Construction Update #45 - Caboose Track, Vance Junction Scenery and Ridgway Roundhouse

 May 3, 2025

 As is often the case, I walked into the train room, lost focus, and spent most of the day working on a couple of projects that weren't even on my radar!

Ridgway Caboose Track

The first thing I did was to move the proposed caboose track back from the aisle (Update #37).  The RGS actually used one of the shop tracks near the turntable and roundhouse for a caboose track.

The new location, shown below, is a closer representation of the prototype.  It is now located on one of the shop tracks next to the backdrop away from "wandering elbows" and the manual turnout ground throws along the Ridgway yard lead.

 

Since I was already working near the turntable/roundhouse, I decided to add a couple of more structures along the backdrop behind the turntable.  All three of these structures were given to me by Bruce Hanley.  I scratch built the coal dock for my old Alaska Pacific.  The RGS actually loaded coal into the tenders from high side gondola next to the turntable lead.  I tried to include the elevated spur the gondolas sat on but there wasn't enough room.

 

 Vance Junction

I spent the rest of the day working around Vance Junction planning, cutting and gluing in pink foam profiles.  I made sure to include enough room for the prototypically correct section house, depot (old coach) and other outbuildings.

Here is a view looking to the south.  The coal pockets are in the foreground.

In update #37 there was a picture and explanation of the Telluride Spur.  The original layout plan included the Telluride Branch along with a two track staging yard.  Unfortunately, the Bridge 45A scene took up a lot more space than I had anticipated.  So, instead of the Telluride Branch, I was left with the Telluride Spur (4 cars).

 

I am going to try and hide the end of the spur using a shallow cut, a small mirror and trees...

 

Ridgway Caboose Track

May 4, 2025

The caboose track with scenery

 

 

And gas for the goose.  I still need to add an elevated shed and gas pump.
 

And here are the tree little structures down by the turntable.

The Water Plug

Since there was no room for a water tank on the turntable lead, I decided to add a "Water Plug".  The main tank is down by the depot (Update #43).  Not sure who made this item since I found it in my box of loose parts.

 

The Coal Bin

On the prototype, Coal was hand shoveled into locomotive tenders from a high side gondola that was spotted on a slightly elevated spur next to one of the turntable leads.  Unfortunately the elevated spur fell victim to that old space problem that keeps raising it's ugly head.  While not prototypically correct, there is room between one of the leads and the shop tracks to install a coal bin.  The coal bin was left over from the Rio Lobos Branch layout.

 The Ridgway Roundhouse

 May 5, 2025

Work continues on the Ridgway roundhouse.  Since I have seen way to many removable roofs warp, over time, I decided to permanently attach to roof to the sides and roof supports.  In order to access the interior, the building will only be resting loosely on the foundation.

Only one of the outside back wall sections can be partially seen from the aisle.  Rather than spend the money for another sheet of brick material, I decided to cobble together the leftovers to make the wall and pilasters.  My one remaining widow and another section of lintel were also used.  The other three back walls were made from styrene and covered with brick paper on the inside.  The outsides were left blank.

  

May 7, 2025

 Here is the roundhouse temporarily set in place.  It still needs track, floor, doors, stacks, some minor paint work and roofing

Here is an overall view of the roundhouse/turntable scene.  The stalls are deep enough to accommodate a C-19 or T-19 but not a K-27; there just wasn't enough room.  My goal is to have this area pretty much "finished" by the time I have my open house in July.

As always, your comments, suggestions & questions are welcome

sdepolo@outlook.com