A Focus on Coal

Any layout based on the Craig Branch would be focused on its primary traffic...Coal. Lots of Coal. Crews of the coal trains pick up their trains in Phippsburg, take them to the mines and return the train to Phippsburg. Both East and West of Phippsburg are two summits, Toponas to the East and Pallas to the West. Since crews change at Phippsburg, it seems that most models of the branch would be centered around Phippsburg. Fortunately, just east of Phippsburg is a signature scene on the line, Finger Rock.

Further East, the line passes through Yampa, Colorado before cresting Toponas Summit and then descending through Energia Canyon and Rock Creek Canyon enroute to Bond. Both canyons are spectacular scenic features, but essentially inaccessible. However, the line does possess several steel trestles (a rarity on the D&RGW), and multiple tunnels.

West of Phippsburg, the line climbs to Pallas Summit, before descending past the Edna Mine complex, inspiration for the Walthers New River Mine Kit, through picturesque Steamboat Springs, and on the the end of track at Craig. Several branches depart to various coal mines en route. The land becomes increasingly range land, and several switching opportunities exist around Craig. The primary non-coal traffic on the line is a once a week local to Craig, crewed out of Phippsburg.

A very interesting plan for a Craig Branch focused layout was designed by Bernie Kempenski and published in Model Railroader's Mid Sized Track Plans for Realistic Layouts. I am a big fan of his modeling and layout plans. His track plan captures Rock Creek Canyon, Phippsburg, Craig and one of the coal branches along the line. For its size, it is a nice plan which would be fun to operate. However, I worry that the limited traffic of this line might ultimately lead to boredom. A more complete model of the line would add interest with additional mine runs, and more extensive helper operations. A little modelers license could add some additional industry along the line, particularly for agricultural and oil and gas operations. The addition of a "Ski Train" to Steamboat Springs could add further interest. But really, to get a wide variety of operations, extending the model to include Bond and the Moffat main line is important in my eyes. At least then, a parade of trains through Bond could be modeled, while operations would focus on the branch activities. I've actually operated on a very nice layout that modeled a short stretch of mainline, with plenty of through traffic, but which had operations focused on local trains that ran off the main to several branches. So it can be done. What would my representation of the Craig Branch look like? Let me try to lay out the concept.

I'm very fond of the concept of Layout Design Elements (LDEs) coined by Tony Koester. Another railroad author of whom I am a big fan. However, I separate them into two types - operational and scenic. Operational elements exist to support model operations, while scenic elements exist for the purpose of providing visual separation between operational features. Such elements are essential for the operators to give a sense of distance and to provide time between operational stops. In this concept, I think the following Operational LDEs should be represented:

• Phippsburg - crew change point;
• Craig - Main switching location;
• Bond - Main line Junction and Main Line Crew changes;
• Volcano Siding - the only siding on the branch where two coal trains can pass;
• Edna Mine - now long gone, but it is such a signature element I would want to include it;
• Steamboat Springs - Possible second switching destination, passenger destination;
• Yampa - Possible third switching location; and
• Branches - Ute, Energy, Empire and Axial branches all come off the Craig Branch, and one or more should be included.

What about the Scenic LDEs? I would try to include:

• Finger Rock - Near Yampa/Phippsburg, a signature scene;
• Toponas Summit - the major summit on the line;
• Pallas Summit - the second summit around Phippsburg;
• Energia and Rock Creek Canyons - these areas bracket the isolated Volcano siding;
• The Climb out of Bond - two tunnels and a horseshoe known as Copper Spur; and
• McCoy/Crater Loops - a scoria rock operation between Rock Creek Canyon and the climb out of Bond.

Is it do-able? Maybe. The concept does have the advantage of requiring a much smaller operational crew. Is it worth doing? Perhaps...