, but Jim shared that the RGS snow shed at Lizard Head has 6 x 8 posts and 6 x 12 cross members. Cumbres Pass on the D&RGW is noted as having 8" to 10" diamater round posts with 8 x 12 cross members.

I did some measuring downstairs and figured my posts need to be 16'-0" apart clear, and the bottom of the joists need to be 20'-0" above grade, about 17'-6" above top of rail.

I figured 10 x 10 posts and cross members to form the frames. The corner braces are 2 x 8s. I spaced the frames about 15'-0" on center, though the image from below suggests frames might be as close as 6'-0" on center. I added some 10 x 10s between the frames at the top to support roof joists, which are 2 x 10s.

The photos indicate the top sheathing is parallel to the rails, likely 2 x 10s, with battens to cover the joints. The siding is also 2 x 10s, but note that there is only one shadow line, which let Jim to suggest the siding is ship lapped. Interesting.

Every couple bents have a diagonal pole to brace the shed laterally. As any modeler will tell you, these structures eat wood, and I appreciate that C&S was trying to cover the most with the least. Lacking the real thing, let's consider this a C&S folio for the Kokomo Snow Shed.

An amusing afterthought. During one of my first Friends of the C&TS work sessions, I was dispatched to Cumbres to document the section house there. All the section houses along the C&TS are built to a common plan, which is two rectangular rooms in plan in a 'T' shape. The three surviving structures differ based on the she additions added to the rear.  Anyway, my job was to figure out how the thing was built, and being young and perhaps a bit naive, I got a ladder and quckly found myself on the roof. Turns out the roof of the Cumbres section house is constructed of 2x4 roof joists, 24" on center with lath above and wood shakes over the lath. Pretty light stuff for someplace that regularly has 120" of snow! Granted, the joists were a full 2" x 4", but today at that location they would be at least 2 x 12s at 12" on center.

As soon as I realized the precariousness of my position, I gingerly moved back to the ladder and returned to terra firma.

[Chris Walker]

Boreas

DPL-X-7721

DPL_OP-6184

DPL_OP-6156

DPL_OP-6396


Alpine
DPL_Z-2546


but wait..... there's more.....

[Keith Hayes]

Thanks Chris!

I should point out that the Alpine and Hook Eye sheds differ in that they have a narrower (and much more complex) profile. Boreas seems to be closer to Kokomo. No doubt variations due to era and common practice at the time.

Now I can't wait for more!

(PS, I already put in a giant lumber order to Mt. Albert)

[Pat Student]

For reference, I looked at my drawings for the Marshall Pass snow shed. Following is a single track section marked with material sizes.

[Chris Walker]

but wait..... there's more.....

Dimensions of Colorado & Southern Snowsheds    previously posted by Rick Steele.
http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Two-Railroad-Rosters-tp14478p14580.html