24
24: The New Jersey Zinc mine is off the downhill end of
the Belden siding. Monday work group buddy Rick Ernest
built this complex for Rob.
I didn't model the bridge, but the Belden scenery is modeled
very faithfully. Anyone who is familiar with the Rio Grande
should be recognize it on the layout.
MRH:
What are your plans for the future?
Rob:
There are a couple of things. A little while back I started
expanding into the next room. This new layout area models the
D&RGW Monarch branch. The grades are steep, up to 4%, the
curves are tight and two switch backs are needed to reach the
site of the limestone quarry at the top (28).
It still needs a lot of work but
the basic landforms are there.
There is so much scenery I
needed several access hatches
to be able to work on it.
I also had my dad move in
with me a year ago and he's
been working on another
25: The Royal Gorge is viewed through a series of open-
ings in the lower deck fascia. The walls of the gorge are
covered with detailed rock castings making an amazing
scene. This is one place where Rob completed the lower
deck scenery first.
26: Prototype photo of the
Royal Gorge (courtesy of
Wikipedia). Today the D&RGW
no longer uses this route but
excursion trains still make the
12-mile trip.
25
26
Tennessee Pass - 15
MRH-Jun 2013
