Our trip to Alaska featured driving from Anchorage to Valdez. The route took us through Copper Center – a ten building town site with a series of “Burma Shave” style signs along the roadway adjacent to a rustic wooden building inviting a visit to see the model railroad at the Copper Rail Depot. Ann and I responded, parked the car, and walked into an all-wood, single story room with plenty of history on the walls, a 15 foot long rustic bar – all under suspended overhead #1 guage trains. Of imediate note was two LGB moguls heading a passenger train parked facing the bar held by a suspended plank roadbed. The varied collectables on the walls was a backdrop for other rail lines running the width of the bar’s building and exiting openings to the outside.
The only person in the room was Ron – he was cooking dinner on the outside bar-b-q and indicated come on in with the understanding he was going to finish cooking. Fine, we sat at the bar, ordered a glass of wine. Nothing was running, yet, there was much to see above us. I made reference to the brand of locos and asked his preference for equipment. His beard is heavier than his face photo on his website and I didn’t put together that he is a contibutor to LS Central and MyLS . No matter. In short order, he recognized me as a LSC and MyLS contributor. That connection opened the door to conversation about the impact or non-impact the trains have given him to attract customers. Ron is sharp and politically savy. Politically, both Ann and I enjoyed sharing similar observations with Ron. The train topics did lead him to enthusiastically showing us the outside of the building and the immense elevated track (see his website for the track plan and photos of his highly skilled diaorama construction) that runs the length of the property.
Other impresssions from those of you who have visited Alaska and Ron’s copper Rail Depot?
Train data:
Battery controlled – see, if you move further north on the continent you go battery e.g. Dave Goodson.
Track: 1000 feet? I didn’t ask and would not be surprised! All elevated with observation walkways and enclosed buildings with intricate modeling of varied aspects of Alaska’s rail towns. Superb modeling of historic buildings is Ron’s strong feature.
Rolling stock: There are modeled “dismals” and passenger trains from USA. A great variety of rolling stock is shown.
For visuals: Try his website at copperraildepot.com
Ron Simpson is the owner of this unique bar and motel. His story and photos of the layout, plus his offered motel accomodations, are on http://copperraildepot.com
Wendell
The tunnels to Whittier were widended back in the 90’s I think it was for vehicle traffic along with the train tracks. The Army pulled out of there I think it was back in the 60’s or 70’s. Good memories to say the least.
