PHOTOS BY THE AUTHOR Building the
Timberline Miner’s Union Hotel Accommodations for a remote mining region/Tom Troughton
S
oon after finishing construction on a large lead and zinc mine complex for my Sn3 layout, I re- alized there would be a need for a place for the miners to sleep and eat. Cimarron Mine is in a remote location, and miners are transported late on Sunday in coaches from the valley be- low by the railroad and are returned on Friday evening. During their work week they sleep and eat at the mining site. The mine is a busy place, moving at least twelve high side gondolas of lead and zinc ore each day. The rail- road operates a daily train, usually with two K-37 locomotives, pulling and pushing the cars on a four percent grade to the mine.
The Miners’ Union Hotel is a large structure for such a remote mining op- eration, so besides the room and board operation for the miners, there is a sec- ond floor suite that serves as the living quarters and office for the mine’s chief engineer and his family. It is a two-sto- 66
ry structure comprised of three building units. The miners’ sleeping rooms are on the second floor of both ends, as well as
on one of the lower floor’s wings. Each of the sleeping rooms contains a minimum of two bunk beds for the miners.
The hotel (top) is located next to the mines. The weekly passenger train practically comes up to its front door. To create the front steps (above), pieces of stripwood were put to- gether for the basic shape. This shape was covered with Squadron Putty, and, when dry, stones were carved into it. Acrylic paints and black shoe dye were used to color them.
FEBRUARY 2012
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