Rio Grande Southern in Scale

Decades ago there was a narrow gauge railroad in the San Juan mountains of Colorado known as the Rio Grande Southern. Steam engines traveling thru spectacular mountain scenery and over wooden trestles provided the only easy access to mines and livestock movements.

They used old Pierce Arrow cars converted to run on the rails to keep the marginally profitable railroad running years past when it would have gone out of business. These rail cars carried passengers and freight and acquired the nickname of "Galloping Goose" due to how they waddled down the uneven tracks.

The railroad lives on in the memories of many due to the popularity of the prototype railroad with model railroaders. Ken Neufeld models the portion of the railroad that went from Dallas Divide to Ilium in S scale which is 1/64th actual size. His railroad is located in the basement of his home and runs along the walls at nearly eye level.

He invited fellow narrow gauge railroaders to see his layout and spend the afternoon running trains and Geese over the rails. What a great time!

Ken's attention to detail and use of subtle weathering makes for beautiful scenes and photo opportunities

Stopping for water heading up the grade

Details such as culverts, crossing buck and treatment of the "dirt" road bring realism to the scene

A rail fan stops to watch the train go by

The railroad travels next to the river and along the bluffs just like the real one did

The work goose stopped on Ken's hand laid track

Railroad all around the walls 

The weathering on the water tank is most realistic

Getting ready to load sheep onto double deck livestock cars

Portions of the layout lift up for access

Coal tipple at Vance Junction

Nicely detailed engine

 

 

I had a great time!

Riverfront RV Park

When you travel in a small motor home it is nice to be able to park in one location and see the various sights without having to unhook and drive to another location..

The Riverfront RV park in Little Rock is just across the river from the Clinton Presidential Library and is located in such a way as to allow easy access to various sights and local transportation. What a great location!

A pedestrian bridge just outside the park gives easy access to downtown Little Rock

Little Rock Bicycle Trails

We transported our bicycles on the back of the motorhome on our trip to Little Rock Arkansas. 

Normally we don't ride upright bicycles as the riding position is too hard on our wrists, shoulders and especially crouch, but they fit well on the carrier and are much easier to transport than recumbent bicycles.

The cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock have created a series of bike trails that wind along the river and cross at two pedestrian/bike bridges at either end of the trails. One is the pedestrian bridge that is in front of the Clinton Presidential Library and the other is a sweeping curved bridge that crosses at the dam that controls the Arkansas waterway depth and where tug boats and barges lock thru.

One of the bicycle bridges crosses in front of the Presidential Library

There are steep hills by the bike path and Presidential Library. Large sheet of cardboard are provided for those who wish to "sled" or "surf" down the hills.

The Big Dam Bridge crosses the river at the other end of the bike trail.

Several of the bike trail routes offer a relaxing ride thru the winding paths in the forests

Rest stops are found along the bike trail