MER Clinic: Marshall Pass

The Denver & Rio Grande Western s Third Division across Marshall Pass in the Colorado Rockies was originally built in the early 1880s as part of the 771-mile narrow gauge trunk line from Denver to Salt Lake City. For years its sidings bulged with ore, coal, stock, lumber and agricultural produce, and narrow gauge crews armed with the best and newest products of Baldwin and Alco struggled to move tonnage over four percent grades in the teeth of winter blizzards. Loaded with beautiful mountain scenery and the romance of the Old West, Marshall Pass also featured all the elements of mountain railroading: quadruple headers, helper stations, and doubling the hill. Anyone searching for an operation-oriented prototype ought to give this line a second look. This clinic reviews the history and operations of the line and presents a layout design based on the Third Division.

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