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Welcome to the DSMR web site!

November 9, 2010 in General

Welcome to the Denver Society of Model Railroaders web site.  Since our Club’s first debut online on October 18th, 2004 we’ve always tried to make our web experience almost as enjoyable as a visit to our location.  We realize that not everyone is able to visit us in person therefore our photo and video galleries help bring some of the model railroading excitement into your home.

With our latest site the plan is to expand upon the offerings of our first site while adding additional features.  We’ll be outlining many of the new web site features here in the near future as we continue with our build.  For now, we encourage you to register for a user ID and password as they will be your ticket to some of the member only areas of the site in the future.

We thank you for visiting us and hope you’ll visit us often as we continue to expand our online presence via this new web site.

The Denver Society of Model Railroaders is not affiliated with the Platte Valley and Western Model Railroad. If you need information regarding the Platte Valley & Western Model Railroad, please visit their website: http://www.pvwrr.org/


“On track for 80 years!”



Denver Union Station: Portal to Progress – Trailer from Havey Productions o­n Vimeo.

 

We look forward to seeing you in 2014!

February 27, 2012 in General

The Colorado Midland Railroad is now closed to the public for the duration of the Union Station Hotel renovation. 

We want to thank all of you that have attended our monthly open houses. 

The Colorado Midland Railroad’s open houses will resume after the Spring of 2014




Please stop by our website for updates on the status of the DUS renovation and our layout.

We look forward to seeing you in 2014!

 

Historic photos of the layout

August 29, 2011 in General

DCC on the Midland

March 1, 2011 in General

Saturday February 12th, Skip Waugh and I powered up the Grays/No Name DCC power district on the narrow gauge for its initial start up and programmed all the stationary switch machine decoders for Grays. Once we finished with the stationary decoder programming we started to test the track with RGS 455 with a short string of cars in tow. As usual we had a few missing track drop leads which is common when doing a conversion like we are doing and are fixing them as we find them.

What causes missing drops when converting from DC to DCC? Mostly it is you missed noticing a rail gap that was part of a DC block, our rail gaps are filled with styrene and once the rail is weathered sometimes you miss one or two.

So we will continue to test for the next few weeks looking for trouble spots such as proper switch throw, no engine stalls, and track infrastructure before we connect the command bus to the Junction DCC power district so we can run between the 2 districts.

Why independently test each DCC power district prior to connecting them? It’s a basic troubleshooting statement which is divide and conquer. We will know any issue we see is related to the DCC power district we are testing in and not being caused by something going on in another DCC power district. Also when you connect the command bus from on district to another if you have a issue you also know it is just related to the command bus cable connection.

I will cover our locomotive testing practices for a DCC power district in my next update.

Eric Bacchi  Narrow Gauge Operations Team

Narrow Gauge on the Midland

February 14, 2011 in General

Standard Gauge on the Midland

November 28, 2010 in General

Location FAQ

November 11, 2010 in Location FAQ

Ask a question


Location

where are you located?

I'm not familiar with downtown Denver. Is there parking available right there at Union Station for your "open house" evenings? Thank you.

Where are you located?


Membership FAQ

November 11, 2010 in Membership FAQ

FAQ

What are the requirements to join?

Having in interest in trains and be willing to help with projects on the layout.

How long is the trial/probationary period?

It usually lasts six months

What is the purpose of the trial/probationary period?

It allows you, and us, to determine if the relationship is good

What is the cost of the trial/probationary period?

$30

What are membership dues?

$150 per year payable either annually or semi-annually

Do I need to have 2-rail equipment?

Not at all, however, if you have some or want to buy some, that is great

Do I have to own my own equipment in order to run trains?

Not at all, once you are a qualified engineer, you can run any equipment on the railroad

What projects are currently being worked on?

The big project is converting the layout to DCC.  We have started with our narrow gauge and as soon as that is completed, we will start on the standard gauge.  We are also relaying track and adding or improving scenery and structures

Come down any Tuesday evening at 7 PM to visit and learn more.

Ask a question


Membership

You guys have a really interesting web site. Love the photos and videos. I am curious if you have ever thought about doing some member profiles on the site? I may be weird, but I always find it fascinating to learn about the members behind the scenes. What got them into trains and what is their primary area of interest and such. Just a suggestion.

How does one become a member?


Schedule FAQ

November 11, 2010 in Schedule FAQ

Ask a question


Schedule

My wife and I are planning a Denver trip in June and it looks like your open houses are the last Friday of the month. So, do you know if you plan on one for June 29

Hello, I\'m a visitor from Europe planning to arrive in Denver on Friday, Feb. 24th, but my flight has been rescheduled. If I can\'t make it in time, is there another chance to see your layout on Sat. and/or Sunday? Many thanks and best regards! Dominic

Do you have hours for the public that are not Friday evenings?

where is your run schedule?

are y ou open on christmas eve? What times?

Is there any charge for your monthly Open Houses?

My 2 1/2 year old son loves trains. Do you encourage children to come to your open house dates?

When can the public view the models?

Why are you not open during the summer months?

When are you open for public viewing?


Layout FAQ

November 11, 2010 in Layout FAQ

Ask a question


Layout

Are reservations required?

Who actually owns the trains and other items on your layout? Are these club owned or do members donate their own trains etc. for use?

What is the approximate size of the layout?

Are you still building on your layout or is it complete at this point?


F.A.Q.

November 11, 2010 in FAQ

Ask a question


General

I inherited some model trains that I would like to sell. Can I send you a list of items? To what email address?

I would like to bring a Cub Scout Den to view the model as a part of our achievements. Is this something that we can schedule directly with you?

does it cost to view on friday night?

My father, a Master Model Railroader, is in town and wanted to know if there was some way to come by and see your exhibit.

I can not find the run schedule on your website, I was also wondering if you had different hours for the holidays?

We are visiting downtown next thursday12/16. Is there any chance of bringing a few kids down to see the trains around 10 am?

Are there certain standard hours that the model trains are open for public viewing, or is it only for certain special events?


Layout

Are reservations required?

Who actually owns the trains and other items on your layout? Are these club owned or do members donate their own trains etc. for use?

What is the approximate size of the layout?

Are you still building on your layout or is it complete at this point?


Schedule

My wife and I are planning a Denver trip in June and it looks like your open houses are the last Friday of the month. So, do you know if you plan on one for June 29

Hello, I\'m a visitor from Europe planning to arrive in Denver on Friday, Feb. 24th, but my flight has been rescheduled. If I can\'t make it in time, is there another chance to see your layout on Sat. and/or Sunday? Many thanks and best regards! Dominic

Do you have hours for the public that are not Friday evenings?

where is your run schedule?

are y ou open on christmas eve? What times?

Is there any charge for your monthly Open Houses?

My 2 1/2 year old son loves trains. Do you encourage children to come to your open house dates?

When can the public view the models?

Why are you not open during the summer months?

When are you open for public viewing?


Membership

You guys have a really interesting web site. Love the photos and videos. I am curious if you have ever thought about doing some member profiles on the site? I may be weird, but I always find it fascinating to learn about the members behind the scenes. What got them into trains and what is their primary area of interest and such. Just a suggestion.

How does one become a member?


Location

where are you located?

I'm not familiar with downtown Denver. Is there parking available right there at Union Station for your "open house" evenings? Thank you.

Where are you located?