PIKES PEAK "N" GINEERS MODEL RAILROAD CLUB
THE RAILHEAD
August 2006 SEEKING SERIOUS N-SCALE MODEL
RAILROADING SINCE OCTOBER 13, 1989
  

Calendar of events for the Pikes Peak "N"Gineers 2006
 
August
August 9th – 13th: The National “N” scale convention in Denver.
August 14: Board Meeting – Howard’s Pit Barbeque – dinner at 6:30 p.m. – meeting at 7:30 p.m.
August 18: Business Meeting – 7:30 p.m. in the dining room on the fifth floor of St Francis Hospital
August 20: Combined club picnic in Palmer Lake
August 26: Driving tour with the Peck’s. One-day trip to Como, CO and other areas of the DSP&P RR that can still be seen.
September
September 11: Board Meeting – Howard’s Pit Barbeque – dinner at 6:30 p.m. – meeting at 7:30 p.m.
September 15: Business Meeting – 7:30 p.m. in the dining room on the fifth floor of St Francis Hospital
September 23: Run trains at Joe’s from 1 to 4 pm.
October
October 6, 7, & 8: Rock Island Festival
October 9: Board Meeting – Howard’s Pit Barbeque – dinner at 6:30 p.m. – meeting at 7:30 p.m.
October 14: Club Anniversary Party will be held at the Peck’s.
October 20: Business Meeting – 7:30 p.m. in the dining room on the fifth floor of St Francis Hospital

Pikes Peak Cog Railroad
We found out why we had to be at the depot by 7:15 am. It was like Grand Central Station when we got there. We asked if something special was going on and were told that this was business as usual. Many people were hiking up the peak and others were waiting in line to get tickets. We had 28 adults and children on our trip. We were in the Leadville car. Good thing we had kids along as the seats were narrow and hard to put three full sized adults together. We had great weather until we hit the summit and then were socked in by clouds. We had sun on top but were completely surrounded by clouds. So the great view we came to see was not there. As we dropped off the summit then we could see.
The Pikes Peak Cog is only one of two in the United States and one of thirty-eight in the world. Of all the cog railroads the Peak cog is the longest at a little over 8 miles in length. All had a good time and some heavy breathing at the summit.
Question? Did anyone notice the old bridge abutments for the steel bridge that used to cross Ruxton Av? When the Midland Terminal was scrapped out in 1947 –48 this bridge was left in place. I will have to check to find out exactly when it was removed but I believe it was in the early 60’s. Part of the north abutment can still be seen through the trees. I could not get a good look at the south abutment because of trees.

Track gang replacing some broken cog rail. We had to wait till they finished and then test. Our wait was about ten minutes or so.

PPNG Rail Cam
The club has purchased a mini camera to operate as a rotary snowplow. It is in the final stages of being completed. When finished I’ll take a picture of it and add to newsletter. There will be a backup car as well. This car is a Boeing aircraft car and can house the camera with a little modification and a 9-volt battery all in the same car.

National N Scale Convention
We are gearing up for convention. We have had two work sessions to do some repairs that have long been over do. We will load the MTL at 10 am on Wednesday August 9th and try to be at the convention site between 11:30 am and 12 noon. We will setup and be running by 4 pm. The running hours are from 9 am to 6 pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 11 am to 4 pm. Sunday. We will tear down at this time. There is a schedule of who will be running on each day. If you did not receive it let Mike know and he will get you one.

DSP&P field trip
I haven’t been on this drive since the late fifties when my father took us. I sure wish I could remember all the stories as we drove along. I will be bringing one of my old maps and a couple of train books to help me identify sites and give the history. As I studied the old map and compared it to a newer one I notice many of the stops have disappeared do to growth. I’ll start with Buffalo Creek and work my way to Fairplay, over Trout Creek Pass. Down to Buena Vista and Nathrop and up towards St Elmo and Hancock, time permitting.
If you are interested in this little trip let me know. I would like to get a body count to see if more than one car is needed.

Combined Picnic
On Sunday August 20th we will meet at the park in Palmer Lake to have a picnic with the DANS Club. It is their turn to have the meat. We need to bring side dishes and deserts. We will try and get the table we had last year. Hope to see you there. I have not confirmed the time but I’m guessing around 11:30 am to when ever.

MTL
We have been in the process of repairing several of the problems we have had on the MTL. We have made several of the needed repairs already. There are a few modules that need to be wired and switches added so we can use the sidings. If you have a knack for automation the gates on the prison module need someone to figure out how to make them open and close.

Trains for sale
Steve Bentz is going to be selling off some of his trains. For those of you who may wish to look at them and haggle with Steve give him a call. He said he wanted to have the club members have first crack at his stuff. NOTE: While I’m on this subject, if you have some train items you want to sell let me know and I’ll put them in the Railhead.

Sad Note
For those of you who know Lois Benton, she has been moved to the Hospice at St Francis Hospital. At this time she is in room #440. She would like to see you.




Old carriage road up the Peak