Donald R. Griffin started his model railroading career in 1972, in Butte, Montana.

The layout was designed for his son *yeah right*.  A crude start, consisting of a basic sheet 4x8 of plywood, simple oval in design.

Working as a geologist, a mineral exploration engineer and civil engineer 

*both underground and surface mining*  in the western U.S.  Don saw many different types of railroads that played a large part in the overall operations.  He noted the not all operations were using the same scale of track.  Most of these were in the Colorado area.  He learned that the "Narrow gauge" railroads played a large role in the industry.  

He had built many structures from kits.  The price was getting to expensive and they didn't always fit the space available.  So, he began to design his own structures.  Many of his ideas came from the "Narrow Gauge Gazette" magazine for the model railroader.

Don realized his hobby had outgrown his home in 1986.  He soon found his new home in Idaho Springs, Co.  Opening a new door, he found many structures that supported the railroad industry in Idaho Springs.  He visited many structures, took measurements and lots of photographs.  With pen and ink he put them to mylar.  Others saw these drawings and wanted copies.

The business took off but the modeling stopped.  Traveling the state, his work involved the narrow gauge lines, mainly that of the Colorado & Southern.

The operation of the C & S started in 1860 and ended in 1940.  Such a shame, many ups and downs over the years of operation.  Other operations were the lines to Black Hawk and Central City and the line Argentine Central out of Silver Plume.

Don is affiliated with various professional organizations involving model railroading.  The groups are: 

The National Model Railroad Association

SIG Railroad Industries, Denver

South Park and Pacific Railroad Group

The Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Co.

Also, he was an original member of the HO Club at Union Station in Denver, Co.