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Dave Models the Rio Grande Southern in Sn3 between Rico and Ridgeway. Points south of Rico and north of Ridgeway are represented by staging. The yard a Rico is a close representation of the prototype and features a number of wonderful structures built by Dave. The track and most of the turnouts are hand built including the three way stub turnouts on the north end of the yard. Right - The cars for a northbound freight have been switched on to the siding in front of the Rico Depot. Today's northbound for Ridgeway will be powered by leased D&RGW K-27 #461.
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Right - Dave didn't have enough room to model all three stalls of the Rico engine house so he eliminated the third stall. The outside wall is clear plastic so the fully detailed and lit interior can be seen from the aisle.
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The Pro Patria Mill in Rico was built in 1902 and featured a new smelting process using magnetic separation. The ores mined around Rico were primarily lead and silver. Right - Dave built his model of the Pro Patria Mill from a Banta Kit. Below & below right - Scenes along the right-of-way between Rico and Ophir.
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The small community of Ophir was located about 45 miles south of Ridgeway. This portion of the railroad was on a 3.5% grade. There was a single spur that was used to load ore. It extended beyond the tram house and ended behind the depot. To the south of the depot and across bridge 45B was a siding that was used to switch cars for the tram house. Right - On the far right is the Ophir General Store. To the left of the general store is the Oilton Club, Mrs Skillens Store (behind the depot) and the tram house.
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Placerville is was a major shipping point on the RGS. There were several company warehouses at least one fuel dealer and stock pens. During the annual rush, stock extras were a common site working the "long" spur north of town. Placerville, in the early years, was also a shipping point for agricultural products and concentrates from the Paradox Valley. Right - RGS 20 heads a short freight through Placerville bound for Ridgeway.
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The RGS interchanged with the D&RGW at Ridgeway. The D&RGW train to Telluride dropped cars for the RGS on the way to Telluride and made pick-ups on the return trip. Right - D&RGW #318 at Ridgeway
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The Rio Grande Southern's main shops were located at Ridgeway. In later years, when the RGS started using K-27 2-8-2, the turntable at Ridgeway was to small to turn the locomotives. As a result, southbound trains were often backed out of town and turned on the wye before heading south. Right - The Ridgeway water tank was on the lead to the turntable and shop area. C-19 # 42, having had here tender topped off with coal and water is about ready to back on the main, reverse direction, and head down to the small yard near the Ridgeway Depot.
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The original roundhouse at Ridgeway had five stalls. Later an additional two stalls were added that were normally used for the "Geese". The facilities were minimal and coal was hand shoveled from high side gondolas into locomotive tenders. Cinders were normally dropped between the rails and shoveled into piles next to the lead. K-27's were limited to two stalls as they were to big to be turned on the turntable. Right - Dave's Ridgeway Engine Facility had to be adjusted to fit in the available space to include limiting the roundhouse to four stalls. The office building, behind the roundhouse is scratch built.
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Above & Below - Ten Wheeler's # 22 & 25, C-19's #40 & 42, no less the four "Geese" and caboose's #402 and 404 can be seen in this photo. The "clutter" spread around this scene really captures the feel of the prototype.

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House at the end of the Trestle (Ophir)		Ophir Siding

Spur at Placerville		Bridge 45A (Just North of Ophir)

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