Hi All:
Okay... was going to run a train to check some things. Thought I might as well take some in-game pics for you'ins to see.
DISCLAIMERS:
* This is a RAW ROUTE. That is, NOTHING is placed other than track.
* NO terra-forming (i.e. Y key) is accomplished yet. That waits until track alignments are FINAL.
* My screen shots aren't too good. Not the best graphics card, I'm a'feared.
Okay... let's take CM #7, 9 loads of construction supplies (rail, ties, bridge timber) bound for the Midland Terminal RR being constructed from Divide, waycar 417 and CM #1 helping... and head off for Ute Pass!
Full Version: Take A Ride On The Midland! 6/17/10
next one....
next one...
next one...
next one...
next one...
next one...
next one...
next one...
last one...
That's not to the end of the line... but I kept running myself out of steam and had to stop to blow up again! So, I exited and decided to post what I had.
Anyhoo...
The neat thing about this is that when I run it, I'm actually getting as close as possible to seeing what is was like to run on the Colorado Midland as it was. I'm getting to see the same landforms as the CM crews did... even facing some of the same challenges of moving trains over it. To me, that's just too cool.
Welp... all for now. Got the answers I needed concerning some question marks I had in Ute Pass... so it's off to lay some more track!
Anyhoo...
The neat thing about this is that when I run it, I'm actually getting as close as possible to seeing what is was like to run on the Colorado Midland as it was. I'm getting to see the same landforms as the CM crews did... even facing some of the same challenges of moving trains over it. To me, that's just too cool.
Welp... all for now. Got the answers I needed concerning some question marks I had in Ute Pass... so it's off to lay some more track!
Wow. Just, wow.
Sheesh! How exciting does this thing get? I'm about to wet my Depends. WOW! 
Keep 'em comin', I say, keep 'em comin'...
Keep 'em comin', I say, keep 'em comin'...
Hi Rick:
I find several things that are exciting about the CM:
* The rugged topography of Lower Ute Pass.
* The grades between Colorado City and Divide. With very brief respites (like 2%??) there's some 24 miles of 3% and 4% grades. (More about this down below.)
* The handsome engines and quaint equipment they used.
* The interesting Colorado City/Colorado Springs/Roswell transfer operations and switching.
* The industrial district at Colorado City including several ore processing mills, a rock quarry, and some other assorted switching. (The rock quarry has a ridiculous 4.7% grade! Oh... and the loads go DOWN grade!)
* The fact that there's helper grades on both sides of Divide: From Colorado City to Divide, and from Florissant to Divide.
* The OPERATIONAL potential of this thing. (See below!)
* On and on.
Now you see why this railroad has fascinated me since my discovery of it back in the early 90's.
As for the operational potential:
Those long and steep grades means helpers, helpers, and more helpers. Helpers are fun, and make for a lot of operational interest. I mean, it is SO COOL to be "in the hole" waiting for an upgrade (AI) train... and have it come snortin' and poundin' around a curve and go stormin' by at about 8 MPH... with two engines makin' a racket on the front and one shoving on the rear! Good stuff Maynard!
In addition, this portion of the CM actually had "passenger turns", or "Suburbans" as they were called. These were small passenger trains that were scheduled to run between Colorado Springs up as far as Woodland Park and return.
Last operational point for now: The CM was contracted to do ALL the switching on ALL the railroads in the Colorado Springs and Colorado City areas: D&RG, ATSF, Rock Island, Union Pacific Denver & Gulf. It's this simple: If you see track in Colorado City/Springs... the CM worked it!
Welp... all for now. Going to hit the shower and get rid of a day's worth of railroading... then relax and piddle in RE.
Later gator!
I find several things that are exciting about the CM:
* The rugged topography of Lower Ute Pass.
* The grades between Colorado City and Divide. With very brief respites (like 2%??) there's some 24 miles of 3% and 4% grades. (More about this down below.)
* The handsome engines and quaint equipment they used.
* The interesting Colorado City/Colorado Springs/Roswell transfer operations and switching.
* The industrial district at Colorado City including several ore processing mills, a rock quarry, and some other assorted switching. (The rock quarry has a ridiculous 4.7% grade! Oh... and the loads go DOWN grade!)
* The fact that there's helper grades on both sides of Divide: From Colorado City to Divide, and from Florissant to Divide.
* The OPERATIONAL potential of this thing. (See below!)
* On and on.
Now you see why this railroad has fascinated me since my discovery of it back in the early 90's.
As for the operational potential:
Those long and steep grades means helpers, helpers, and more helpers. Helpers are fun, and make for a lot of operational interest. I mean, it is SO COOL to be "in the hole" waiting for an upgrade (AI) train... and have it come snortin' and poundin' around a curve and go stormin' by at about 8 MPH... with two engines makin' a racket on the front and one shoving on the rear! Good stuff Maynard!
In addition, this portion of the CM actually had "passenger turns", or "Suburbans" as they were called. These were small passenger trains that were scheduled to run between Colorado Springs up as far as Woodland Park and return.
Last operational point for now: The CM was contracted to do ALL the switching on ALL the railroads in the Colorado Springs and Colorado City areas: D&RG, ATSF, Rock Island, Union Pacific Denver & Gulf. It's this simple: If you see track in Colorado City/Springs... the CM worked it!
Welp... all for now. Going to hit the shower and get rid of a day's worth of railroading... then relax and piddle in RE.
Later gator!
Well, it does sound like it will be a lot of fun when finished, that's for sure.
Keep us posted...
Keep us posted...
And we've got lots of power to "Git R Dun!"
The 91 Class
The 93 Class
The 102 Class
The 104 Class
The 91 Class
The 93 Class
The 102 Class
The 104 Class
The 115 Class
with a few cabeese to tack on the ends
and a coach or two for those suburban trains.
All just waiting for that rail to be laid!
with a few cabeese to tack on the ends
and a coach or two for those suburban trains.
All just waiting for that rail to be laid!
Oh, gosh... Now you got me droolin'...
Herb said:
All just waiting for that rail to be laid!
And being laid it is. BUT... it ain't a'goin near like it was.
This last section was S-L-O-W going. Once the track was down from the canyon side and nearer the canyon floor, the traces of roadbed were no more, having been eradicated by the double hiway that now runs through there. That slowed me up on account of having to flip back and forth from my resources to determine alignments and such. Plus, I then arrived at a laborious section that included a siding at Crags, Safety Switch, and then the exit from lower Ute Pass into the town of Cascade (Canon/Canyon). All of which required much laying of track, pulling it up, relaying, adjust this, adjust that, relay... whew!!!
HOWEVER!!!!
I have exited lower Ute Pass... the tracks for the town of Cascade (Canon/Canyon) have been plopped in... and I'm ready to head up the valley for a ways! The rail laying should be easier for a while.
As of today, the rails are 11.9* miles from the ATSF depot at Colorado Springs... I'm only 15.9 miles from Divide, and 24.8 miles from the target town of Florissant.
* 11.9 miles is VERY mis-leading. There are MILES of supporting track, industry, and connecting RR yards/lines around the Colorado City/Springs area.
Now, bear in mind that I laid 57 miles of mainline w/towns in 10 days just recently on the ES&NA extension of the Ozark Lines, so the "math" says I could do this in 5 days. BUT... this will go much, MUCH slower on account of being based on a prototype, and having to fiddle with the track pieces to get the track scene to fit the terrain/town elements/features. To any of you that have tried doing this in mountainous terrain: Not easy.
My previously determined goal remains: Reaching Florissant with the rails, then come back and start populating the tiles with scenery. At this point, I still intend to get the Colorado City/Springs area done first, and release that portion. All the other track past that area will be in place, but not sceniced, and likely not terraformed with the Y key, either. Just raw route once past the completed portion. However, having all the track in place will help to insure that the trackwork desired for this first big portion is in place and error free.
Welp... all for now. Gotta' leave here in a bit for NW Arkansas to take Sharon to see her Dad n' folks for Father's Day. Won't be back until later tonight.
See'ya!!!
All just waiting for that rail to be laid!
And being laid it is. BUT... it ain't a'goin near like it was.
This last section was S-L-O-W going. Once the track was down from the canyon side and nearer the canyon floor, the traces of roadbed were no more, having been eradicated by the double hiway that now runs through there. That slowed me up on account of having to flip back and forth from my resources to determine alignments and such. Plus, I then arrived at a laborious section that included a siding at Crags, Safety Switch, and then the exit from lower Ute Pass into the town of Cascade (Canon/Canyon). All of which required much laying of track, pulling it up, relaying, adjust this, adjust that, relay... whew!!!
HOWEVER!!!!
I have exited lower Ute Pass... the tracks for the town of Cascade (Canon/Canyon) have been plopped in... and I'm ready to head up the valley for a ways! The rail laying should be easier for a while.
As of today, the rails are 11.9* miles from the ATSF depot at Colorado Springs... I'm only 15.9 miles from Divide, and 24.8 miles from the target town of Florissant.
* 11.9 miles is VERY mis-leading. There are MILES of supporting track, industry, and connecting RR yards/lines around the Colorado City/Springs area.
Now, bear in mind that I laid 57 miles of mainline w/towns in 10 days just recently on the ES&NA extension of the Ozark Lines, so the "math" says I could do this in 5 days. BUT... this will go much, MUCH slower on account of being based on a prototype, and having to fiddle with the track pieces to get the track scene to fit the terrain/town elements/features. To any of you that have tried doing this in mountainous terrain: Not easy.
My previously determined goal remains: Reaching Florissant with the rails, then come back and start populating the tiles with scenery. At this point, I still intend to get the Colorado City/Springs area done first, and release that portion. All the other track past that area will be in place, but not sceniced, and likely not terraformed with the Y key, either. Just raw route once past the completed portion. However, having all the track in place will help to insure that the trackwork desired for this first big portion is in place and error free.
Welp... all for now. Gotta' leave here in a bit for NW Arkansas to take Sharon to see her Dad n' folks for Father's Day. Won't be back until later tonight.
See'ya!!!
Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy... Cool, neato, right on! 
Have a safe trip.
Have a safe trip.
Hi Andre,
While I have other hobbies - your work is what keeps me coming back to MSTS time after time...
Looks great...
That Ozarks expansion certainly captured my attention as well...
Regards,
Scott
While I have other hobbies - your work is what keeps me coming back to MSTS time after time...
Looks great...
That Ozarks expansion certainly captured my attention as well...
Regards,
Scott
Hi Scott:
Thanks for the kind words, glad you're gettin' a kick out of the CM and ES&NA threads.
With these two route projects, I've sort of got a win-win situation for me:
* The ES&NA is a fun route that allows me a lot of flexibility.
When I tire of the constraints of a ridgid prototype route building, I can indulge here and be creative.
* It is very rewarding to be bringing the CM back to life.
It is much more personally rewarding to be resurrecting such a venerable and famous line... but it is a LOT more exacting than protolancing. So, I suspect I'll need to "come up for air" every now and then and work on something else for a while.
Later gator!
Thanks for the kind words, glad you're gettin' a kick out of the CM and ES&NA threads.
With these two route projects, I've sort of got a win-win situation for me:
* The ES&NA is a fun route that allows me a lot of flexibility.
When I tire of the constraints of a ridgid prototype route building, I can indulge here and be creative.
* It is very rewarding to be bringing the CM back to life.
It is much more personally rewarding to be resurrecting such a venerable and famous line... but it is a LOT more exacting than protolancing. So, I suspect I'll need to "come up for air" every now and then and work on something else for a while.
Later gator!
Speaking of later... here's a quick textual update:
Rails have reached and passed through Cascade Canyon, Culver, Ute Park, and they're now approaching Green Mountain Falls, milepost 15.5. I'm roughly 12 miles from the summit at Divide. To get there I'll need to complete Green Mtn Falls (wye and pass track) then lay on through Woodland Park (pass track, auxiliary track, spurs, lumber mill, wye), Summit Park (pass track), and at last Divide. (Where will be small and compact rail facilities for both the CM and the abuilding Midland Terminal Rwy.) Then it will be down the other side of the mountain through Bellvue, Pisgah, and to Florissant. Florissant was a helper town so will have rudimentary engine facilities, a pass and auxilary tracks, a wye and such.
BUT... time consuming getting the rails up through Ute Pass. You learn a whole new appreciation for what the prototype CM accomplished when you try to shoot rails through the same topography in virtual form!
Welp... time to start wrapping things up and heading off to bed. REALLY looking foward to 108-110 degrees in the cab tomorrow.
Rails have reached and passed through Cascade Canyon, Culver, Ute Park, and they're now approaching Green Mountain Falls, milepost 15.5. I'm roughly 12 miles from the summit at Divide. To get there I'll need to complete Green Mtn Falls (wye and pass track) then lay on through Woodland Park (pass track, auxiliary track, spurs, lumber mill, wye), Summit Park (pass track), and at last Divide. (Where will be small and compact rail facilities for both the CM and the abuilding Midland Terminal Rwy.) Then it will be down the other side of the mountain through Bellvue, Pisgah, and to Florissant. Florissant was a helper town so will have rudimentary engine facilities, a pass and auxilary tracks, a wye and such.
BUT... time consuming getting the rails up through Ute Pass. You learn a whole new appreciation for what the prototype CM accomplished when you try to shoot rails through the same topography in virtual form!
Welp... time to start wrapping things up and heading off to bed. REALLY looking foward to 108-110 degrees in the cab tomorrow.
The rails are through Green Mountain Falls... and headed for Crystola.
In only two more miles, my relaid mainline will have passed the obsolete main still in place from my previous CM attempt years ago. Cool!
In only two more miles, my relaid mainline will have passed the obsolete main still in place from my previous CM attempt years ago. Cool!
It was 105 degrees in Alco land today. That means the cab was about 110 or more. 
I was really, really, glad to get home, get a nice cool shower, and relax at my computer for a while.
Chipping away at the CM, the rails have arrived at the edge of Woodland Park. Barring the unforeseen, I hope to lay the pass, auxiliary track, spurs and wye tomorrow evening, and head off toward Edlowe and Divide. If my energy holds up and nothing interferes with my available time... I just MIGHT be working on the town of Divide come Saturday! However, that's a big IF... so it remains to be seen.
Welp... all for this little update. Off to bed... 5:30 AM gets here waaaaay too quickly this time of year!
I was really, really, glad to get home, get a nice cool shower, and relax at my computer for a while. Chipping away at the CM, the rails have arrived at the edge of Woodland Park. Barring the unforeseen, I hope to lay the pass, auxiliary track, spurs and wye tomorrow evening, and head off toward Edlowe and Divide. If my energy holds up and nothing interferes with my available time... I just MIGHT be working on the town of Divide come Saturday! However, that's a big IF... so it remains to be seen.
Welp... all for this little update. Off to bed... 5:30 AM gets here waaaaay too quickly this time of year!
Woodland Park is history! Headed for Edlowe/Summit Park! IF good progress is made tonight/tomorrow night... I'll reach Divide tomorrow evening.
BUT...
I may have to work Saturday.
Hoping to dodge it... but we'll see.
Okay... grabbin' one of my CM books... an' it's off to the Throne Room for a spell!
BUT...
I may have to work Saturday.
Hoping to dodge it... but we'll see.
Okay... grabbin' one of my CM books... an' it's off to the Throne Room for a spell!
QUOTE(laming @ Jun 24 2010, 4:40 PM) 
...Okay... grabbin' one of my CM books... an' it's off to the Throne Room for a spell!
Thanks for sharin' that!!!
NEWS FLASH!
Taking a short break from RE, and thought while sipping on a fresh glass of iced tea, I would give a quick update:
The rails are about 3 MILES from Divide! Yippee!
Once I arrive, I'll be there fer a spell on account of there being quite a few spurs, sidings, two wyes, ??? amount of Midland Terminal track off toward Cripple Creek, etc!
Still...
I'M ALMOST TO THE TOP OF UTE PASS!!!
Once finished at Divide, it's only 8.9 miles downgrade to my target town of Florissant!!!
Is this COOL or WHAT????
Taking a short break from RE, and thought while sipping on a fresh glass of iced tea, I would give a quick update:
The rails are about 3 MILES from Divide! Yippee!
Once I arrive, I'll be there fer a spell on account of there being quite a few spurs, sidings, two wyes, ??? amount of Midland Terminal track off toward Cripple Creek, etc!
Still...
I'M ALMOST TO THE TOP OF UTE PASS!!!
Once finished at Divide, it's only 8.9 miles downgrade to my target town of Florissant!!!
Is this COOL or WHAT????
QUOTE(laming @ Jun 25 2010, 2:33 PM)
I'M ALMOST TO THE TOP OF UTE PASS!!!
Once finished at Divide, it's only 8.9 miles downgrade to my target town of Florissant!!!
Is this COOL or WHAT????
The rails reached Divide about an hour ago.
Tomorrow, I intend to get down to business trying to study the pictorial references, track maps, data, etc, and translate it into rails placed on the terrain. Not easy terrain... not an easy town.
Wish me luck!!
Nighty-night.
Tomorrow, I intend to get down to business trying to study the pictorial references, track maps, data, etc, and translate it into rails placed on the terrain. Not easy terrain... not an easy town.
Wish me luck!!
Nighty-night.
Dressed turkeys and kegs of beer for all the track workers!
Great pics! :-) Looking very forward for the route to come!
BTW: I got today finally my copy of "Midland route: A Colorado Midland guide and data book" by Mc Farland!
Really a great route!!
Cheers,
Christian
BTW: I got today finally my copy of "Midland route: A Colorado Midland guide and data book" by Mc Farland!
Really a great route!!
Cheers,
Christian
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