Denver Society of Model Railroaders

On October 22nd the membership of the DSMR was invited to a guest operation of the HO scale Rocky Mountain Line; also a feature layout in Great Model Railroads 2012.

The membership of the DSMR had a great time operating this fabulous world class model railroad owned by Don Meeker.

The crew of the DSMR and The Rocky Mountain Line prepare for the evening operations session. Normally up to 27 member crew can operate the railroad.

Hugh Blaney was put in charge of the Joint Line Terminal.

Leo Lamanuzi hostels cars in the yards building trains.

The Dispatch Center

High bridges, steep grades and deep mountain canyons are everywhere!

A scratch-built masterpiece of the Denver Union Station stands in Centennial City.

Every detail in operations is thoroughly carried out in exacting precision. Car cards line the slots in 9th Street Yard, ready for building trains.

Beautiful scenery graces the entire Rocky Mountain Line.

Beautiful detailing in every location on the railroad.

Full dispatch controlled functioning signals make the experience of operations on the Rocky Mountain Line as real as it gets.

Roger Clark operates in Buffalo Rock.

Don Meeker stands next to his beautiful Denver Union Station.

Thank you Don, we had a GREAT time and what a BEAUTIFUL Railroad!

To learn more about the Rocky Mountain Line pick up a copy of the current Great Model Railroads 2012.

Recently Denver Union Station’s parking lots have closed permanently.

We encourage everyone to come down and see our model railroad and enjoy the trains that run during our Friday open houses. Please be aware that only limited parking is now available in the vicinity of the station due to on-going construction around the station. We suggest carpooling or taking RTD light rail to downtown or to the Union Station RTD stop. In either case, you can take the free 16th street shuttle to the bus stop across from the Tattered Cover and walk to the pedestrian lanes leading to the station doors that are now open.

The Map below shows the access to the station. Once inside the usual access is the same. You can either use the elevator in the south wing of the station or the stairs. The security guards will also direct you to our location if asked.

Hugh Blaney President

John P. O’Donnell

In Memoriam

Board member and master modeler of our organization has passed.

John was 52, died Friday, January 6th at Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center, following a brief illness.

He will be greatly missed.

John was an avid model railroader and master model builder. He was a board member of the Denver Society of Model Railroaders and treasurer of the Boulder Model Railroad Club. John was an expert model builder and won many awards both locally and nationally for his modeling of trains and railroad structures. His Best of Show awards are well known from the National Narrow Gauge Conventions. He was BMRC Modeler of the Year for 2011. A number of his models are part of the Colorado Midland layout.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thurs., January 19th, Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 2312 14th Street, Boulder, CO. Father Terrence Ryan will officiate. A reception will follow at the church. A private family burial will be held.

Some of John’s exquisite modeling

Boulder Farm House

Completely scratch built using an old photograph found in a Boulder Historical Publication.

Winner: Best of Event, Boulder Model Railroad Club 2010

Narrow Gauge Work Train

29th Annual National Narrow Gauge Convention winning models

We will miss you John. May your signals be all green.

Please stop in and say hello at our next open house Friday, January 27th at 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

Recently the DSMR decided to build a portable operating On3 module for display at local train shows. This year we have already visited the TCA Rocky Mountain Toy Train Show in November and The Boulder Train Show in Longmont.  Children love to the see the narrow gauge locomotives operate; the sounds and the moving running gear fascinate the kids. In the coming months scenery and structures will be added to enhance the experience.

We will have the On3 module on display on March 19th and 20th, 2012 at the next TCA Rocky Mountain Toy Train Show at the Denver Merchandise Mart.

Club member Leo inspects his K-27 #452 while dropping a box car on an industrial siding.

Club treasurer Chip gives instruction to a show spectator how to operate the whistle on #452

Kids of all ages love to operate a steam locomotive.

At the NRHS Railfair in Golden.

William Freeman, founding member of the DSMR designed and built our current DC standard gauge operating system. Despite the modern marvels of DCC Freeman’s system, built and designed in the late 1950′s was simply profound.

Above is an example from his documentation used to explain the basic relay networks used in each cab. Using a 24 volt bus Freeman designed the system to accept multiple cabs; only 4 were eventually installed but with room to add several more if needed based on growth of the railroad.

Leo Lamanuzzi, a club member with experience in relay networking begins the task of mapping for creating an updated diagram of the system. In this photo the 1959 Freeman operating system can be seen. The lower bank of relays are for track power. These relays carry the higher amp loads necessary to operate the older high amp motors used in the 1950′s. The system is virtually indestructible.

The origins of much of the wiring dates to World War Two. Control equipment such as this front landing gear relay box for a B-17 is typical.

A close up of the control relays for the cabs

Track propulsion control relays and wiring.

Recently updated cabs likely taken around 1960.

Further documentation about the propulsion circuitry and the ability to expand the system with signaling written January 21, 1959.

Most of the turnout controls use B-17 WWII tail trim motors pictured above.

Some of the original bench-work dating from 1935 including the Post War turnout motor improvements.

In the coming weeks I will continue to add the details regarding Mr Freeman’s innovative DC control system on the Midland Route.