The First Train From Ridgway!

Trackwork in Durango is now complete, and the first train, powered by Rio Grande Southern C-19 No. 40, has successfully run from the connection to Ridgway through the reverse loop in Durango and back!  The following photos show this train, and a K-27 and Galloping Goose, at a few locations within Durango.

Rio Grande Southern No. 40 at the end-of-track, which will eventually connect Durango to Ridgway.  The train is traveling Eastbound from Ridgway.

Rio Grande Southern No. 40 has arrived at the Durango Depot in time to meet Goose 7.

Overall view of the Durango yard.  The connection to the Rio Grande Southern is the track on the far left, with RGS No. 40 and its train approaching Durango.

Rio Grande Southern K-27 No. 461 is turned on the turntable in Durango.  A New York Railway Supply turntable controller, relocated from my previous layout, will be used to power and index the turntable.

Rio Grande Southern No. 461, a Blackstone Models K-27, is coaling up at the Durango Coal Tower.  The loco is positioned on the scratchbuilt ashpit.

A pair of Drop Bottom Gondolas deliver coal to the coaling tower in Durango.  The gondolas were built from R Robb and Grandt Line kits several years ago.

Wiring of Durango has been completed, and will be the subject of an upcoming post.  As with the previous layout, this layout is operated by DCC, and will utilize stationary decoders for turnout control.