As we depart Denver Westbound we pass along the San Juan mountains.  On the left photo 1409 crosses the bridge and enters Toltec tunnel, you can also see one of the narrow gauge bridges in the background as it climbs towards Antonito and the upper level.  In the right photo 1409 emerges from Toltec tunnel and starts its turn towards the Rio Grande Del Norte gorge.

This last shot gives you a feeling for how deep the Rio Grande Del Norte gorge is.  The wooden trestle is 37 1/2 inches or 272 scale feet above the water surface and the steel arch bridge is 29 1/2 inches or 214 scale feet.

Since this section is 7 feet wide,  and 11.5 feet long with scenery all the way to the floor I had to devise some means of access if trouble should arise.  The gorge is divided into 4 sections.  Here are photos that show the gorge with the drawers closed and open:

The first section is stationary and can be seen back against the wall starting at the water fall and going back under the highline bridge to the mountain backdrop.

The second is mounted on full extension drawer slides that pull to the left, the seem is hidden with the rock ledge with trees and bushes about half way up the right side of the gorge.  When pulled back it completely vacates the gorge and sits under the San Juan mountains on the left.  This pulls in this direction so that I can get under the town of Antonito on the right to get to wiring for switch machines or lights.

The third section pushes under the Sangria De Cristo range and Antonito on the right.  This section moves in this direction so I can duck under the San Juan mountains to get into the gorge on the left.

The last section is also stationary and is supports the Colorado Pacifics tall wooden trestle and the Rocky Mountain Centrals steel arched bridge as they cross the gorge.  The river goes to floor level here.

This last shot is a closer look at the back two bridges as the Colorado Pacific heads for Durango and the Rocky Mountain Central steams for Sulphur Springs.

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