Plans to model Colorado Central in HOn3

[Reopen the Alpine Tunnel!!]

Hello everyone. I've decided that I probably will want to make a diorama of Forks Creek on the Colorado Central in HOn3, in the near future. And I've been told that here would be a good place to ask for help on doing so.

I'm still quite new to model railroading, especially since I'm still quite young. Pardon me if it sounds unusual coming from someone like myself! And pardon any naivety I may also seem to have!

Anyways, I'm still unsure about certain parts of what to model for this diorama. The era I'm shooting for lies between 1872 and 1880/1881.

I have some files for making HO-scaled 3D-prints of the Station, Eatery, and Section House. Though I don't know about what to use for the bridges, the water tank and the shack beside it.

I also ordered a Powder car kit from Bitter Creek Models, but I'm not sure which trucks to use that would be close enough to the original configuration, mainly the 3'4 trucks, as per Version 5.1 of Ron Rudnick's Colorado Central modelling guide.

What do you all recommend I do for this project?

[drgwcs]

Forks Creek changed quite a bit over the years. For the early bridge a Campbell Howe Truss kit is a very good stand in. It is out of production but there are still a lot of them floating around on Ebay. I would suggest getting a copy of Harry Brunks "Up Clear Creek on the Narrow Gauge"  and "More up Clear Creek on the Narrow Gauge" as well as the Colorado Rail Annual "Narrow Gauge to Central and Silver Plume" Although Harry modeled a later era his early articles showed the early Forks Creek before the eatery was joined with the station. He does have plans on the pump house. I believe that his water tank started with a modified Atlas tank.
I do have a bit of a listing of what kits have been made for Forks Creek as well as other C&S locations over on the C&S narrow gauge Facebook group (the two groups are really complimentary and not in competition) I'll give you an invite there too (I'm the admin)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ColoradoandSouthernNarrowGauge
Here is what I have for Forks Creek in HO

    Several companies have made the forks creek depot Classic Miniatures made one as well as there was a resin kit made by Scenery Unlimited- this was made of seven castings. Mainline and Siding also made one.
    RS laser kits and Mainline and Siding both made kits for the eating house.- as a note this is the unconnected one- later the C&S connected the two buildings. As a note this later version is probably best scratchbuilt (possibly using a station kit) as the earlier eating house is so sandwiched and modified.
    The Campbell Howe truss bridge would be appropriate for the earlier bridge
    Chalk Creek Bridge here was made by Gold Medal Models
    Section House was made by Model Masterpieces, Mainline and Siding and Classic Miniatures. The Guts Gravel and Glory Paquette Hardware is close. Model Masterpieces kit can be used for other section houses.
    The pump house was made by a company called Design Tech in resin now done by Wolf Designs
    The Classic Miniatures Alpine Coal Dock below can be modified for the coal dock.
    Atlas Water Tank is kitbashable for the water tank

[Chris Walker]

Welcome to The Place.

Don't apologise for youth; 50 years ago I knew absolutely Squat about the US, and placed a letter in Model Railroader's Student Fare.  That was the start of a long journey with several penpals.

Forks Creek with Harry Brunk was also my inspiration, and on my first trip to the USA, right after the 2nd NNGConvention got a Rental to do my first Clear Creek pilgrimage.  I went back on every subsequent trip too, delighting in the canyon.

Do a search on here for "Forks", there are numerous threads available, with just about every known photo of the place over the years.

[djunda]

the Forks Creek depot is available from Classic Mintures line,  We have updated it to have the main structure laser cut for the doors and windows.  makes the kit much easier to build.

Doug Junda
San Juan Models

[Reopen the Alpine Tunnel!!]

Could I utilize and modify the Vintage Reproductions Alpine Coaling Platform kit instead of the Classic Miniatures kit? Also, I have files of the Section House, Station, and Eating House that I can just 3D-print. Would it be viable to just use those, or is it better to get the kits instead?

[Dave Eggleston]

For your period I don't believe the Alpine coaling platform is correct. There were a pair of unsheathed structures next to the water tank, one on each side of the track, not an open platform. Of course it's up to you on what you include!

[Chris Walker]

"Reopen"; we all like to know with whom we are addressing on here

You can decide on your modelling, as that open coaling platform is pretty cool vs the twin Sheds, it all depends on whether you want a model railroad featuring Fork's in the early days, or a railroad model of Fork's in the early days.  

Photos abound in this Thread....but these specifically
http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Proof-that-not-only-the-Eating-House-was-built-on-stilts-at-Forks-Creek-tp948p17841.html
http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Proof-that-not-only-the-Eating-House-was-built-on-stilts-at-Forks-Creek-tp948p18194.html
http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Proof-that-not-only-the-Eating-House-was-built-on-stilts-at-Forks-Creek-tp948p18230.html
http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Proof-that-not-only-the-Eating-House-was-built-on-stilts-at-Forks-Creek-tp948p17843.html


There are size differences/supports/bracing between the Alpine and Fork's versions.

[Reopen the Alpine Tunnel!!]

I was replying to djunda, regarding his message back on August 6.

I'm just mainly trying to see what is appropriate, since I am still quite new to the subject, of course!

However, I would love to know if there is a map of Forks Creek, similar to the one of the Alpine Tunnel Station featured here. 

Also, is there a guide anywhere on how I, if I find one, can modify the Campbell Scale Howe Truss kit into the Forks Creek bridge?

[Todd Hackett]

This map is from a guidebook I put together for the DSP&P Historical Society convention in 2017, showing historical items traced from the 1919 ICC maps and the present highway configuration:



I started this thread on the original wood truss bridge. The Campbell is a more traditional Howe truss, and other than being a through truss bridge with some wood, it's not very similar to the original bridge at Forks Creek. Since starting that post, I realized that what I had labeled as the "Main Tension Rods" are actually rectangular bars while what I labeled "Intermediate Rod" are probably the main tension rods as each has a turnbuckle. The rectangular bars are in pairs, with the bottom apparently attached to the pin joint, and I haven't figured out how the tops are connected, but possible there's some sort of casting at the top of the wood diagonal members that includes that connection. This photo from DPL shows these pieces:



Note that the later steel truss bridge replaced this bridge in 1891.

[Keith Hayes]

The short answer is not exactly.

The drawing you posted is from the Historic American Building Survey (HABS), which seeks to document and illustrate sites of importance, often historic areas in National Parks and National Landmarks and often in National Forests. The drawing standards are rigorous and developed by the National Park Service, and the drawings themselves are often prepared by Architecture and Engineering students and related professionals.

Those preparing the drawings may have an interest in the subject matter, but may not be an expert themselves. For example, there is probably a drawing of the Hamilton Grange in Manhattan, and the person drawing it may be an engineer but not know much about Alexander Hamilton specifically. I note the absence of information inside the bounds of the engine house where investigation by Joe Crea and Jerry Hoffer published in Slim Gauge News about 1970 indicated evidence of a turntable, water tank and coaling platform.

Your best bet for a similar drawing will be the Interstate Commerce Commission valuation maps prepared by the railroads. The Colorado Railroad Museum used to sell these: you will have to purchase the whole pack for the Clear Creek line. They are about 12" tall by 36" long (this is the reduced form!), and you will derive hours of enjoyment noodling over culvert locations, odd notes, and more right-of-way ephemera than you probably realized.

Good luck!

[Reopen the Alpine Tunnel!!]

From what you say, what would be more appropriate, in this case, to use for the early Forks Creek Bridge in HOn3, instead of the Campbell Bridge? Should I just scratch-build the entire thing? Or could I still possibly modify one and do that instead?

[Todd Hackett]

Reopen the Alpine Tunnel!! wrote

From what you say, what would be more appropriate, in this case, to use for the early Forks Creek Bridge in HOn3, instead of the Campbell Bridge? Should I just scratch-build the entire thing? Or could I still possibly modify one and do that instead?

It's up to you whether the Campbell kit is close enough for you. I don't know what's available in HOn3, but I don't think there's anything closer unless you scratch build one. I think most people modeling this scene have gone with the Campbell kit due to the complexity of scratch building this bridge. Here's a direct comparison between the original Forks Creek bridge and the kit: