The United Verde & Pacific Railway
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 2:21 pm
Hey all, been a while again.
I've already announce a few projects I'm working on, and mentioned a few others. But I figured I'd start dedicated thread for one of them. And this one is my BIG project! Recreating the little known, but oh so charming United Verde & Pacific Ry in TRS12.
The UV&P was a 3ft gauge common carrier who's primary business was to haul smelted copper from the smelter in Jerome, AZ to the interchange with the Santa Fe Prescott & Phoenix RR at Jerome Jct. What is today known as Chino Valley. The UV&P wasn't very long, just a little over 26 miles. But what makes this line so interesting is not just its history, but the route of the line also. For roughly the first half of the railroad, around 13 miles or so give or take, is pretty strait. Only 6 or 7 curves for that stretch, but once the line passes its half way point the grade starts to viciously twist and wind its way over the jagged and serrated slopes of Woodchute Mt.! These curves are INSANELY sharp and warranted engines no long than 2-6-0s! One of the trains I love about this line. Below is a ling to an aerial map superimposed upon a modern satellite image. And if you follow it, you'll see just how rugged this line was!
http://www.davesriogrande.net/Maps/AZ/U ... cific.html
As you can see most of the grade is in tact as a dirt road, often used by those wanting a scenic drive through the Prescott National Forrest. Although there are no tunnels there are a number of cuttings along the route. One in particular towards the end of their "horseshoe curve" which was a sharp, flange squealing 140 degree curve! Below are some photos of the route and of the motive power and rolling stock.
The locomotives, as you can see, are very unique compact 2-6-0s. There really sin't anything close to them already available for Trainz so I'm commissioning the folks over at K&L Trainz to build them for the game. It'll be a while before they'll be able to start work on them, but I think they'll be great for both this route and as more generic versions as these chuncky steamers would be quite versatile on other slim gauge operations. A friend drew up a color drawing to give an idea of how these engines may have looked back in the day.
Progress on the route has started, track is roughly laid out, though is pretty accurate in term of the placement. Next up is grading and adding sidings. That's going to be one of the hardest parts. Sadly I don't have any shots of the progress so far, but I promise to post some soon! Also I'd like to give a huge thank you to Curtis for helping me with the terrain map, because without it this route would not be possible.
I've already announce a few projects I'm working on, and mentioned a few others. But I figured I'd start dedicated thread for one of them. And this one is my BIG project! Recreating the little known, but oh so charming United Verde & Pacific Ry in TRS12.
The UV&P was a 3ft gauge common carrier who's primary business was to haul smelted copper from the smelter in Jerome, AZ to the interchange with the Santa Fe Prescott & Phoenix RR at Jerome Jct. What is today known as Chino Valley. The UV&P wasn't very long, just a little over 26 miles. But what makes this line so interesting is not just its history, but the route of the line also. For roughly the first half of the railroad, around 13 miles or so give or take, is pretty strait. Only 6 or 7 curves for that stretch, but once the line passes its half way point the grade starts to viciously twist and wind its way over the jagged and serrated slopes of Woodchute Mt.! These curves are INSANELY sharp and warranted engines no long than 2-6-0s! One of the trains I love about this line. Below is a ling to an aerial map superimposed upon a modern satellite image. And if you follow it, you'll see just how rugged this line was!
http://www.davesriogrande.net/Maps/AZ/U ... cific.html
As you can see most of the grade is in tact as a dirt road, often used by those wanting a scenic drive through the Prescott National Forrest. Although there are no tunnels there are a number of cuttings along the route. One in particular towards the end of their "horseshoe curve" which was a sharp, flange squealing 140 degree curve! Below are some photos of the route and of the motive power and rolling stock.
The locomotives, as you can see, are very unique compact 2-6-0s. There really sin't anything close to them already available for Trainz so I'm commissioning the folks over at K&L Trainz to build them for the game. It'll be a while before they'll be able to start work on them, but I think they'll be great for both this route and as more generic versions as these chuncky steamers would be quite versatile on other slim gauge operations. A friend drew up a color drawing to give an idea of how these engines may have looked back in the day.
Progress on the route has started, track is roughly laid out, though is pretty accurate in term of the placement. Next up is grading and adding sidings. That's going to be one of the hardest parts. Sadly I don't have any shots of the progress so far, but I promise to post some soon! Also I'd like to give a huge thank you to Curtis for helping me with the terrain map, because without it this route would not be possible.