Does anyone have a photo or any info on the 18" gauge, 1/2 size (6" scale), 0-4-0 Porter that ran up at the Argo Tunnel and Mine in Idaho Springs in about 1994 to about 1999 or thereabouts?

Darrell ran the Argo tours back then and was the main guy that guided you on the tour through the mine. I was told that Darrell Chauncey owned it. The Porter had a Chevy straight 6 engine inside its boiler shell, but the cylinders, divers, rods etc.. were all great parts and all it needed was a real boiler and piping to be a true steamer.

Did any of you see this small layout? It was a neat little setup!

While not really rail preservation, high quality miniature railroads such as the Argo Gold Mine train can inspire a younger generation to become hard-core enthusiasts. Take your kids and your neighbor's kids over to a train ride and enjoy! I know the 18" gauge steam locomotive from Anacortes is now located at a steam powerhouse museum in Seattle, so there is an example of a miniature locomotive used in interpretation. Another is the CSRM which prominently features a 19" Pacific in its lobby.

Here is a link to the the Argo train with a bit of its story, as of several years ago.
http://members.allstream.net/~mjmc_ctc/interchange.html#argo


I suggest others interested in 18" gauge railroads and similar join the yahoo group called 18inch
Best regards,
O Anderson

April 5th the sisters to the CSRM Overfair Pacific engine in the lobby will be running at the Swanton Pacific Railroad. see sprr.calpoly.edu/index.html for details