Columbia Valley Pacific

[wacampbell]

Would this be an okay story, Mr. Campbell, since it is your route?

Sounds plausible. I like the red cab roof. It makes me wonder if CVP's red and black diesel loco color scheme got it's start with the steam loco's.

[buzz456]

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F3s on the prowl.

[wacampbell]

I see a new B unit tucked into that consist - very nice! With that much power, running the canyon should be a walk in the park.

[buzz456]

I see a new B unit tucked into that consist - very nice! With that much power, running the canyon should be a walk in the park.

Not exactly. Sixty box cars on there in that quick drive. Just made it. Of course that consist was a bit much.

[TheR62Fan]

Not exactly. Sixty box cars on there in that quick drive. Just made it. Of course that consist was a bit much.

I agree, I drove the BLE Santa Fe in the canyon with 35 loaded boxcars... and stalled, near the end. I might see if approaching at a higher speed can help.

[wacampbell]

I spent a lot of time, testing and rebuilding the grades through the canyon. One of my prototypes was the Kettle Valley Railway through BC which did regular operations over 3% grades with 2-8-0 and 2-8-2 locomotives. I wanted enough challenge that a helper would be needed. For the most part you can't make the run with a single locomotive. I ended up with the steepest section at 3.3%. Train length factors in also and I set my siding length at 1000 ft - say 20 cars plus loco and caboose. A pair of Mountain or Santa Fe type locos should be able to walk through the canyon with 20 cars no problem. But in doing some testing I found very few of our available steam locos could make the run. Some of them ( won't say which ones ) could hardly do the run without any cars. I figured it was just my lack of knowledge about how to run a steam locomotive. But it was one of the reasons I abandoned 1920's steam and switched to the diesel era.

[TheR62Fan]

I completely understand Thanks for all the hard work making a fun and interactive grade. I like to think of this route as early 50s steam - late 1st gen diesel. That gives me an idea. Perhaps one of the last jobs of the 2-10-2s was helper service pushing diesels up the canyon.

[buzz456]

I spent a lot of time, testing and rebuilding the grades through the canyon. One of my prototypes was the Kettle Valley Railway through BC which did regular operations over 3% grades with 2-8-0 and 2-8-2 locomotives. I wanted enough challenge that a helper would be needed. For the most part you can't make the run with a single locomotive. I ended up with the steepest section at 3.3%. Train length factors in also and I set my siding length at 1000 ft - say 20 cars plus loco and caboose. A pair of Mountain or Santa Fe type locos should be able to walk through the canyon with 20 cars no problem. But in doing some testing I found very few of our available steam locos could make the run. Some of them ( won't say which ones ) could hardly do the run without any cars. I figured it was just my lack of knowledge about how to run a steam locomotive. But it was one of the reasons I abandoned 1920's steam and switched to the diesel era.

I'm going to take that as a challenge later on today.

[buzz456]

Every railroad worth its salt needs a open platform observation car.

Screenshot_ A Peace River_56.23849--117.29014_12-01-28.jpg

[mindenjohn]

Great job Buzz.
The directors and their guests will enjoy the excursions through the canyon. I’m hoping to get a ticket to ride.

[buzz456]

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[Fireexplorer249]

Here is a little something for you ALCoholics out there. Still very much a work in progress, but enough to say that it is coming...

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[Chacal]

The RWA file library now has several CVP boxcars, and a reefer is almost ready.
Also we have a CP repaint of GreatNortherner's 36ft boxcar, useful for scenarios with CP trains.

[ssbobz]

I'm really enjoying the route. In an earlier post or draft of the manual I saw mention of the logging branch being 5 miles long, was that removed or remains to be completed? I added in Britkits logging assets anyway.

[wacampbell]

I'm really enjoying the route. In an earlier post or draft of the manual I saw mention of the logging branch being 5 miles long, was that removed or remains to be completed? I added in Britkits logging assets anyway.

I am glad you like the route. The logging branch meets the CVP at Ryan Creek. I haven't finished much beyond the interchange tracks and engine service area, but the logging assets would fit right into those areas. One day I'll get ambitious and extend the branch into the backwoods some more.