Tom Fitzsimmons' Red Mountain Northern RR
The Red Mountain Northern is an HOn3 layout depicting a fictitious northern extension of the Silverton Railroad, north from Red Mountain Mining district in Colorado. The time frame is the year 1893, while the Silver mines were still prospering, just prior to the repeal of the Silver Purchase Act and the beginning of the long decline in mining in the Red Mountain District.
The layout is 10 feet by 13 fully sceniced. The layout features floor to ceiling scenery depicting the dramatic mountains and gulches of the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. The layout was constructed in six sections to facilitate moving (still not easy). The layout features Styrofoam structural and scenery base construction with scenery surfaces of plaster rock castings and lots of Colorado "dirt". The layout is point to point incorporating a hidden "sneak back" track to facilitate continuous running of trains. The track follows the route of the old wagon toll road from Silverspoon to the mining camp of Karabou Flats, with many small towns and mining sidings along the way.
Track is hand laid code 55 and 40 rail in visible areas with most turnouts being hand laid stub switches. Hidden trackage is code 55 and code 70 flex track. The control system is a "home grown" radio link DCC system and has Soundtraxx® sound equipped locomotives. Structures are both scratch built and craftsman kit built. Rolling stock is mostly scratchbuilt with some kit built passenger cars and cabooses. Engines are mostly brass which have been regeared and remotored to improve running characteristics.
Picture Credit:
Photos by Tom Fitzsimmons
