What a couple of weeks! First, I finished the Coors yard. In theory it will hold 12 cars. But, the rule has always been that a yard is full when it is half full. This holds true for Coors as well. Second, I got most of the ballast down. There is one spot on the Monte Vista passing siding that is not ballasted yet, as I am considering putting in a turnout to a long off spot track. No decision on that as yet. I also soldered in some power feeds to help a couple of spots where I was losing voltage. I added a power trunk line under the track to make it easy to connect feeders and to accomodate the eastern extension when I build that. The same system will support the western extension, which is a higher priority. The photo shows Coors yard with three tracks. From left to right, Grain Loading, Departure, Arrival. Ultimately, these will get numbers as is D&RGW prototypical practice. In the center of the photo, you can see the potato track with three reefers. Maximum capacity is four, but the fourth spot is not accessable to the loading dock. The potato track, will probably get numbered spots soon. Finally, to the right, you can see the tail end of a cut of covered hoppers heading east toward Alamosa.
Most of the time since my last report has been spent on operations. I have smoothed out the process around Monte Vista. Six and even seven car shipments are now well within my capability. There are three off spots, two on the strap siding and one adjacent to the depot. My original thinking on the depot was not for that siding to be for an industry. Now, I may make it a team track. This is certainly prototypical for the Rio Grande.
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