| Description: The Denver & Rio Grande Western's Third
Division across Marshall Pass in the Colorado Rockies was originally
built in the early 1880s as part of the 771-mile narrow gauge trunk
line from Denver to Salt Lake City. For years its sidings bulged with
ore, coal, stock, lumber and agricultural produce, and narrow gauge
crews armed with the best and newest products of Baldwin and Alco
struggled to move tonnage over four percent grades in the teeth of
winter blizzards. Loaded with beautiful mountain scenery and the
romance of the Old West, Marshall Pass also featured all the elements
of mountain railroading: quadruple headers, helper stations, and
doubling the hill. Anyone searching for an operation-oriented prototype
ought to give this line a second look. This clinic reviews the history
and operations of the line and presents a layout design based on the
Third Division. |
