Trains

Passenger Service

Built by my father in law, Don Fouse, this passenger train from Don’s Wolf Creek Pass Railroad now offers regular tours on Seven Rivers Railroad. The consist includes baggage, 2 combines, photographers car, three coaches, parlor car, and full service crew caboose. Double headed 4-4-0’s handle a full load with ease on the steep grades of Seven Rivers terrain. All hand built and painted by Don, I continue to study and learn from his work, and enjoy seeing it in action on my layout.

Sixty years of consistent consists! This train was the pride and joy of my layout when I was eleven years old, and it still provides reliable service on Seven Rivers Railroad.

The Sierra Railroad used 32′ shorty coaches to negotiate tight turns and steep grades of its mountain lines. I kit bashed this train in Wyoming during the summer and fall of 2019 from LaBelle and Ambroid kits. It includes baggage, combine, three coaches and Lisette Knottjeur’s private observation car. The worlds first observation caboose brings up the rear. The train is pulled by the first locomotive I built, a Tyco General, 4-4-0.

Ready for service in the Larody Rail Yard is the famous Seven Rivers Blue Spruce Train. Although a switcher (Roundhouse) is required to assist getting in and out of the yard, a Bowser Mountain locomotive will haul this train on all the main lines. Here is the consist of seventy foot coaches: baggage, combine, immigrant coach, luxury sleeper, dining, observation and full service crew caboose. I built these from Ambroid kits with special details from LaBelle.

Here is a working version of The Little Train of the Capira, a wonderful symphonic gem by Villa Lobos. I’d like to make a music video with both the train and the composition for you in the future, (but I have to learn how to do it!) The train features European style coaches and is powered by a Bowser Atlantic locomotive.

Work and Freight Trains

Don Fouse built all my freight trains. His MOW train, (maintenance of way) required extensive restoration, and I complemented it with a Roundhouse locomotive which I built.

On the banks of Horse Creek, sawmill and lumber trains are ready to go! Except for the locomotive on the left, the trains and structures were all built by Don Fouse.

My locomotives and Don’s ore cars load up at Knottjeur’s Ore Mine. Don also built the structures and the wonderful trestle. It took some doing to build a scene around it!

Seven Rivers can run two trains simultaneously, and including the yard, I can stage a dozen trains in my small space. Don built some other freight trains with cattle cars, box cars, tank cars and more. I have also collected or built some other rolling stock too. Right now, I’m into passenger service, and I’m an enthusiastic student of the early American passenger car.