| Last updated on December 2, 2020
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This is not the Chili line. Perhaps New Mexico, but not the Chili Line.
Beautiful layout! I love the southwestern scenery and adobe structures.
Thanks to all of you for kind words and support. I have been studying the Chili Lines since I was a young boy fishing with my father near Embudo, NM, and I could not figure out how a railroad travelled slob that impossibly narrow right-of- way.
Yep, my layout has no bearing on reality other than the "what-if" world about rumors that the railroad DID serve the Manhattan Project (in secret, of course). It is a fun way to create a little bit of New Mexico in my Florida home. To tell the truth, I am having fun and that's all that counts! As for the critics, it kind of makes me sad (even MR) that Model Railroading Is Fun … First and Foremost !
excellent looking layout! if I wasn't so deep into HO, I'd be modeling On30 also.
I enjoyed the video, wished it was longer. The adobe structures are nicely done and something I'd like to work one or two into my HO/HOn3 layout. In fact, I just realized I may even have a spot for a small village that would work, so put me down as one who's drawing some inspiration to model from Jim's work.
Jim's layout likely reflects his interests. It also wouldn't surprise me if he could beat the nitpickers in a prototype trivia contest. In a similar vein, I model a somewhat different Silverton Branch. Absolutely right, it's NOT prototypical, but serves as a place to run Rio Grande models in a believable setting. I know what really went on and sometimes I want to do something different for a variety of reasons.They might get worked up over that, too,, but are welcome to drop by and see what that involves over on the MR General Discussion forum in the weekly WPF thread where I'm a regular contributor. I know pretty much what the prototype did and I sometimes take exception to it. I suspect Jim is much the same. Sometimes what people see as unprototypical is a very intentional choice on the part of the builder. They know good and well what's prototypical — and they've decided to do something different in their modeling.
There's no rule that one must only model using a strictly prototype approach nor does a strictly prototype portrayal necessarily lead to good modeling. I've even seen folks paralyzed into doing nothing because they're were afraid someone would take them to task over something that might be erroneous. Life is too short to just not go ahead and have fun with model railroading, no matter what your philosophy on it might be.
Jim's layout is much better in person. When you can move around and look at all the details, it is truly inspiring. I had the pleasure of meeting Jim a year ago on a layout tour during our Sunshine Region 2013 Convention; he's a friendly guy and great to talk to. He told me recently that since this video, he as added additional details and has generally upgraded the whole layout as he's had time. He also earned his MMR this past year. Well done Jim!
Well done ! Awesome layout, especially using the space available. Nice adaptation of the Chili Line concept to your own satisfaction
Sorry Michael, Mr. Gore doesn't need to do anything he doesn't want to and can do whatever he chooses to do. I can see asking why he didn't follow the line closer, but that's his decision, something that a lot of people do. I feel he has a very nice little railroad, and I appreciate his sharing it with us. Also, it is "Chili", NOT Chile, which is in South America, Not southern Colorado/northern New Mexico.
It's sort of interesting to note that MR is now labelling the On30 as such. Previously they were calling it On2.5.
Looks like they've come over to what the rest of the world has been calling it- On30
Nice to see them doing some articles on it though. Many of us older modelers, read as failing eye sight- are moving to On30 to extend our modeling years, and the On30 has been very welcome.
Great modeling!!!! It never fails someone has to bust on it because it is On30 not On3.
Very impressive layout. Has a real "mood" about it, creating another time, another place, another world. Well done, Jim. You obviously have a lot of craft skills and an exceptional eye for detail and it shows.
Beautiful scenery and trains. A great layout. I love the sound those Bachmann trains make. The size at O Scale is flexible, and it's also able to be seen and appreciated by the naked eye.Terrific layout. Thanks. The only thing missing is some smoke.
Jim that's just great. I envisage the same sort of set up. I love the adobe style buildings and desert scenery.
Too bad the "Chili Line" didn't last long enough to reach Los Alamos. Missed seeing the rock siding on the Embudo depot. This ON30 stuff is ok, but I can't get used to undersized couplers at such low heights. Guess the Bachmann folks figured that if its running on HO track, it needs to have HO couplers.
This is some very fine modeling and shows how today's ON30 gear does well representing D&RGW equipment. However, the track plan and support structures have little resemblance to the actual Chile Line. It seems it should not be hard to model the stations that look like the prototypes (especially Espanola and perhaps the boxcar station at Ottowi. And no, the D&RGW's Chile line never ran to Los Alamos. It ran to Ottowi station several miles away down the mountains. Who said it did?
Great job Jim! Takes me back to my childhood in the Jemez mountains! Love the pueblo, and Espanola, too. I almost expected to see an a-bomb or two!