Glenn’s Santa Fe Railroad is in HO Scale and depicts the regional area around Raton Pass and Trinidad, CO in 1953
The year 1953 was chosen because it was the last year that steam helper engines were used on the pass, and it was also the year that the old eastbound tunnel was closed. The layout is located in a 13′ x 19′ shed. The upper level of the planned 3 levels is ~90% complete. Work is progressing on the middle level.
An eastbound manifest freight enters the west portal of the tunnel at the top of Raton Pass. Between the train and the section house at Lynn, NM, is the recently abandoned grade to the old eastbound tunnel.
The El Capitan emerges from the east portal at Wooton, CO, while Wootton Ranch Herefords mosey down the mountain. The concrete sealing the old eastbound portal is still fresh.
The El Capitan begins the steep downgrade toward Trinidad, passing a Santa Fe standard concrete bunkhouse on the left. On the right, next to the boxcar, is an old handcar shed converted to serve as Wootton’s tiny freight house.
A double-headed westbound freight struggles up the 3.3% grade over the big fill. This was originally a trestle but was filled in when the tunnels were constructed.
The tail end of a westbound freight working its way through a cut between Morley, CO, and Wootton Ranch.
The El Capitan passing through the mining town of Morley, CO (I just have mock-ups of the mine structures currently). CF&I closed the mine in 1956 and burned all the structures – the only remains of the town visible from I-25 today are the ruins of the old church.
A westbound freight coming through a cut below Morley. If you look closely, you can see the exposed coal seams in the cut.
The horses in the pasture don’t seem to be too disturbed by the passing PA’s.
A westbound freight powered by F-7’s crosses US Route 85 on its climb up Raton Pass above Jansen, CO.
Colorado & Southern SD-7’s have just dropped off empty hoppers and picked up coal loads in the Colorado & Wyoming interchange yard in Jansen, CO. As soon as the Santa Fe freight passes, the C&S train will use trackage rights on the Santa Fe to return to its own tracks in Trinidad and ultimately to the CF&I steel mill in Pueblo, CO.
The El Capitan entering Trinidad, CO, along the Purgatory River.
Trinidad is known for its iconic brick streets. Here along Commerical Street are Brennecke’s Bakery, Glancy’s Irish Pub, and Myers’s Hardware among other establishments.
Lots of activity happening behind Schwarz’s Machine Shop and Hausman’s Riverside Drugstore – teens gathering around the entrance to Donna’s Dance Studio, some elder statesmen playing checkers, and welders working away at the welding shop.
