Copper Gulch & Bear River Railroad

Welcome to the Copper Gulch & Bear River Railroad Blog! The layout is a freelance model railroad in O scale that depicts the time period during the late 1800's along the Utah / Arizona Border. The American West is alive and well with great vistas, towns, and rolling stock of the era. I've had numerous layouts over the years, but being a fan of the Old West I wanted to create something different, a unique display loaded with scenes and vignettes that would keep my viewers finding something new with every visit. So let the adventure begin and I hope you enjoy the Copper Gulch and Bear River Railroad, "Gateway to the Great American West".

I love these old photos that still survive from the era I modeI. Here's famed U.P #119 on a trestle. Obviously they were posing for this photograph.

Details... I always like to have a story behind an area just to give it interest. "Old Geezer Falls" were named after a local. There was an old recluse miner that could always be seen panning around the falls. No one knew his real name and just called him "Old Geezer". In 1867 they found him lying dead at the bottom of the falls. Obviously he fell from the falls. The folks that found him buried him right where they found him, and ever since then the area has been known as "Old Geezer Falls".

The Jupiter's counterpart at the Golden Spike Ceremony, Union Pacific's famed 119. I can't say enough about these Lionel Hybrids. They are a bit pricey, but in my humble opinion some of the nicest 4-4-0's every offered in this scale.

Famed Southern Pacific Golden Spike 4-4-0 the "Jupiter". This is one of the Lionel Hybrid 4-4-0's. These are spectacular models that run beautifully and have wonderful detail.

The last day for motive power on the CG&BR... I do have other railroads that traverse the layout from time to time. Here's Denver and Rio Grand Western Ten Wheeler No.473. This began life as an MTH Ten Wheeler that received a custom paint job, details and decals. She has a matching wood sided passenger consist to pull around the layout.

CG&BR Traction... Here's 4-4-0 No.6. This is an MTH Engine the received custom paint, details and decals.

There are several geared locos on the layout. This is Climax No.10, sole property of the Bear River Logging Company. It runs logs down from the mountains and delivers them to the mill in bear river.

Here's Heisler No.3 the "Prospector" and is the property of the Copper Gulch Mining Company. This is a Lionel Legacy Heisler that received custom paint, decals and details including the custom rack and wood load.

CG&BR Traction... Here's 4-4-0 No.60 the "General Grant". This was part of my President's Train project and the engines received custon paint and decals. The tender graphics include President Grant's likeness.

CG&BR motive power... 4-4-0 American No.33. This is an MTH engine that received some minor painting and custom decals. This one is pretty much delegated to the daily run up to Bear River.

CG&BR Ten Wheeler No.277, "The Pioneer". This is an MTH engine which received modifications to the stack, custom paint and decals. It's primarily used for passenger service.

CG&BR 4-4-0 No.167. This is an MTH 4-4-0 American with its original paint and just custom decals. She's one of the workhorses of the line, supporting both passenger and freight operations.

This one began life as an MTH 4-4-0 and received a complete overhaul. Custom cab, details, paint and decals. This is the engine for the Dunn & Duffy Circus train and as the story goes... Thomas Henry Dunn and John Allen Duffy, two Irish boys that made good and decided to bring their Circus to America. Once here they realized they would have to purchase used rail equipment. They found a wood burning 4-4-0 that functioned well, but the cab was virtually destroyed. When rebuilding the engine and painting her to draw attention to their Circus, they decided on a European style cab that they were more familiar with. Once completed the engine was named after the founder of the Dunn & Duffy Circus, T.H. Dunn.

CG&BR Engine Roster: H3 Consolidation No.19... This is an MTH Premier engine. This one received custom paint and decals along with a few details like the sun visors on the cab.

I get questions about what kind of motive power do I have for the layout. Over the next couple of days I'll post pics of the entire engine roster for the CG&BR. This is CG&BR Mogul No.11. This is a Lionel Legacy Mogul that has received custom paint and decals. The CG&BR uses it primarily for long haul passenger service to Yuma and Reno and can routinely be seen hauling 50' Overton Passenger Cars.

Every now and them I like to do a specialty train project. I decided that a train for the President in my layout's era would be unique. The "President Grant Train" was comprised of several cars and a custom painted 4-4-0 in his honor.