The Silverton Northern Railroad peeked my interest back in 2015 on a trip to Colorado. While being shown the sights one day, I was taken up to Animas Forks. It was a white knuckle experience for me. I had never been on the roadbed before, large boulders to creep over, narrow spots where the car hardly made it past. The scenery was amazing the Animas River had water in it and was flowing, there was a gentle breeze blowing, the mountains showed their scars of the past winter, timber here and there broken and mangled. Yet it was beautiful, the mountains were speaking to me, and I was a kid in a candy store taking it all in. When we arrived at Animas Forks I was overjoyed at the sight. Loving history it was like stepping back in time. I ran from one house to the other squealing with delight. Looking at the bits here and scraps there wondering who left them and why. I stood upstairs in the “Walsh’s” house taking in the view thinking what an amazing group of people must have lived here so high up on this deserted mountain top. Not thinking much else a year went by and I found myself in Washington DC in the Smithsonian Museum and ran across the Hope Diamond. Reading the write up I learned of its connection to tiny Animas Forks. Which drew me back to the fond memories of my first trip there. Along about that that time I was pondering the thoughts of having my own modular table. Everybody kept asking what do you want to do. I was visiting a friend and got to see an article about the Engines of the Silverton Northern found hiding in a old forgotten building and how they were whisked away to Alaska in a time of need for the war effort. Now Alaska holds a very special place in my heart. I lived there as a child. I took all of these events and knew if I wanted to do anything I wanted to tell the story of “The Little Engine that Could” in my special way. So I began reading and learned how really amazing history winds itself around and up, and down and back again. My vision for my railroad, is to tell the facts of SNRR from Silverton to Animas Forks the best I can and then finish Otto Mears vision of completing the Railroad all the way to Lake City. I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I am, trying to bring it to life.

 

It all starts with 3 little tables called Silverton. While I thought this would be the easiest of the groups of tables, I find it is in fact very hard. I want to depict things how they were at the point in time I am aiming for (but when exactly would that be?). That single question has been my biggest stumbling block. My mind simply says when it was at its peek and most busy. Well when was that? I found that was not an easy question to answer. So I am going to let it be up to the viewers imagination rather then pick a moment in time. Which brings me to my next problem.

 

The Silverton Northern Engine House: John Massura offered to build it for me from a kit from Berkshire models, which is a reproduction from the original kit from Anvil Mountain Models.  In this kit Lowell says it should be painted Green. Well being me I ask why? Then I ask what year was it green? Then I write to San Juan Historical Society, research various blogs on the subject, and nobody can tell me what year it was green or who painted it green. So I am left wondering why did Lowell want it green I am sure he had a reason, and being a poor railroad is it even logical to think it operated green? John is now waiting patiently for me to decide. I am leaning toward leaving it unpainted and rusted and weathered but the voice in the back of my head is saying anybody that sees the Engine House will ask why is it not finished. Maybe by the end of the article we will all know to paint or not to paint, that is the question.

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I have had a lot of help realizing my idea of my layout from John Sheer. He has worked and reworked all of my drawings into a viable beautiful track plan I call SNRR. We used data from Silverton that showed the original track and worked it into what you see today as Silverton. I am showing the wye, the Silverton Northern Station, Engine house, SN Tool Shed, SN Coal Shed, a small yard and the Silverton Jail. The Durango Silverton Station, coaling tower and water tank. The water tank was built by Steve. The Silverton Station is a special gift from John Massura, it is the prototype for the run of kits and signed by the developer. I purchased a barn from the auction. I am so proud to have and continue Greg Poth’s legacy on my tables. With his barn I am placing a stock pen and detailed farm scene. And if that were not enough have to have a street of town to get the feel of Silverton and if table and time allow I might add just a hint of cement creek since SNRR had a bridge over it.

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Construction has started on the three Silverton tables. They are built to the Chicago Division Standard. Hallow honeycomb design with folding legs that adjust to two heights with alignment pins to allow for a smooth set up to any club module. Wiring and setbacks all adhere to club standards. The tables were constructed in two work sessions. John Massura came in and with the help of Dwayne Richards MMR and Speed both from my NMRA group, we set out to build the tables. Dwayne was kind enough to offer his woodworking shop and backyard for the initial construction. So in 40 degree rainy Weather we forged ahead sawing, gluing, sanding, clamping, freezing, painting, more glue, more sanding and finally three amazingly bare, flat boxes emerge as the beginning of the SNRR. A year later John made another trip to Dallas and this time renting a home we forged ahead again with Speed’s help in working on my boxes. This session we added the track, the wiring, the switches, and hooked up my NCE power. I crossed my fingers and poof we finally have a train running. My boxes have officially become modular tables. They are bare except for my track but I see the amazing effort so many helped with. I am truly grateful for all the time, trips, and help I have been given. I have enclosed a few photos showing the concept of my dreams, and the beginnings of these three tables. As I progress I will add more to my little Engine that could.

 

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