On to the Gilpin Tramway

Found Joe Crea's plans for the Polar Star Mill in Narrow Gauge Gazette. Really like the structure. So copied plans, mounted on matte board as a mock-up and out to the layout to "make it fit"


So here is the front view of the Polar Star. The coolest section is the back, tempted to turn it around. Not seen is the covered 2' gauge track on a trestle with a wagon unloading area underneath which is the back side.


This is my first go at laying the major parts out. I had drawn in a rough plan but find using the cork roadbed helps me visualize better. That along with mock-ups and an occasion box of nails lets me see relationship and clearances. I suspect reason cork helps is it disciplines me to what clearances.


Here is an overview shot. Aong with next shot showed the left side was really tight and the right side pretty bare. Solution, shift all to right.


Right side, Masonite-type board is a stand-in for the backdrop that will be there. On the other side is Idaho Springs. You can see switch-back to rear. Made some more tweaks and added a "mock-up" of the warming house which will be in the front. Toying with idea of leaving side open like Hakan did on his station so you can see inside.


Gilpin Engine house (old barn) mocked up with a box of nails. Have Keith Pashna's plans from the Gazette, plan to mock-up like Polar Star but need more matte board. Invoking rule 1 with the large piece of wood in front. Water was in the engine house, but wanted to include some FSM builds, so water and coal sheds will go here. Small piece of wood in back will be car shed. Shows in 1898 & I believe 1900 Sanborn map. My date is 1907 so hopefully close enough (one of the last years Gilpin and C&S still profitable and Mr. Trumball (spelling?) was still president)


Here is the left side cleaned-up some. Hard to see but the double cork roadbed is the HON3 line and the single is the HON2 line. The HON3 portion only goes in front of the Polar Star mill and a ore chute where the Gilpin can empty into C&S coal cars. From there we hit end of 3 ft narrow gauge. To the back there is 2 Gilpin spurs, one goes behind building to drop ore to mill and the front one goes to ore chute for C&S. All will be raised on trestle. The Switch-back is behind those.


Final 2 overview shots to give general feel. The iron bars will be hidden by buildings, smoke stacks, or similar.


Last shot showing left side. Big open space had another mill in real life so I will try and build one there also.

So at this rate it will take me about 25 years to build all the buildings on this monster. Hope mock-ups are ok cause they will be there for a long time.

Thanks Cameron