Thank You for your kind comments! The RVRY has grown a bit in trackage additions since I was there..... but I am certain the RVRY nostalgia and magical enchantment has not changed! If you can, plan on spending a couple of days there taking it all in, and also meeting the wonderful folks who work on the RV!

Dillon, thank you for the comment, I hope you enjoyed the video! I filmed it using a Hi-8 VHS camcorder, so the resolution is not as good as videos these days. That was my last visit to the RVRY..... 24 years gone by(!), the years fly by way too quickly?! -- The RVRY s still there and still steaming!! There are other more recent videos found on YTube. ;-)

Hi Michael, thank you for your interest. -- I posted two Videos about the Tiny Town Railway, one was a 1991-era slide-show, and the other was a Video I shot & edited in 1997 on VHS Tape..... both of these were re-captured and re-edited to the Digital MP4 format in Jan 2024 and then posted to YT on my Channel, which you are obviously are aware of..... I hope you enjoy exploring my other YT channel Playlists, and enjoy the Descriptions. -- To ANSWER your Question: YES, the Tiny Town RAILWAY & Miniature Village Park DOES STILL EXIST!! It has NOT been broken up for SCRAP ! ! ! The original "Genuine" Live-Steam locomotives have mostly been worn-out and not restored, so they make limited use of "Steam" Locos, in favor of using I/C "Faux-Steam" Locomotives and such. -- Tiny Town has been enjoying a great popularity since the Park's rescue & restoration in the early 1990's, and is a unique & fun place to visit. It is located @ 25 miles SW of Denver CO, a few miles up "South Turkey Creek Canyon". There are several Videos about the Tiny Town RR on YT..... (My Videos are the best Live-Steam videos I have seen of T-Town!). And, Tiny Town does manage it's own Website you may enjoy with a simple Net "Search". Cheers!! --Ken S.

yes it is still there and operating in summer. I built a replica of our clubhouse for the property and place it in 2018. fabulous place.

Hello Shay, -- It is good to know that someone else has knowledge about this little B&FY RR Loco! In my memories Robert W. Richardson (aka "Bob", "RWR", and "Uncle Robert" to his many friends) always referred to that Loco as a "Cagney", but my memories are not as clear as they were 60+ years ago!! So, the Lokey was truly an Armitage Herschell..... amazing!! Robert and I shared a common interest in miniature Steam Railways, and kindly described the B&FY RR & steam activities, and showed me his few photos...... which he kindly gave to me to add to my own "Collection". He knew the Lokey still belonged to some friends in Ohio. Here is a rather "long-winded" reply to your comment & inquiry. Perhaps some research in the "International Brotherhood of Live-Steamers" (IBLS-wiki) website will yield more info about the Lokey or Silver Lake Park in Akron.....?? -- RWR was raised in Masillon Ohio, and from an early age was "smitten" by steam railroading and trolleys. He was especially fond of Narrow-Gauge steam trains. I do not know much more about the B&FY except as I have described it in my Video Slide Show. Bob as a youth is shown in the 1st Photo, and shown again later as one of the B&FY Co-Owners, standing on the right in the B&FY group photo. Bob was always a very active RR Photographer & Railfan, and was famous for his Photos and for "Chasing Trains"! -- After a stint & world-tour courtesy of the US Army..... In the late 1940's , Bob moved to Alamosa, Colorado, where he personally SAVED NG Locos, Cars, and Historical Artifacts & Records from the D&RGW & RGS narrow-gauge lines as they were being abandoned, and founded a RR Museum there. -- Later, in 1958, along with lots of help from friends, he moved his "NG Museum" to Golden, Colorado, and was the Founder & Curator of the world famous "Colorado RR Museum". I first met Bob in 1962 when I beacame a "Volunteer" as well as an "Employee" at the CRRM. Some of the NG Equipment was restored to operating condition and was regularly "Steamed & Run" over a short stretch of NG track. My own tenure at the CRRM lasted until 1974-75, and I am quite privileged & proud to say "Unkle Bob" became one of my closest friends!! I went on to become a "Full-Size" Locomotive Engineer on the D&RGW, and later on Amtrak, out of Denver (mostly). However I always maintained a close friendship & remained in contact with Bob. And, my own interests and activities in ALL SCALES of "Live-Steam" Locos continued to grow, and remains my addiction or an enjoyable strong obsession!! -- RWR was world-renowned & respected for his RR Photography, his Restoration & Preservation Activities, and for his Chasing Trains, as well as his authoring several Articles & Books, etc. Truly, VOLUMES could be written about "RWR" and his deep dedication to Railroad Preservation and History in the USA!! -- Shay, I have no way of knowing how much you are already aware of..... about RWR and/or the CRRM..... but I have a hunch you may really enjoy looking up those Topics and seeing and reading about them "Online"! And you can obviously see what my Interests are by viewing the Videos and their Descriptions on my KZbin channel. If you ever have any more comments or questions, PLEASE do not hesitate to contact me! BEST OF STEAMY REGARDS! --Ken Scheer

Thank you so much for this wonderful reply. I wish I could have got to meet this "uncle Robert". He seems like a very interesting fellow. I'd love to be able to share with you some of the pictures I have of the locomitive before and after restoration. Not to toot my own whistle or anything but it's really becoming something special.

Thank you Shay, for the kind words! -- I wouild love to see photos of your restoration project! Are you expereinced with "Live Steam" and do you have Machine Shop and Toolcraft Talents?? -- You can try contacting me at this email address: [email protected] Cheers...... Ken @@shayarnold1704

Shay, my apologies! My contact Email given you should have been: [email protected] -- Please try to contact me there..... ;-)

My pleasure

Thank You!

Thank you! Cheers!

THANK YOU for your kind comments! Oh yes, my 0-6-0T #5 is a sweet steamer, a keeper! Modifying or altering the Roundhouse-Engr'g Chassis & Boiler Kit Modules, without upsetting the basic Module mechanical design, are great ways to "Freelance" design & build your own Lokey with every assurance it will run well. My # 5 utilizes slightly modified R-Hs "Lady Anne" Boiler & Chassis Kit Modules, along with my own Body & Cab construction, and I am more than a little pleased with the outcome! I have all the Parts for another Lokey using the same "L-A" Kit Modules awaiting a build, it will likely be a 2-6-0 or 2-6-2 either with or without a Tender (I haven't yet decided which.....). :-)

@@ken.mp372 Tyats awesome! Have fun and thanks for sharing 😊🚂

Hi Dave, The Redwood Valley Ry is located in the hills just east of Berkeley CA, in Tilden Park. Steinbeck's Cannery Row was in Monterey CA, on the coast about 80 miles from Tilden Park(?). Do a Search for the Redwood Valley Railway website or a "link".

As noted in the descriptions of the Playlist and of each Playlist Video clip..... this was not a "diesel", it was a "gasoline" 24 hp motor driving a heavy-duty hydraulic drive, then roller-chains to each axle. The Loco was sold to Ed Dickens Jr in 2001, and was used on his Rio Golden Ry in Golden CO until 2015 when the RGR was shut down and dismantled. The RGR equipment is believed to be in storage at the "Comanche Crossing & Eastern Ry" in Strasburg Co, about 35 miles east of Denver.

Hi Normand, To answer your question about the RVRY grades..... The RVRY "Mainline" is essentially flat, having a gentle grade of less than 1% for a few yards. Since the early 2000's, the RVRY crews have added a new Car Shed (#3) at "Yuke" Siding, along with a private spur connection to the hilltop Shop area above "Yuke" which likely has 2%+ grades, as does the original Shop Spur from "Army Camp" to the hilltop Shop. Part of the old original "Back Tracks" to Car Shed #1 at "Miller Jct" has a grade of @ 3%. All of the RVRY Locomotives are equipped with Air Brakes.

Hi Carolyn, -- The 2002 RVRY Spring Meet was also the "50th Anniversary Celebration"..... it was a most memorable meet! That was nearly 24 years ago!..... Oh My! Where has the time flown? -- However, I regret to tell you that I did not shoot any Video Recordings of that Meet. That trip, I only took Photo Images with my 35mm SLR Camera. So I do not have any Videos to upload. -- I did create a personal "Album" of the Photos from that RVRY 50th Anniversary Celebration, which I often like to look through. There are @ 56 Photo Images..... and it would be a great ordeal for me to Scan those Photos to create even a simple PDF..... much less to create a digitized "Slide Show" to upload on KZbin..... so, I am not very keen on delving into either of those kinds of of projects. -- Best Wishes for a MERRY CHRISTMAS, and A HEALTHY & PEACEFUL NEW YEAR!! -- Ken S.

Thank you for your kind interest, TB!!

Both brands usually steam & run smoothly. Accucraft models are usually more highly detailed, and most Roundhouse models are not too highly detailed. Accucraft produces more selections of models, especially in the U.S. Style. Roundhouse has fewer models in the U.S. Style. Accucraft does not supply much in the way of Repair or Servicing Parts, where Roundhouse has a complete range of Repair & Servicing Parts, as well as a selection of Fully Machined, Unpainted, Locomotive Kit Modules, to suit the whims of the "Freelance" DIY Locomotive Builder. Chassis, Boiler, and Body Kit Modules are available individually. I have found Roundhouse Locomotives to be very robust and more durable machines compared to Accucraft. Search out the Online Catalogs for both brands, and patiently view a lot of YT Videos before making any hard decisions. ;-)

@@ken.mp372 thank you for that.

Greetings from a fellow "Steamer"! Yes, I have long known about the WF&P, since the 1960's. It always seemed to be a fun little line, and a great steam & train handling teaching tool! I regret to say I have not followed the WF&P happenings for awhile, I will be glad to take the time to do some new research. I have never been to St. Looey, and expect I will never have a chance to head that-away..... too many Items on the 'ol Bucket List!! HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS & A PEACEFUL AND "STEAMY" NEW YEAR!!

Thank you for your comment. I do not know if anything of this railway still exists..... my photos & info date from 1988..... and since then the Big Thompson River had a huge flood in the foothills which spread out into the plains and devastated a lot of property along its banks. I suspect this little railway may have been washed-out and was never rebuilt. It was located on Swet's Farm, you might try google searching for Swet's Farm in Timnath CO, they may still exist(?).

Hello again Nathan. I found the disposition and current location of Alex's 2-6-2. It was co-built by Alex Schneider and Roger Mitchell, and currently is operational at: The Historic John Blue House, in Laurinburg, NC. Here is the source for detailed info: www.steamlocomotiveinfo/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=293

From what I have heard the steam locomotive has not run in a long time now. The train and gas powered Mason bogie were recently rebuilt after a 5 year hiatus.

Yes, that would have been the RVRY 48th Anniversary. It was a great experience to attend that "Spring Meet & Barbeque"! I only shot Video that trip, so I did not have a decent photo to use for the Thumbnail, so the Roundhouse scene in the Thumbnail dates from the 1994 "Annual Spring Meet".....

Hello again Nathan. In my previous reply I forgot to mention that I wrote a detailed description of my wonderful affiliation with my good friend Erich Thomsen and his magnificent RVRY. I assume that you have read this description, but if not, then please do so. It will likely answer many of your questions. Thank you for your interest!

honestly i think roundhouse should focus more on basic series locos. They sell much more than the classic series but they seem to have been pretty much neglected in recent years. Now you can only buy 2 or 3 based on what you consider different locomotives

THANK YOU for your kind reply! This Loco was designed by myself in 1997, but didn't get built until 2017-2018. I do like the durability and robustness of Roundhouse products..... especially with the Walschaerts gear, and I do prefer Counter-Balanced cranks on any outside-framed Loco. I too have always wished R-Hs offered a simple U.S. style Loco like my 0-6-0 #5. With some patience & talent and the proper tools, it is a fine experience to build a "Freelanced" design using the R-Hs Kit Modules. I have all the parts to build a Loco very similar to my #5, except it will be a 2-6-0 or 2-6-2 (with or without a Tender.... I haven't yet decided.....). I hope to start the build in 2024..... 🙂 Keep Steamin' !!

Hi Steven-- Thank you for your kind comments & interest! I have two "R-house" Lokeys, #5 is my own design, and a "Katie" (my #1) built in 1999. Ran Katie with a few simple mods for over 20 years, then "Americanized" her about a year ago, she now bears scant resemblance to the original, and I really like her better! Roundhouse makes very fine Lokeys & has lots of parts to "Bash" with. I'm not too fond of Accucraft Locos & lack of parts supply. I own 3 A-Craft, an old "Ruby" is worn-out & dismantled, a 2-4-4T is also worn-out, and scheduled for a chassis replacement using a R-House 0-4-0 "Sammie" Chassis, my 2-6-0 is still running well. -- Yeah, I used modified L. Anne Chassis & Boiler Kit Modules on #5, and some Trackside Details detail castings, many of the details are "scratched-up".....all of the bodywork is mine. I raised the boiler 1/4" higher off the frame to look more American. #5 and my #1 are my favorites! Also have a design and all R--House parts on hand to build either a 2-6-0 or a 2-6-2, likely a side-tank lokey, similar to #5..... I need to make a start on that project soon. -- You can tell I am a bit long-winded when I get yakking about steam Lokeys & stuff. You might be able to access my E-mail address from the "About" portion of my YT Channel..... it would be fun to swap some tales! CHEERS! Ken S. --

Hi again, Steven! To E-mail me, you might try this: [email protected]

@@ken.mp372Do you post yout projects on mylargescale or similar webform? I appreciate the detail but it's easy to loose valuable information like this on youtube comment. I used to own Accucraft engines I ended up selling them. I do miss the 4-4-0 American I owned though. I had the Forney and Nevada Baldwin Mogul too. I'm not crazy about piston valve reverse engines. I have a Ian Pearse Colorado that uses a piston valve reverse. Outside admission always runs worse than inside, same thing with the Accucraft engines using a piston valve reverse. I guess you could get a Ruby kit to fix your Forney eccentrics since it's the same loco. I am sure the boiler could be mounted to a basic series 0-4-0 frame the steam line would need to be modified as the Accucraft boiler uses metric compression nut and Roundhouse uses Imperial compression nut and bolts. You can see some of my Roundhouse engines I worked on, on my channel. I also post regularly at Mylargescale and the Mamod Unofficial Form..

Hello again Steven..... I thought I would catch up with you. Although I have been "Steaming" in the smaller scales since the late 1990's, and am not a "Noobie" (Ha!), I never paid much attention to MyLargeScale until recently..... -- I find it very interesting to read through the various Topics and Discussion Comments posted by other "Experienced" Live-Steamers..... so I joined a month ago!! I have only posted a couple of items on MLS so far. I do not have much to "Post", and will likely make only a few Comments in the Discussions as time goes by. I did notice Steven, that you welcomed me when I joined MLS..... THANK YOU !! I have noticed your name & comments in several MLS discussion topics. -- Over the past few years, I have also written a few "Articles" in collaboration with Daris Nevil (IBLS Secretary) and he has published them on the IBLS-wiki website (try a google search for "Ken Scheer IBLS")..... although geared toward "Riding Scale" steam interests, I think you might also find it an interesting resource of Live-Steam technical topics, clubs, people, and histories! Stay Well & Steamy !! "Vaporo In Fraternitate!" ;-) -- Ken S.

@@ken.mp372You're welcome Ken. KZbin is great but for in depth discussions on hobbies nothing beats a traditional UBB message board and Mylargescale has been around for decades and is very good. I wish it were more active.That's impressive you wrote some articles I'll have to search IBLS, thanks a lot.

Thank you for your comment! As an old-timer, my amateur attempts as a Videographer are pretty shaky..... my apologies!