Deck 3 Overview – The Western Slope

So, it has been a while since I talked about the plan for the dream layout. And there is a reason for that. The morning of the Central Model Train show, we had flooding in the crawlspace accessed in the upper right hand corner of the drawing below. While there was no damage, we identified that the sump pump in the space had failed, and that some of the equipment in the crawlspace is in need of annual maintenance. Surprise!

The previous owner had not told us that the crawlspace items needed annual maintenance and thus regular access. So, it looks like I will need to rework the plans to allow easier access to this opening. Pity, I really liked how this plan had come together and had gone so far as to detail all the buildings, roads, water, and even signals into the layout. But alas, the next iteration will be even better.

In the meantime, I figure I can finish going through the plan as it stands now...or as it stood. 

Deck 3 - Western Slope Plan.

So, here is the western slope as modeled. From Winter Park, the line descends through Fraser and into Tabernash before exiting the layout to through the upper reaches of the Fraser Canyon and entering into the helix. The helix would provide access to staging, and would connect back to the mainline at Prospect Junction - allowing for continuous restaging and continuous running when desired.

Cameron Turner

Fraser Canyon and Tunnel 34

Looking east into the Fraser Canyon. Photographer unknown.

The last scene on the mainline in my plan for the layout is a bit of the eastern end of Fraser Canyon leading up to Tunnel 34. This is an isolated stretch of railroad where access is pretty much by foot, via the river, or by rail. It is a popular fishing spot, and I have found a few pictures from the train, but not a lot otherwise in the canyon. In some ways, this is perfect for the end of the modeled mainline. Just plain mountain scenery.

Amtrak passing the cleanup from a Fraser Canyon rock slide in May 2004. Photo by HemiAdda2d.

The track plan for the Fraser Canyon section of the layout extends from the western end of Tabernash to the wall by the door. At that point, the mainline turns to enter Tunnel 34 in Fraser Canyon. The portal of Fraser Canyon leads into the upper reaches of the helix that will connect to staging and provide a continuous run connection back to Denver. The scenery is going to be heavily tree covered canyon walls, with two bridges modeled in the canyon. The scene is simple, but should provide a connection to the rest of the world and will help hide the connection back into the helix and staging.

Track Plan for Fraser Canyon

So, that is the mainline plan from Denver Union Station to Tunnel 34 in Fraser Canyon just west of Tabernash Colorado, 69.1 miles to the west of Denver. All modeled in 3+ decks. It is an exciting layout concept to be sure and would be an awesome site to see.

Cameron Turner