Railroading runs in my family. My maternal grandparents were born and raised in Silverton, CO and I’ve spent numerous childhood summers watching the Durango and Silverton pull into town. On my father’s side, I had a great uncle who spent his career on the D&RGW, working in the car shops and eventually in North Yard. My grandfather had a garden railway in his yard which we grandsons would help get running in the spring. His passion really stoked the passion for railroading and the hobby in me.

I model predominantly in N scale, but have been also able to construct a small G-scale layout in my backyard with my grandfather’s collection. It is my way of honoring his memory.

My N scale layout, the Colorado Midland Western, is a proto-freelanced layout set between Redstone and Paonia, Colorado, crossing McClure Pass (an actual pass crossed by Colorado Highway 133), set in the fall of 1952. While a railroad never made such a crossing, I incorporate aspects of actual railroads including the coal hauling operations of D&RGW’s Somerset Branch and the Crystal River and San Juan’s line to Marble.

I look forward to being inspired by other’s layouts on the forum and reaching out to folks for guidance and feedback. I will also happily share all the mistakes I’ve made as I continue growing in the hobby.