Revising Arvada

The original track plan for Arvada lacked much detail but was also very compressed by the need for a 180 degree turnback curve on the inside of the peninsula. While I never detailed any of the sidings in the area, the configuration was going to be problematic.

Original Arvada Track Plan.

The new version of Arvada is much more linear. Emerging from the Belina Drop, there are a couple of sidings before the mainline crosses Wadsworth Boulevard. Here, I did modify the bridge type to get a more interesting bridge than the concrete viaduct, but the bridge is actually more reminiscent of the light rail bridge over 6th Avenue installed years later. The main line also takes a little more inspiration from the route of the Golden Branch through Arvada, but since I am not modeling that part of the Golden branch, I am okay with shifting the scene a couple of blocks to the north where the D&RGW line runs. Once through downtown Arvada, the line enters a more residential area on the way to Leyden.

Revised Arvada Track Plan.

Here again, the increased linearity of the new design works well. The Belina Drop hides the single 180 degree turn from view, the remaining visible curves do not form full turnback curves and are paired with other subtle complementary curves, which should further straighten the apparent direction of the line.

Complementary Curves in Arvada Area.

Again, I feel that this plan has a lot going for it. It is clearly an improvement over the prior layout plans.

Leyden did not need modifications, so the next area to revisit is Barbara Gulch. So, that is where we will go next.

27 Days, 27 Posts to Go.

Cameron Turner