Looking for Tunnel 28 and Finding Tunnel 29

The canyon to the west of Tunnel 27 is increasingly rocky in nature. Tunnel 28 was built through a spur of rock that projected into the canyon. With a length of 124 feet, the rock through which Tunnel 28 penetrated was unstable and problematic. In 1951, Tunnel 28 was removed with explosives. So, Tunnels 9 and 28 are daylighted in my plan.

The location of the former Tunnel 28. Photo from Rio Grande Secret Places, Volume 1 by R.C. Farewell.

The mainline continues to wind its way up the canyon, rapidly closing the vertical distance between the track and the waters of South Boulder Creek. In the tight quarters of the canyon, it becomes difficult to avoid additional tunnels, and Tunnel 29 becomes necessary to continue west through the canyon. The eastern approach to Tunnel 29 leads the mainline along the banks of South Boulder Creek until another projecting ridge is encountered, requiring the shortest tunnel on the Tunnel District, Tunnel 29, with a length of 78 feet.

Eastern approach to Tunnel 29. Photo from Rio Grande Secret Places, Volume 1 by R.C. Farewell.

Exiting Tunnel 29, the main line runs along a shelf cut into the side of a shear vertical cliff face, and then across Bridge 36.45 to the other bank of South Boulder Creek.

DRGW5342, 5386, 5389, 5513, 5405 and 5410 lead a coal train west out of Tunnel 29. Photo from Rio Grande Secret Places, Volume 1 by R.C. Farewell.

In my plan, Tunnel 29 is modeled at full scale (6 inches). All the other tunnels are scaled from this tunnel in a proportion to how much longer they are than this tunnel. I did pay particular attention to the length of the shelf to the west of Tunnel 29, so as to replicate the scene above, where we have more than 3 SD40T-2 engines between the tunnel portal and the bridge. In my plan, I have 18 inches between the western portal of Tunnel 29 to the eastern abutment of Bridge 36.45.

Eastbound train on Bridge 36.45 crossing South Boulder Creek. Photo from Rio Grande Secret Places, Volume 1 by R.C. Farewell.

Bridge 36.45 is one of the signature scenes on the tunnel district. The bridge is composed of 3 plate girder bridges for a total length of 139 feet. In my plan, it had to have a prominent location.

Track Plan for Tunnel 29 and Bridge 36.45 area.

The track plan for this area extends down the right peninsula in the room, above the location of Plain siding. As mentioned, Bridge 36.45 is full size, the distance between the east end of the bridge and western portal of Tunnel 29 is similar to the real distance as well as a full scale model of Tunnel 29. The site for Tunnel 28 is an outside curve rather than an inside curve, but I think it is workable plan that captures a lot of significant scenes.

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Cameron Turner