Roofing for the Supply Shed - July 1, 2026
Well... I finally lost a few parts! The laser cut trim for the roof disappeared. Some scale lumber proved to be a easy replacement.
A Northwest Shortline "Chopper" was used to cut the Wild West Models corrugated metal. The corrugated metal is made from paper and cuts easily.
Verticle lines were drawn on the roof to help keep the corrugated metal vertically aligned. I used the double sided tape provided in the kit to hold down the material. Using only two strips turned out to be a problem since some of the pieces bowed slightly away from the roof. This, along with two other problems/mistakes, is probably going to annoy me to the point a redo will be required.
After the corrugated metal was attached, it was weathered with Pan Pastels. The following morning the "sticky backed" ridge cap was lifting off the of the peak of the roof. I ended up pulling it off and replacing it with .020" styrene strips; my second mistake. I should have used .010". My third and biggest mistake was how I installed the corrugated metal. On one side I started from the front and on the other I started from the back; a natural thing to do as because I am right handed and my tendency is to start from the front and work back. As a result, once one side was done, I flipped the roof around before applying the material to the other side. The difference, because of how the material overlaps, is disconcerting when viewed from either end (the normal viewing angle).
Less than 24 Hours Later
Off came the offending side of the roof! The most difficult part of the process was removing the residual left from the "industrial strength" double sided tape. A single edged razor blade seemed to work best.
When it came time to replace the corrugated roofing I did run across a problem with some of the Wild West Models corrugated material; it wasn't cut straight. This problem effected about 15-20% of the material in 2 or 3 packages, to varying degrees, purchased several years ago. I'll let you all know how Wild West Models responds to my email concerning this problem.
The replacement roof (side) with thinner .015" ridge cap... A big improvement!
The Granulator also got an application of Wild West corrugated roofing and some weathering. Based upon the results achieved on the Granualator, I think I will tone down the roof on the Receiving Shed.
A Layout for a 1940's era RGS Calumet Branch
As some of you may already know, I have developed a plan to replace my existing RGS 1st District layout with a proto-freelanced Sn3 layout based upon the RGS's Calumet Branch as though it still existed in 1944. The proposed change is driven primarily by the need to upgrade my present layout room which is located in a converted 3-car garage with upgraded HVAC, lighting and new floor covering (rubber backed padded carpeting). At my age, the current arrangement is only comfortable from about May through September when I'd rather be spending my time on outside activities. And, to do the upgrades right, the layout should probably be removed before the work starts.
A Brief History of the Calumet Branch
A rich seam of coal was discovered near Perins Peak a few miles northwest of Durango in 1891. With the backing of New York bankers, the Boston Coal & Fuel Company was organized to develop a mine and build a narrow gauge railroad The Boston Coal & Fuel Company railroad was constructed from Franklin Junction on the RGS, 2.8 miles west of Durango, to Perins Peak. The Calumet Branch was 4.7 miles long and built on a steady 4.5% grade. The line opened in November of 1901.
DURANGO
The New York Mining & Smelting Company set up smelting operation in Durango in 1890. The smelter prospered through 1897 when the company was reorganized as the San Juan Smelting & Mining Company. Production increased annually until the Silver Panic of 1893 forced the plant to shut down. In 1899 the American Smelting & Refining Company took over the smelter, including one from Denver, Leadville, and Pueblo. The “Durango” smelter initially closed down in 1930.
During World War II low grade carnotite and vanadium ores from tailings piles from both Vanadium and Rico were processed at the Durango smelter into 93% pure “yellow cake”. According to ICC reports, from 1941 to 1945, the RGS moved 5,785 carloads of ore from points online to the smelter. It took 1,000 tons of ore to produce one cigar box sized block of U-238. The U-238 was then shipped to Oakridge, TN where it was enriched for the production of atomic weapons.
The San Juan/Graden Flour Mill in Durango
WEST DURANGO
In December of 1929 the Rio Grande Southern was placed in receivership and Victor A Miller became the designated receiver. In 1934, in order to save money, the Rio Grande Southern built a small terminal at West Durango. The cost of the engine house, goose barn, station and the ground for the wye was $5,700. The savings, versus renting space and services from the Denver & Rio Grande in Durango were just over $7200 during the first full year of operation.
FRANKLIN JUNCTION
Franklin Junction was never more than a simple siding and junction point between the RGS mainline and the Calumet Branch
THE TRIANGLE COAL MINE
The Triangle coal mine was located about ½ mile northwest of Franklin Junction and a little over 3 miles west of Durango. It was developed around 1929. The coal arrived at the tipple via an aerial tramway. The mine was still producing in 1952 when the RGS shut down.
THE CALUMET MINE AT PERINS PEAK
The tipple sorted coal into three grades of lump, nut and slack. By the end of 1902, production was 2,000 tons per day and the four-track yard could hold 74 cars. The appearance of the mine changed over the years due to at least 3 fires that destroyed the tipple and/or surrounding facilities. At its peak, the mine produced around 80 carloads a week for D&RGW locomotives and up to 40 carloads a week for the RGS.
The Calumet Mine in 1906.
For motive power, the Boston Coal & Fuel Company purchased Rio Grande Southern 2-8-0 #35.
A Layout Based Upon the Calumet Branch circa 1944 - Durango to Perins Peak
The layout represents the 2.8 miles between Durango and Franklin Junction (RGS Mainline) and the 4.7 miles between Franklin Junction and Perins Peak (RGS Calumet Branch) as if were still operational in 1944. Unlike the current RGS 1st District layout, the new layout includes an emphasis on operations with slightly wider aisles, more than twice as many “car spots” and helper operations.
- The Durango Smelter
- West Durango
- Franklin Junction
- Triangle Mine
- High Bridge
- Summit
- Perins Peak/Calumet Mine
Main Level
Layout Notes:
West Durango - The plan is a pretty accurate representation of the prototype. A siding was added between the main line and the Goose Barn.
Franklin Juct - The expanded 1943-44 version of Franklin Junction focuses primarily on economic activity associated with agriculture; livestock along with crops tailored to feed cattle and sheep. Oats, barley, wheat and rye along with potatoes were also cultivated in areas around the Animas River.
The RGS interchange with the D&RGW at Durango and the RGS north of Franklin Junction are represented by hidden staging.
Two automated hidden reverse loops will also provide for a continuous run. Notably, the plan doesn’t include a “main” yard which I feel would take more away from the layout, operationally, than it would contribute. A small yard has been included adjacent to the smelter.
Upper Level
3D View of Main Level
3D View of Upper Level
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