Black Hills Railroad

The basic construction of the module is now complete.  All that's left to do is sand down the edges and make sure the end plates are as square as possible. The next step will be to lay track, wire the track, and build scenery around it.  Here are a couple of photographs of my progress: James Willmus James Willmus The sides are 1/8" hardboard, making a smooth fascia.  I'm cutting the fascia first and will then use that as a foam cutting guide for the terrain.  Already I had to make an accuracy compromise.  Since the modules are meant to be operated from the South side (these views are from the Northwest side) I had to cut the hill down slightly so the view of the trains aren't completely blocked. Thanks! --James

I've shelved the two display modules for a later date.  Their structures aren't quite as sturdy as I had hoped, although they will be great platforms in the future.  Instead, I have jumped ahead to creating a train layout using modules.  My first project is going to be the town of Mystic. Photo by Otto Perry of Rapid City Black Hills and Western Engine #55 at the town of  Mystic.  Photo can be found at Denver Public Library Digital Collections Mystic was a small town that can fit, almost foot by foot, in 12 feet using HO (1:87) scale. Module 1 will start at the furthest western track of the RCBHW at the West end of Mystic (background in the photo above).  This module will include the 65 foot turntable, the 3 track yard ladder, and a couple of outbuildings as well as the terrain.  When operating, the "front" side of the modules will be the South side of the track. Judging by the photos, code 55 or code 70 rail will be used to represent track....

The Crouch Line, one of the crookedest railroads in the world and one of the longest lived short lines in the Black Hills.  Over 120 bridges were built in the 34 miles of mainline with turns so sharp some of the rails had to be custom bent to fit in the canyon. There were several towns along the mainline and this post will provide an overview of the towns, and railroad facilities at each town. Rapid City (mp 0): Rapid City is the largest town west of the Missouri River in South Dakota.  It was the western terminus for the Chicago Northwestern and the Milwaukee Road (although branch lines continued west of Rapid City for both railroads).  The Crouch Line's eastern terminus was Rapid City and the railroad used the shared locomotive facilities with the CNW. The tracks diverged from the CNW mainline and ran parallel to Jackson Blvd. running in a Southwestern direction towards the mouth of Dark Canyon where Rapid Creek spills into the floodplain of Rapid Valley. Hise...