Model Railroad Display in Denver
Donation protected
The Platte Valley & Western HO Scale Model Railroad started in 1983 in Denver's Union Station in a small basement room formerly used as the station's jail. The goal, create a model railroad display depicting Railroading in the Rocky Mountains during the 1950s.
Over the 30+ years the display was in the basement, visitors from around the world made the PV&W's display one of their "must see" items on their visits to Denver. The group operating the display made an effort to be available to the public and be a family friendly attraction. Those efforts resulted in thousands of visitors who enjoyed the splendors of the craftsmanship of the display as well as the friendly interactions with the members of the club that operated the display. On many nights, selected visitors even had the opportunity to run a train or take a visit "behind the scenes" to see how the display worked.
The PV&W held it's final open house at Union Station in the spring of 2012. "See you in 2014" was the reminder given to visitors that day. The fall of 2012 saw the PV&W being protected during the station renovation project with the expectation of returning in early 2014 to uncover and restore the display to it's prior beauty..
Unfortunately, during the early months of 2013, health and safety issues were discovered and it was determined that the PV&W would not be able to remain at Union Station. The members were only able to save about 10% of that original display due to the short window of time available to remove the display.
This project will help fund the costs associated with building a new HO Scale Model Railroad display in the Metro Denver Area featuring Railroading in the Rockies. Our goal is to have some form of display up & running by the fall of 2015, even if it is just some plywood bench-work and a mainline track with illustrations of the final design. The full display may take several additional years to complete. We will be attempting to allow public access (as is reasonably possible) during all phases of the project.
This project is community supported utilizing volunteers from the community in every aspect - from the initial design to the construction thru the operation of the display once it's completed.
The Platte Valley & Western Railway is a Not for Profit Organization registered in the State of Colorado and has received it's Federal 501(c)3 status from the IRS (EIN #46-2687730).
We're always happy to answer questions and have a full project plan available for those who are interested. Please see our Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/PVWRR), website (www.PVWRR.org) or send us an email ([email redacted]).
Over the 30+ years the display was in the basement, visitors from around the world made the PV&W's display one of their "must see" items on their visits to Denver. The group operating the display made an effort to be available to the public and be a family friendly attraction. Those efforts resulted in thousands of visitors who enjoyed the splendors of the craftsmanship of the display as well as the friendly interactions with the members of the club that operated the display. On many nights, selected visitors even had the opportunity to run a train or take a visit "behind the scenes" to see how the display worked.
The PV&W held it's final open house at Union Station in the spring of 2012. "See you in 2014" was the reminder given to visitors that day. The fall of 2012 saw the PV&W being protected during the station renovation project with the expectation of returning in early 2014 to uncover and restore the display to it's prior beauty..
Unfortunately, during the early months of 2013, health and safety issues were discovered and it was determined that the PV&W would not be able to remain at Union Station. The members were only able to save about 10% of that original display due to the short window of time available to remove the display.
This project will help fund the costs associated with building a new HO Scale Model Railroad display in the Metro Denver Area featuring Railroading in the Rockies. Our goal is to have some form of display up & running by the fall of 2015, even if it is just some plywood bench-work and a mainline track with illustrations of the final design. The full display may take several additional years to complete. We will be attempting to allow public access (as is reasonably possible) during all phases of the project.
This project is community supported utilizing volunteers from the community in every aspect - from the initial design to the construction thru the operation of the display once it's completed.
The Platte Valley & Western Railway is a Not for Profit Organization registered in the State of Colorado and has received it's Federal 501(c)3 status from the IRS (EIN #46-2687730).
We're always happy to answer questions and have a full project plan available for those who are interested. Please see our Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/PVWRR), website (www.PVWRR.org) or send us an email ([email redacted]).
Organizer
Chris Rand
Organizer
Golden, CO
