Cheyenne 1869 extension

[DanSSG]

Does RW tools calculate the cumulative length of all the track laid, or just mainline? Wouldn't two mainline tracks running parallel technically double the value RW tools shows?

It shows every type of track (Main Line, Yard, Passenger, Freight and unknown) and count them together. Parallel tracks would double the value.

Whether 150 or 135 it's still quite impressive, End to end is gonna take a whole day. ;)

Nah.. not a whole day. I've made a run from Rock Creek to Cheyenne East Stage Stop (about 112 miles) with some light engine switching in Laramie and Cheyenne to pick up coal and water while leaving the passenger cars at the depot. It took me about one hour to Laramie and additional three hours to Cheyenne.

And now some fresh pictures

Because of a dam this lake is much bigger today and the grade in underneath the water

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After about 8 miles and countless crossings of the Miser Creek...

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we're reaching Rock Creek, which is our next stop.

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[mrennie]

Excellent work as usual!

[DanSSG]

Some more details.

The town, itself, was founded in 1867. The railroad reached it in 1868, and the town became an important junction for freighters and stages heading north. It was the principle point of shipment for supplies for Fort Fetterman and Powder River Country.

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At the town's height, during cattle shipping season, a 100 car loads of cattle would be shipped out every day. Some 175 teams of freighters customarily shipped out from Rock Creek northward. With all of the freighters in town, Rock Creek could be rough.

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In the 1870's the eating station has been transfered from Laramie to Rock Creek, fifty-two miles farther west, the better to accommodate the hour of dining to the wants of travelers.
The dining-room is beautifully decorated with flowers, vines and horns of game, a pretty bay window with blooming flowers and walls covered with vines, and the display of hanging baskets, making the meal one of the most agreeable on the road.

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Although the 1880 census for Rock Creek reflects a total population of 91, the town at its height supported 5 saloons, but no churches. In addition to the saloons, the town had 2 hotels, the railroad depot, post office, the stage station, stockyards, and a school.

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[mrennie]

I love all these details

[qrfan3]

I love all these details

+1....Beautiful work Dan...

[Chirt1969]

Dan, your work is absolutely excellent! I have been working for UP as a conductor/engineer for nearly 5 years on this route (Cheyenne-Green River) and am very impressed by the level of detail and accuracy of this extension. While I do not know most of the history of this route, much of the original grade is still visible from the route that I traverse each day. If there is any way I can assist you in this project, I would be happy to help! Keep up the great work!

[DrTrenchcoat]

Those photos of the plains look absolutely amazing! It'll be great to take these trains over flat ground as well as Sherman Hill.

[DrTrenchcoat]

When I was doing a full run of the route with a consolidation and 8 car train I noticed the loco riding quite rough at speeds over (aprox)25 mph. Is this only on my system or is this an intentional decision. If the rough track was an intentional decision I would like to complement you, it certainly makes the ride feel more realistic.

[mrennie]

When I was doing a full run of the route with a consolidation and 8 car train I noticed the loco riding quite rough at speeds over (aprox)25 mph. Is this only on my system or is this an intentional decision. If the rough track was an intentional decision I would like to complement you, it certainly makes the ride feel more realistic.

It's intentional - I built the roughness into the track rule to represent the relatively poor state of the tracks that were laid initially. Soon after the Golden Spike ceremony, government inspectors checking the track demanded that sections of it be ripped up and done again.

[DanSSG]

Dan, your work is absolutely excellent!

I love all these details

+1....Beautiful work Dan...

Thanks

I have been working for UP as a conductor/engineer for nearly 5 years on this route (Cheyenne-Green River) and am very impressed by the level of detail and accuracy of this extension. While I do not know most of the history of this route, much of the original grade is still visible from the route that I traverse each day. If there is any way I can assist you in this project, I would be happy to help! Keep up the great work!

Well, right now I need mostly custom assets like buildings but if you can get historic information for the section between Medicine Bow and Rawlins (the track was laid via Carbon instead of Hanna between Medicine Bow and Walcott) that would be great if I maybe start a third stage.

Those photos of the plains look absolutely amazing! It'll be great to take these trains over flat ground as well as Sherman Hill.

I think it wouldn't take long until you can

And some more work in progress

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Our stop for today: Wilcox. Just a side track six miles away north of Rock Creek

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[mrennie]

It's an epic route!

I might even be inspired enough to build another UP steam loco next year (after I finish Promontory).

[DrTrenchcoat]

It's an epic route!

I might even be inspired enough to build another UP steam loco next year (after I finish Promontory).

Another UP locomotive would be great, maybe a prairie, mogul, or consolidation if the UP had them at the time. Regardless I look forward to whatever project you choose next. :)

[DanSSG]

We are now on our way to Como

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We still follow the Rock Creek westwards but will soon leave it for a while

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Trees... we haven't seen them for a while

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Instead of the trestle there is a dam today. I don't think the UP made the fill but it was already there on old areal views from 1947

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What you see there on the left is part of the Como Bluff. It's is a long ridge extending east-west, located between the towns of Rock River and Medicine Bow. Nearby dinosaur fossils have been found in the late 1870s.

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[mrennie]

Truly amazing!

[DrTrenchcoat]

That looks absolutely amazing!