Chili Line Features:

As a member of the Chili Line Forum I thought that it might be fun to come up with a list of suggested features for model railroads of the Chili Line, what if chile lines, or any railroad in northern New Mexico. With some help from members of the forum I came up with the following. Note that it does not include RR structures, facilities, motive power or rolling stock. While my layout does not have all the suggested features and it is highly unlikely that it will, I do intend to add some as time goes on. I have noted on my list those that I have and those that I'm working on and those that I have plans for.

1. Adobe structures - have a few

2. Dilapidated adobe structures - have one

3. Dilapidated adobe with tree growing in it - have one

4. Rutted dirt or gravel roads - yes, also have rutted paved roads (not all that prototypical) 

5. Ristras (hanging chile peppers) - not yet, have to figure out how

6. Acequias (community ditches) - not planning on adding

7. Descansos (death memorials or single grave markers) - have one

8. Camposanto (cemetery) - Not likely

9. Horno (an adobe built outdoor oven) - at some point

10. Cattle and/or sheep pen with or without ramp - have

11. Trading post or Pueblo Indian sales stand - have trading post

12. Cantina - have

13. Community market or general store - have

14. CONOCO gas station - have two

15. Capilla (traditional New Mexico Chapel) - not likely

16.  Indigenous Flora

    • Sage brush - have

    • Junipers - kinda have

    • Pinion Pine - kinda have

    • Ponderosa Pine (infrequent) - have

    • Cottonwood (along the river and in bosques) - kinda have

    • Bebb and sandbar willow – in bosques - not likely

    • Chamisa - kinda have

    • Yucca - have

17. Jemez or Sangre De Cristo Mountains - have painted backdrop of Jemez mountains

18. Rio Grande, Rio Chama, Rio Ojo Caliente - don't think so

19. Arroyo - have a functional one outside

20. Arroyo with old rusty vehicles - at some point

21. Arroyo with trash - at some point

22. Pit for burning trash - have

23. Rock or stucco shrines housing saints (little ones for homes, larger ones for communities) - not likely

24. A Hacienda - not likely

25. A one-room schoolhouse - who knows

26. Fauna

    • Sheep - not yet

    • Burros - have

    • Horses - have

    • Cattle - have

    • Elk - have

    • Deer - have

27. Territorial style buildings with corrugated roofs - have, need more

28. A yard with several old cars embedded in the weeds - not yet, maybe not

29. A very large pile of firewood  - have

30. A pickup truck with the bed full of firewood - have

31. Sacks of Piñon nuts/seed or a wagon full of Piñon nuts - maybe someday

32. A fence with railroad ties for posts - have