This blog will cover the design and construction of a free-lanced branch line connecting with the Rio Grande Southern at Placerville, Colorado. Named after the mining district at its destination, the line follows the scenic Dolores River canyon with dramatic red cliffs 100 rail miles northwest of Ridgway. The HOn3 layout will be portable, and will fit a lot of railroading fun in a small space.

News flash:

I found a pleasant surprise in my email in-box today...stunning photos of the modeling of fellow On30 modeler Peter Rugendyke. He created some scenes commemorating the arrival of some equipment from my Estrella & Sonora Grande RR. You can see more of Peter's beautiful modeling on his blog: http://orphanvalley.blogspot.com.au/

Enjoy!

Got some time for train therapy over the weekend, and built these excursion cars for the AV&W:

Here begins my new journey into rebuilding my Estrella & Sonora Grande RR in On30 into a whole new look and theme: the Arroyo Verde & Western RR. Come along for the ride!

Operations on the Estrella & Sonora Grande are winding down. Here, a 'cleanup train' sent up the high line is coming back from Estrella with some empty cars left there. Below, #4 awaits clearance at San Lorenzo to head up the line with a work train to begin pulling up the rail.

On this blog I will share the design process of a future modeling project...a unique free-lanced D&RGW branch in HOn3, set in an atypical region of southwestern Colorado. Here are some photoshpped concept photos that help capture what I will be aiming for.

I had some time to take a few photos of the layout recently, here is one of my favorites:

And to all, a very Merry Christmas and happy New Year!

PS - if you look closely in the sky above the Porter, you can see the constellation Orion rising in the east.

It's been a long time since I posted here, and a long time since I have had any time for the hobby. Anyway, here is an update on recent events on the Estrella & Sonora Grande.

There's a lot of activity in the village of San Lorenzo as 0-4-0T #3, the Rattler, works its way up the branch line to Soledad with loads of coke destined for the boilers at the ore concentrator.

As some of you who follow the On30 Line and Model Railroad Hobbyist discussion forums already know, I have decided to move on to another modeling challenge - after the end of 2014, the Estrella & Sonora Grande RR will be dismantled. Read more abouit this in my next post (to avoid wrapping a long entry on each page).