Silver San Juan

SILVER SAN JUAN

The Silver San Juan Division held its Spring meeting in Farmington, NM on April 29, 2017 in the beautiful Farmington Museum. Memories were shared regarding 3 division or former division members who had passed away since the previous meeting.

The program consisted of presentations from the Durango Railroad Historical Society and its ongoing preservation program. The Society hopes to have a restored example of each of the nine types of historic

Narrow Gauge D&RGW rolling stock along with interpretive signage,

examples of which were presented.

Jim Griffin, railroad author focused on the D&RGW, gave a clinic

focused on examples of how railroads met changing needs by modifying existing rolling stock into repurposed, remodeled cars extending their use on the railroad. He had models demonstrating how the D&RG created a steam generator from a steam locomotive tender.

Photo Eric Mill

Our newest BOD member, Eric Mill gave an extensive clinic on a scratchbuilt mill and mine complex with prototype photos he used in his freelance design. He included a very detailed description of the milling process and how it was used in his model.

Long time member Van Chaney then presented a clinic on Decoder Pro

and JMRI. Van is one of our local experts on DCC programing covered many newer aspects of the program since he last presented some years

ago.

All photos unless otherwise noted Carol Schmudde

The final clinic of the day was presented by Superintendent Martin Pirnat with a slide presentation on the Rio Grande Southern as taken by Robert F. Shank. Most of the slides were from the early 1950s, and captured the late RGS as it ran its final trains, and then documented the early years after abandonment.

In Other News

The date for the Division’s Fall meeting has not yet been set. We will be looking at a new venue in the Durango area, as the local Head Start that has been our gracious host for many years is undergoing changes in their facility.

Division members assisted at the Rocky Mountain Regional Convention in June, providing staffing for 3 layout tours that were well received by convention attendees. Thanks to all who participated.

Martin Pirnat

Superintendent