BEAR CREEK RAILROAD
The fourth reincarnation of the Bear Creek Railroad is near its completion.
The G scale garden railroad was born in Nokesville, near the historic train town of Manassas, Virginia.
Fifteen years or so was moved to upstate New York where the track was laid under big trees. This proved not to be a good idea because after October it was difficult to keep away the leaves away.
So, the trains was moved around a large natural pond where it was for four years, but again the maintenance of the track was difficult because of the uneven surface, with the rain pushing the ballast to the water.
Near the pond was a large surface (about 100 by 60 feet) ideal for the railroad, but it was covered by large trees and ticks bushes. After several months of hard work to cut and remove the debris, the terrain was ready to begin laying the tracks and at the beginning of 2017 the Bear Creek Railroad was in operation again. Except for a large passing track, everything is complete and operating on the BCR, which has a crew of just three people. My wife, Angelica, my son, Herman Jr., and myself. My daughter, Jennifer, has cooperated with the purchasing of buildings, track and locomotives. My son Carlos lives in Chicago; his children enjoy the BCR when they come to visit.
The help from Angelica, with plants and flowers, and from Herman Jr. with the solution of technical and logistical problems has been terrific. He also constructed the 24 foot-long double bridge over the southwestern tip of the lake.
The crew hopes to offer a more detailed version of the layout in future installments, but for the time being here are some pictures of the three layout versions:
The help from Angelica, with plants and flowers, and from Herman Jr. with the solution of technical and logistical problems has been terrific. He also constructed the 24 foot-long double bridge over the southwestern tip of the lake.
The crew hopes to offer a more detailed version of the layout in future installments, but for the time being here are some pictures of the three layout versions:
New bridge will be painted next spring (2012)
17 years old Jose the Cat inspecting the tracks. She died a little later.
Jose follows the LGB track cleaning locomotive
Crew members make sure that there are no problems with the tracks on the bridge
The Uintah 50, one of the favorites on the FLRR, with caboose
Over the bridge after the first light snow of Fall, 2011
RS3 leased from the original railroad, the Bear Creek and Black Rock Lines
The last car of a freight train, A Pan Am box car, leaving Mills Station
The CT16 passing thru ivy, as the Uintah 50 speeds by in the background.
Freight train over pond in the old BC&BR Lines (Photo by Gary A. Cameron)
Another nice image by professional photographer and friend Gary A. Cameron
Flowers by the track seem to be waiting for a train
Grandchildren playing by the tracks
Grandson Paul, too small to walk, but crawling over the track is OK
Carlos, oldest brother of Paul, helping his grandfather
The gravel has to be smoothed around the tracks
More help from Carlos
The gravel bags are heavy!
The green of the summer has given way to the white of snow.
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