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Digital photos by Jon Bentz

The Denver North Park & Western is a freelance road that connects on its east end with the Union Pacific & CB&Q (Burlington Route) at Sterling Colorado. It also connects to the east with the Missouri Pacific, Rock Island, Santa Fe and Rio Grande at Denver. The Denver and Sterling Subdivisions connect at Evans Park (named after Jon’s son) and continues west up the Cache de la Poudre river cresting the Continental Divide at Raven Pass (fictional). The DNP&W then continues to the northwest to Green River (UP connection) and onward to Butte, Mont., where it connects with the Milwaukee Road and NP.

The part of the railroad modeled is between Evans Park and Gillens Park (fictional). The line is shared with the Rio Como, a coal hauler that was originally a pioneer narrow gauge line. The route is characterized by steep grades (4% ruling grade) and spectacular scenery. Jon's photos show Elsie Creek (shots with the station and flat car bridge) and Grotto ( shots with high bridges). You can download a .pdf file here* with the route schematic that shows all stations.

Jon has equipment for the late 1960s & early ‘70s as well as the late ’80s and early ’90s. This lets him run classic late era passenger trains as well as Amtrak, not to mention a wide range of power. The DNP&W roster is mainly up-to-date modern high horse power units for both eras with leased and connecting-line power. The Rio Como roster is all very tired looking secondhand power from the Southern Pacific, Milwaukee, RI, and Rio Grande.

*You'll need Adobe® Acrobat Reader® to view this file. Go to Adobe.com to download the free reader.

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Last updated 6/20/03