Dolly Varden Mines Railway, On30

Dolly Varden is an On30 model railway exhibition layout, built by Dan Pickard & John Hunter...a couple of Australian modellers. Based on the prototype Dolly Varden mining operation in British Columbia around 1920.

[@ManuManu-us5mh]

Un bien joli réseau avec la musique qui va bien. Superbe !

[@reitoe]

A very nice layout and great songs.

[@Bugdood56]

Dan and John, you Aussies are light years ahead of the rest of us in MRRing. Beautiful video and craftsmanship ... inspiring as always. Thank you. Regards to Laurie.

[@markarrivi3818]

You Are My Hero Mr Pickard

[@ClinchValleySD40]

Beautiful layout and great job on the video

[@WimBroerse]

You have done a great job. I only can give you 5 stars, but if I could, I would have given 10!

[@apmcambrai]

Bravo,super.Merci pour la vidéo.

[@dans_stuff]

Thankyou for the feedback. I few technical points... just over 28' long, just under 2' deep; 5 modules (or 6 if you include the water front extension; runs on automatic with 3 independent reversing circuits; setup time about 90 min, pack down in 30 min; a little over 2 years construction time; built by 2 modellers, living about 200 miles apart... Cheers, Dan

[@dans_stuff]

Thanks Vic, The ore cars are scratchbuilt. I used a modified cast resin underframe (from my own master/mould for a 20' flatcar), with basswood timber sides. Trucks are from Boulder Valley. Dan

[@FartyMcloadJr]

Interesting note, There's a very good book on this mine and others in the area .Steel Rails And Silver Dreams, by Darrel Murault. Enjoy !

[@mntnvision]

I just visited Darryl Muralt in Victoria, so he could sign my book, and we watched this on his computer, he really enjoyed it! here is a photo:

[@markcarey8426]

Great railway, great music. Many Thanks.

[@dans_stuff]

Further update as well, our Dolly Varden was sold recently, crated up, packed into a 20' container, and shipped across to Florida. It is now part of a railroad modelling display being run by Dave Revelia. It is on display with the Sundance Central Fn3 layout, the Silverton Central Sn3 layout, and a heap of diorama's. Dan

[@muss1951]

I also make my own trees, but I like real big but to scale trees, on my layout my biggest tree is 70'' tall or around 150 feet. I use carved dolls with asparagus fern branches I get from Hobby Lobby. I seen you had so many wasn't sure where you got them all. You have a lot of time in trees . Your scenery and layout is awesome for sure, thx

[@djmpvae27091978]

Big railroad trestles.

[@markframe4047]

When I win the lottery tonight I'm gonna have you build me one of these layout

[@WhyAyeMann]

love the music!

[@MrThathurt1]

Gotta love that music :D

[@jdubbjazzbass]

wow!!!!

[@vicdohar]

WOW! Impressive! Hats off to both of you for such a fine piece of art. I've had that book for several years along with some On30 cars hoping for one day to have a layout like yours. Great inspiration. One question: Are the large gons scratchbuilt or a kit? Vic

[@alecsapounas7497]

Beautiful layout. I would love to build something just like this, would you happen to have a diagram of the layout you could send me. Alec

[@ocalicreek]

Outstanding! Is there a website to learn more about this layout?

[@muss1951]

super nice, hey did you make all of your trees or are the factory made

[@dans_stuff]

ub railroad al anza - all the trees are handmade, mostly using twisted wire and rope pines. A few of the bigger feature trees are carved balsa trunks with dried status flower heads used for tree limbs. All the ground foam on the trees is handmade as well as there was too much expense in using commercial product in this volume.

[@infinus5]

are there any ways that you have found to build proper easy underground ore cars ? ive been building a model of a small local mine and i need mine carts around 1inch in height an 1 and a quarter in width.

[@rhbeadlejr]

Super. Great music too. How big is it?

[@WhyAyeMann]

where did you get that version of whistin rufus?

[@markcarey8426]

What's the music? I'm guessing a couple of ukuleles. That last piece is terrific.

[@markcarey8426]

The one at the end FYI is "Whistling Rufus". 1899. Ragtime.

[@markcarey8426]

THANKS.

[@hartmutlorentzen9659]

Nice layout, but there is no sound of the locos.

[@littleevan99]

Is it US or AU style?