In-ko-pah RR -- Springtime in the desert

[Ray Dunakin]

Hi! It's been a while since I've been to this forum. I've been busy working on some model buildings. But I needed a break from that, so lately I've been doing some work on the layout. (It's a 1/24th scale outdoor model railroad.)

I'm "fine-tuning" some of the rock work on older areas of the layout, and also creating and installing hundreds of miniature, scale plants. And, I'm working on improving my photography, trying out different camera angles, lighting, etc. Here are a few of my recent photos:

This first shot is one of my favorites... A train crosses the Serenity Canyon Viaduct, as the setting sun casts long shadows on the ruins of an old mine. The loco is a Bachmann "Annie" with a Barry's Big Trains custom drive:




The fireman of this locomotive takes a moment to enjoy the view as the late afternoon sun highlights the rocks and plants:




A bird's eye view as a train traverses the cliffs of the In-ko-pah Railroad:




A view of the abandoned Monolith Mine, as seen from a train on the Serenity Canyon Viaduct. Note the red-tail hawk on the headframe:




Another view of the train on the Serenity Canyon Viaduct:




Scraggly ocotillos, prickly cholla cactus, brittlebush, and other desert shrubs dot this rocky ridge as a train passes in the distance:






The train struggles upgrade in the shadow of the cliffs:

[Doneldon]

Wonderful photos, models and plants.  But just one question: When do you plan to fix that nearly washed out track in the third photograph?  You'll be spilling water and coal all over the place if you don't.  Seriously, though.  Thanks for the great views.

[uncbob]

Looks great

[mhampton]

Wonderful photos, models and plants.  But just one question: When do you plan to fix that nearly washed out track in the third photograph?  You'll be spilling water and coal all over the place if you don't.  Seriously, though.  Thanks for the great views.

I had to look a couple of times to see it, but I think the "wash out" in photo 3 is actually looking down on the trestle in photo 2.  No fear of spilling coal as the Annie appears to be an oil burner  .

[Doneldon]

mhampton-  Good point.  I guess I was so busy being cute that I forgot to be accurate.

[Ray Dunakin]

Thanks! I also have some photos and info about how I make my plants:

http://www.raydunakin.com/Site/IRR_Plants.html