Grizzly Flats

One of my prior model railroad projects was a NMRA module intended for use with North Georgia Modurail Club, a local model railroad group that I currently am a member of. Modular model railroading allows you the opportunity to build and own a small part of a larger layout, called a module. When combined with other member's modules you help create a much larger, complete model railroad, limited only by the space to contain it! Being a younger lad who has limited space for the hobby, modular model railroading was, and still is, very attractive. (It one of the reasons my own W&A is planned as a modular style layout.)

Members are encouraged to build sectional parts of a layout, known as modules, according to the club standards, these often are straight sections, usually between 4 and 8 feet long. At train shows, meets, and other events, we assemble these modules into a single layout. My personal module is a 2 by 4 foot square, with two mainline tracks. I decided to stick with my 19th century theme, so as to incorporate the module into a future layout, and started planning.

Thus, the town of Grizzly Flats Georgia was born. Named and inspired by the Grizzly Flats Railroad of Disney Animator, Ward Kimball. The story of the Grizzly Flats Railroad began in 1938, in the backyard of the Kimball’s San Gabriel, California orange grove. Ward, an animator for the Walt Disney Studios and part-time railroad hobbyist, decided to purchase several pieces of soon to be retired 3 foot guage railroad equipment, including a nice, vintage Mogul-type steam locomotive, numbered 2 and once named Sidney Dillon, which had operated in the Nevada desert since 1881. The rest is history.

Inspired by the history of the real GFRR, My W&A version was built over the course of a year, and includes several kit-bashed buildings, as well as plenty of small details. I'm a big believer in not wasting one inch of space on a layout, and the module is no exception. All of the structures where kitbashed or scratch built. Some are DPM kit fronts with cardstock sides and roofs, while others, such as the Kimball House are built from bass and balsa woods.

Somewhere in the fields of Georgia near the border with Tennessee sits the little railroad town of Grizzly Flats. Situated on the main line of the Western & Atlantic, it may be small in size but it's large in character. The town of Grizzly Flats first showed up on the map in the 1820s. No one is quite sure how it got the name. Although rumor has it that the site was first named by Walter and Roy Deznei, who first settled in the area with a coal mine

By the 1890s Grizzly Flats is a thriving little mountain town. Situated on a crossroads between the north to south Western & Atlantic railroad, and the east to west Stagecoach line.

Started and run by Mr. & Mrs. Kimball, the Kimball house is the heart of the town of Grizzly Flats, where the local folk come to play checkers, cards, and chat. One of the better places in town to get a room, guests must share bathing facilities and meals are scheduled so that guests and townsfolk eat together with the family at a large dining-room table. Mrs. Kimball cooks sumptuous meals on a wood-burning stove, and her specialty is hot chicken n' dumplings. Situated directly across from the depot, it's a short walk for travelers interested in a warm meal and a comfortable bed. It's also the local stage depot for those making a connection with a stagecoach. When market day comes, the Kimball House hosts several auctions for local produce in the backrooms.

The local constable finds his work cut out with a fellow who has had just a little too much.

 The Kimballs have a young daughter who is just starting to come of age. She has become as much a reason to visit the Kimball as the food. In fact, some would say she is rather boy crazy, and despite her mother's wishes can often be found entertaining young railroad men and stage travelers. 

The Kimball House was built from a wood kit. It's one of the few wood structures on the module, and is the centerpiece of the model. 

The center of the town is undoubtedly the little depot. This little whistle stop always seems to be busy. Even if a train is not due to stop for a day or two. Mr. Kimball, the agent, is always up to date on news coming in by telegraph, and enjoys the company. Entertaining visitors with his blend of humor and a game of chess or cards between his work. His bespectacled face can usually be seen in the operator's bay window upon the rival of trains. The depot has one room, with a railing separating the office from the tiny waiting section. A stove keeps the place warm in the chill of winter while the big windows and high roof encourage the cool breeze of summer.

Whenever a train stops in town, it's a cause for gathering. Passenger trains bring the town out, with baggage, freight, and mail crowding the little platform. Grizzly Flats is the biggest town in this neck of the woods and the only depot that the passenger train is scheduled to stop, so the platform is often full of local freight, mail, and express. The water tank is the last one before reaching Tweed Hill, so freight trains will often stop here to replenish their tanks. Having a telegraphy set, the depot will also issue train orders.

Sheriff Lom Trevors is a frequent visitor to the depot. He can be found on the platform upon the arrival of each passenger train, just to greet and check out those who are newly arriving into his town. 

The depot is a model of the original Grizzly Flats depot. The depot building was given to Ward by his boss, Walt Disney, and was originally used as a set piece for the 1949 Disney film So Dear to My Heart. Sadly, it was recently lost in the forest fires that have crippled California in the last year. My model started out life as a Walthers "Victoria Station", which is based on the Lehigh Valley Railroad's "Pottsville branch" depot. 

Moe about the original depot can be found here: History of the Grizzly Flats Depot 

My model was detailed with several handmade signs, and a new roof to match closer to Ward's depot. The shingles where made from manila envelopes, and glued strip by strip to cardstock panels that where cut to the size of each roof panel. The plastic shingles where sanded off, and the panels with the new shingles glued in place. Mullens and eves where added and the whole lot was painted.

 A cast metal train order signal completed the model. The platform was built from strip wood and matchsticks, and painted. I use a trick called "Scratch back" to do weathering on wood platforms and sidewalks, where I paint the surface with a dark color, then run fine sandpaper along the wood in the direction of the grain. The result is an appearance of lots of ware a tare on a wood surface. Like a lot of weathering tricks, there is no right or wrong way to do it. You just keep at it until you are satisfied. The platform is filled with figures from Presser KG and lots of little details such as mail-sacks, milk-jugs, and other LcL freight.

The town water-tank is built entirely from matchsticks, with a spout reused from a broken Walther's wooden watertank. The tank itself is built by gluing matchsticks around the circumference of an old testers spray-paint can lid. The spout can be lowered and raised and is counterweighted.

The streets of Grizzly Flats are rather busy. With the local stage having just arrived while a freight wagon moves towards the railroad crossing that splits the town. Likewise, just behind the depot, Ol. Doc Papper Jr. the local moonshiner and medicine man, has brought his wagon into town and is proceeding to peddle his wares to the locals.

Doc Pappy Jr. is a homage to a character created by one of my close friends for a theatrical skit. This Tennessee moonshiner is always quick with a joke and has just what you need for whatever ailment that cripples you. It's said his whisky runs the gauntlet from apple-cider to battery acid. When he's not attempting to blind the local populace, his medicinal offers have been known to cure everything from food poisoning to impotence. Usually by causing the other.

Needless to say, there is never a dull moment when Doc Pappy Jr. in in town.

Next to the Kimball House stands the 101st Dalmatian. A local public house that is popular among travelers. Usually folks come to the pub for some liquid courage before setting out in the local stage, or preparing for a long train journey to either end of the line. Grizzly Flats, it seems, is almost equidistant from both ends of the W&A RR at Atlanta and Chattanooga. For those staying overnight who want something a little cheaper the the Kimball next door. (and easier to obtain some...horizontal comfort) the 101st has some rooms upstairs where for a few pennies on the hour one can find a soft bed or a warm pillow.

Across the street and over the railroad crossing sits Mr. W. Talbot's bookstore. Where one can find tombs and scrolls of all description. Mr. Talbot is a studious little fellow, who always seems to have his nose in a good book and has been known to daydream. Where he puts himself in the place of the main character of whatever story he is engaged in.

Across the corner from Talbot's is the town bank. The center of finance in Grizzle Flats is hasn't been robbed in over a week! Truly the safest of safekeepings.

Nearby also is the Grizzly Flats Gazette. The local newspaper.

Grizzly Flats regularly appears at local train-shows in the Atlanta Area. It's been a common feature of the North Georgia Modular Rail set ups, and hopefully will continue to entertain for years to come. Eventually, it will find it's place as a part of the bigger W&A RR Empire.