Online Home of The Joshua Tree and Southern Grand Scale Railway.
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Please take note: For Updates visit:
JT&S Grand Scale Ry. Workday Schedule:
Next Scheduled Workday: Feb. 7th, 2009
2009 Spring Meet - May 2nd-3rd, 2009 - Steam operations, annual Grand Scale BBQ.
Ten Years on the JT&S Grand Scale Railway
The Grand Scale Railway of the Joshua Tree & Southern Railroad Museum began as an ambitious project decades ago by a few enterprising souls. By the mid 1970’s they had accomplished a great deal, including a modest start to the 100’ long trestle which was needed in order to cross the rather imposing arroyo. Then in the late 1990’s a new energy came on the scene and began to breathe renewed life into this little desert railroad.
The new group took stock of the assets that were available and began planning a bold, new vision. Without question, the future success of the railroad relied solely on the completion of the trestle that had been started so many years before. Also, it was decided that the railroad would require a locomotive facility, including a roundhouse with turntable.
That was ten years ago.
Within that time span, our volunteer crews were able to complete the 100 foot long Jack’s Gap Trestle. Also, the 15” gauge two-truck shay, original to the line, underwent massive reconstructive surgery and is now a wonderful mascot for our railroad. The initial phase of the roundhouse, construction of the footings and concrete block stem wall, have been completed. The turntable is another iconic structure which will be operational early this spring. The same goes for the curved cut in the hillside that the 60’ radius balloon loop will run through.
We are now beginning to turn our attentions to the 2009-2010 Season for the Grand Scale Railway. By November of ’09, we will begin framing up the roundhouse. In order to make that happen, we are now requesting donations totaling in the amount of at least $10,000. Our resources are once again lean, and what funds we have left available will only allow us to purchase the structural steel necessary for the headers and columns that will make up the front side of the roundhouse.
For those not quite familiar with the overall scope of our project, suffice it to say that we are taking this endeavor far beyond what other Grand Scale Railroad operations offer. In a scale of 5”=1’, we are recreating the Ridgway, Colorado locomotive terminal of the Rio Grande Southern railroad. This 1940’s era scale model will feature the key architectural elements, themed details and operating characteristics of its storied original. It will become a testament to those hardy souls who literally had to move mountains in order to build a nation.
This 50,000 square foot miniature railroad display is being developed to enlighten, educate, and entertain visitors to the JT&S Railroad Museum. To accomplish this, we are creating several guest interactive displays that will aid in the telling of the human story, both the romantic and the not so romantic aspects of railroading as it had once been in the Colorado Rockies.
Please consider this to be our “shout-out” to everyone who can help us kick-start this exciting, yet very critical, phase of our vision. As a special thank you gift for your generous support, each of our donors will receive a 4X6 color note card of the artist’s concept painting depicting our roundhouse facility and a letter of donation from the JT&S museum. All donations to our museum are 100% tax deductable.
Our very special donors who are able to send us a sum of $100 or more, will receive an added bonus of the 8X10 copy of the roundhouse rendering, autographed by the artist. Finally, a large dedication plaque with the names of all who have helped us realize our vision will be prominently featured inside the roundhouse for all to see.
Thank you for your continued support and thank you for sharing in our Grand Scale vision.
The JT&S Grand Scale Railway Crew
Donation checks may be made out to: JTSRR MUSEUM (please note "15-gauge roundhouse" in the memo line of your check). Mail to: JTSRR Museum PO BOX 475 JOSHUA TREE, CA 92252 All donations are 100% tax deductible! You may also donate using a credit card on Paypal by clicking on the button below: Donors names will be placed on permanent signage inside the structure. |
8"x10" matted art-director rendering of the future JT&S GSRy Roundhouse, by former Disney Imagineering artist Steve Abernathy, available for a $100.00 donation to the Roundhouse Fund.
Video by Ken Eells - Spring 2008 Meet featuring Miss Kelly, hogger Mike, and Girl Scout Troop 138 from Lakewood, CA. providing the "vocals":
Click here! The Roundhouse Fundraiser is on!
