The Consolidated South Western Railroad (CSWRR) is an imaginary Consolidation of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and the Union Pacific Railroad into a representative HO simulation with the flavor of the South Western United States. This imaginary condition is based on a real place and at a real time in the past, 1985. All buildings used on the railroad are generic easy to build plastic models and no effort has been made to duplicate any specific scene. The CSWRR is housed in a 30 by 40 foot basement and the construction of the 350 foot long double track main line was started in September of 1995. The CSWRR is located 15 miles from Palmer, Alaska and welcomes visitors to stop by for a while. Please call ahead first, (907)746-6414, or e-mail the CEO at cswrrceo@mtaonline.net.
Shown above, engine 4622, a rebuilt SD24u (SD26), eases it's train down through Verdimont on the west side of Cajon Pass. With the Dynamics Brakes howling, the train has only a few more miles before reaching San Bernardino and nearly level track.
The discovery of oil just above San Bernardino has created a new source of traffic for the CSWRR.
Once given clearance, Engine 6856 eases it's train over the SP's Riverside Branch at Riverside Junction. The tower is one of the first buildings built by the CEO over 40 years ago.
While major repairs are performed elsewhere, the San Bernardino Engine House is kept busy servicing the power used on Locals and Extras.
It looks like Chuck Overton has finally received his order from Temescal Supply and is busy loading up his van.
The power for the May Turn is stored by the CSWRR Storage shed and it looks like Engineer Almeida is wondering back from the local coffee shop. The May Turn power 2289, is a rebuilt GP9u with chopped nose and Topeka cab.
As one SP train is clearing the crossing at Colton, another one is about to ease it's train over the CSWRR Main. This is a great place to watch trains as it is never-ending action.
Not all loads on the CSWRR are simple to handle. Here an Extra Crew is handling a special long load through May.
A serious distraction on the CSWRR is caused by train crews slowing down to look at the bikini bathers in Lost Lake. Just exactly where Lost Lake is, I can't tell you, as it is lost.
On Saturday evenings, Arnold's is really a busy place. O'l Arnold can't flip them burgers fast enough to keep up with the crowd.
