Colorado Model RR Museum

Greeley, Colorado is the home to the Colorado Railroad Museum. This is a large, multilevel extremely realistic model railroad that is operated and maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers.

It was known for years as the Greeley Freight House, but was renamed to better define its function and make it easier to associate with model railroading.

This is a glimpse of the railroad as you enter

A detailed lift bridge model is right as you enter 

Stairs take you to a second level which gives an overview of the railroad

Snow sheds are modeled

RR advertising posters are on display

There is a wonderful series of displays to be found showing how model railroad scenery is created

You can look down upon detailed ore carrier modules

The day I was there all of the trains running were military trains in honor of Veterans Day.

Ore carrier model of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Beautiful detailing

Very effective use of a photo backdrop

This full size F Unit engine cab has a video of the model railroad visible thru the windshield

Water looks so realistic!

I've not seen this in real life, but I suspect the shapes are to show there is clearance for the following car(s)

You'd have to be a real trusting soul to use that outhouse

Some buildings on the layout have  real prototypes

Forest fires are modeled

The boxcars decorated for the railroads road name are especially interesting as a the full size version is parked outside behind the museum

Well worth your time to visit. Be sure to check their hours as they are not open every day.

Cheyenne Depot and Harry Brunk

We have had a visit to the Railroad Depot in Cheyenne Wyoming on our bucket list for quite some time now. We finally took the time to go.

This former Union Pacific railroad station has been lovingly restored and now is the home of a great railroad museum and a wonderful model railroad built by Harry Brunk. It is the latter we most wished to see. 

Harry Brunk is a man of many talents. He is a commercial artist, historian, model builder and writer. He has used these skills to research the Colorado and Southern narrow gauge railroad and write 160 articles about its history for the Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette as well as build models of each of the articles for use on his model railroad. This railroad was built in a 12' x 65' Detroiter mobile home over a thirty year period. He called his model railroad the Union Central and Northern RR - UC&N RR.

Eventually the mobile home severely deteriorated and the layout was at risk for being lost. A home was found in the second floor baggage loft of the Cheyenne Depot, the mobile home was transported from Nebraska and the layout moved into position.

The railroad museum on the main floor documents the history of the Union  Pacific railroad

I especially enjoyed reading about the gas turbine engines.

They have highly detailed models of steam engines built of various types of wood

Nice model of the depot

Lots of great art work on display 

Harry Brunk's model railroad is on the second floor in a former attic space

Various parts of the railroad are explained in detail.

The engines Harry built are now display items. The ones operating on the railroad are commercially available units from Blackstone. They wear out every five years or so due to constant operation.

This structure was a dance pavilion the C&S railroad transported passengers to for entertainment 

This is how the layout was arranged when in the mobile home

Harry made patterns and cast most of the details for the layout.

I especially like his treatment of water.

He has modeled the Georgetown loop 

The railroad is fitted among the rafters of the attic.

Volunteers maintain the railroad and serve as docents telling the history and running trains

I enjoyed seeing the railroad.

This glass enclosed area is equipped with comfortable chairs to enable hours of weather proof train watching of the UP rail yards, a rail fans delight.

More interesting art work

This is an example of the interior finish of the depot. They have a train show here during "Depot Days" and this area is full of model railroad suppliers.

Giant boots are found all over town. I think they were used as fund raisers.

It was a bit windy the day we were there - don't miss it when travelling thru.