The Snows of Winter Park

Its that time of the year when things can get awfully busy with the end of the school semester and the holidays eating up time. So, this post continues the story a little later than I had planned. Coming out of the Moffat Tunnel, trains emerge onto Winter Park. Here the Ski Train pauses to disgorge its passengers at the foot of the ski slopes.

The new Amtrak Winter Park Resort Ski Train emerges from the Moffat Tunnel onto the Western Slope. This train replaced the Ski Train to Winter Park. Photo from the Denver Post.

The main line emerges from the Moffat Tunnel and almost immediately crosses a short bridge before curving into Winter Park and the platform where skiers are disgorged onto the slopes.

The Ski Train at Winter Park. Photo by Mike Danneman.

As one of my main goals on the layout is to model the Ski Train, including Winter Park is a key as it is the destination. Furthermore, since seeing Brian Holtz's Panoramic Division model of the D&RGW in Model Railroader as a kid, I've always had a desire to include a snow scene. But, I also do not want the bulk of the layout to be a snow scene, and really liked Mike Danneman's idea of setting his layout in May when the foothills are green is very attractive to me. The rivers are running fresh and clear, and the leaves are coming out. Not quite as good as the colors of the fall, but at that point the rivers are not nearly as full. Furthermore, once the snow hits, that pretty much brings the colors to a close. So, I am thinking that an April/May time frame would be perfect. Late enough that you can get the greens of spring, but still early enough for a high country snow.

The last run of the 2002 season with the Ski Train leaving Winter Park. March 30, 2002. Photo by Nathan Holmes.

So, I would have an extended season for the Ski Train running it into March or April, but the ski season can sometimes last until June or even July. My thought it to model Winter Park as if snow is falling. This likely also means that I will model East Portal as if a storm is coming with dark cloudy skies and flat diffuse lighting. I may even obscure the mountain peaks in clouds. Winter Park also hosts a passing siding of 7110 feet in length.

Track Plan for Winter Park.

The track plan for Winter Park takes advantage of the space above Rennick Yard. Included is the West Portal of the Moffat Tunnel, the bridge just to the west of the portal, and the platform area, including the house track, siding and spur at Winter Park. The siding has a length of 176 inches, making it slightly longer than Cliff siding, just as in the prototype. The ski runs of Winter Park Ski Resort will flow into the backdrop, along with space for a representation of the ski lodge. While the siding is located at 76.5 inches above the floor, this elevation should enhance the feeling of looking up the slopes and make the ski lodge impressive, even if it is not as deep as the real thing.

Cameron Turner