The upper level of my two-level layout is all narrow gauge, depicting a portion of the former Denver & Rio Grande Western’s Fourth Division line in southwestern Colorado and northern New Mexico.
Home Layout - Lower Level
The lower level of my two-level home layout is a mix of standard gauge, narrow gauge, and dual gauge. All three come together at Alamosa. The lower level has the same “C” shape as the upper, and the two are connected by a narrow gauge four and a half turn helix.
Lower Level Design
Alamosa
My version of Alamosa, the focal point of the lower level, is highly compressed and largely freelanced, but it does feature a three-rail yard, turntable and locomotive facilities to service both steam and diesels, as was the case in the 1960s. The yard is functioning but is still lacking most scenery and structures. Alamosa will eventually have an oil refinery, NG-SG transfer tracks, an ice house, warehouse, and passenger depot. The locomotive facility has a 110’ foot 4-rail turntable with 11 tracks, and will have a roundhouse, fuel diesel rack, plus a water column, sand tower, Red Devil coal chute and ashpit for the narrow gauge steam locos. Most of these structures will be either scratchbuilt or kitbashed. While the very limited space dictates selective compression of the models and scenes, I hope to capture the spirit of the location, if not the grandeur.
Alamosa CO is still an active railroad center, though diminished compared to its past. Narrow gauge rails arrived here from the east in 1878 as part of the “San Juan Extension” from Pueblo. Located in the San Luis valley, lines extended west to the mining town of Creede, south to Antonito and toward Durango, and even north to Salida. In 1899, the line from Pueblo was rebuilt to standard gauge over La Veta Pass, the Alamosa yard was converted to dual (3-rail) gauge, as was the narrow gauge lines to Antonito and Creede. Alamosa featured a major locomotive facility and shops, plus a transfer facility for freight that was destined to and from Durango and other narrow gauge-only communities. The last narrow gauge trains ran in 1968, and after transferring equipment to the new Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR in 1970, the narrow gauge rails were removed. The turntable, loco shops, and other interesting features were all gone in the following years, especially after the Union Pacific takeover. Today’s Alamosa, all standard gauge but much quieter, is owned by the Rio Grande and San Luis RR.
Walsenburg
On my layout, Walsenburg CO has a passing siding and a few industries, including a grain elevator. It also is the location of an interchange with the Santa Fe (AT&SF RR) for additional off-road car destinations. This a freelanced version of Walsenburg Colorado, east of Alamosa on the edge of the high plains.
Train Operation on the Lower Level
While both narrow gauge and standard gauge trains run on the lower level, the standard gauge dominates. Alamosa is on a SG folded circle of track, which allows a continuous run, albeit short in length, to Walsenburg and beyond. Behind Alamosa but visible are two staging tracks (Pueblo CO) on a reverse loop, which permits eastbound trains from Alamosa to reach Pueblo and the “outside world”, then return to Alamosa in the westbound direction. Standard gauge trains can also depart Alamosa westbound to the same staging area, simulating “turn” trains going to and from Creede CO or Antonito CO. Due to space limitations, backup moves are required to run these turns.
Narrow gauge trains depart westbound from Alamosa by passing the refinery, going through the backdrop and climbing the big four and a half turn helix to the upper level.