Sunday, 13 July 2025

UTLX 46213


By Keith MacCauley

UTLX 46213 was built by Procor Oakville in March of 1974; part of a fifty car build. Somewhat noteworthy that this series of tank cars was constructed with nominal one-hundred-ton capacity (36” diameter wheels) for calcium chloride (salt) service. Due to the corrosive nature of the commodity, the interior of the tank was coated. Incredibly, after almost twenty years of service, UTLX 46213 is still wearing the original exterior coat of paint. Note the so called ‘Flying P’ decal, introduced in 1962. (‘Products Tank Line’ became ‘PROCOR’ in 1962) UTLX 46213 would be remarked PROX 46213 in May of 1994 and taken out of service in October of 2007.  

Saturday, 12 July 2025

This and That - July 2025

Crosby coal before it was moved back from the main line. I had a question recently asked if anyone knew why there was a small opening up high on both ends of the coal shed. There was some white streaking happening at this location.
A bit of a mix from what I have scanned lately and model photos I have filed away in my White River Division files...George Dutka 

NA Jct. B7A Berkshire Hills, 1963.
I visited the London Model Railroad Group's O scale layout this month. They have a nice collection of prototype stations such as this model of St. Mary's that is 3-D printed.

The O scale version of the CP London, Ont. station.

They have built two 3-D printed versions of the Goderich station. One is original while the other is how it looks today as a restaurant. That version will be donated to the restaurant as they gave the club a copy of the station plans for them to build this model. They have full interior.

A look inside shows a full interior of the restaurant version.

I showed you a few views of this Lobo, Ont. garage that was in the process of coming apart. Well I think they are saving some of it. There are three walls remaining and roof beams. The structure appear to be block with concrete covering. Note the trim paint still showing through. 

Although the outside wall hide the doors and windows that once were there the inside shows the structures history.

That's my friend Chris Martin who I passed the other day railfanning. I was on my way to the lake. I decided to stop and chat and of course we viewed VIA 84 from Sarnia to Toronto. Chris used to work for CN too in the engineering department. He is a hold out still shooting slide film with no intentions of switching to digital. 

A B&M RS-3 handles a milk train through the diamond headed to Bellows Falls. I have a good collection of milk cars now...not sure I need that many but nice to have and change out on occasion. 

Thursday, 10 July 2025

Throwback Thursday - Idling Wayfreight

by Keith MacCauley 
On a warm Thursday early evening in July, CN 4107 is shown idling at the head end of a short three car consist. Further to tying down their tiny train, most likely the crew has cabbed it to a nearby restaurant. As shown, their train is made up of an empty center beam flat car, covered hopper car and combination door boxcar. The crew has either dropped off or picked up a car or cars at one of three Rymal sidings; CO-OP, to the south, or Shaw Pipe/Penn Lumber, both located to the north. They may have retrieved the combination door boxcar (CN 557596) from either Shaw Pipe or Penn lumber. The center beam may have also come from the Penn Lumber siding. The covered hopper car is simply along for the ride; there are no local loading/unloading facilities. This would be the last time I would see any traffic on the line. Freight volume, minimal as it was, would continue to decline and the rails would be lifted in 1993. Built in September of 1957 as GP9 CN 4123, CN 4107 would be remanufactured as a GP9RM in 1984 by CN Pointe St. Charles, and retired 2019.  





Monday, 7 July 2025

Chalk Marks on O Scale Boxcar

Prototype photos I had viewed the calk marks mainly to the right of the door.
I used some of the larger sized HO scale chalk mark decals on this Atlas O scale model. They actually worked out very well...George Dutka  

Sunday, 6 July 2025

Old Structure - Lobo, Ont.

An old garage that was cladded over looks like it might be getting a face lift. The tire shop next door has been redone recently as a oil undercoat business. 
On my way to the lake I pass through Lobo, Ontario. There is an old gas or car repair structure that has been stripped down recently. I think it is being saved by the looks of things. I guess this could be a Good Bones type of build...George Dutka   

Maybe some inspiration here for us modelers.


Saturday, 5 July 2025

July 2025 - Update

The past couple of years I held a BBQ for our train group at Springbank Park first Wednesday of July. There is the Springbank express that runs by where we gather. This year there was 12 of us.
Not a lot to report. No modeling lately...mostly at the lake with no internet connection which is nice break. I might get in some travel and railfanning over the summer but nothing planned yet...George Dutka  

We got the engineer to take our photo by the train. She has been doing this summer job now for four years.
At the Palmer, Ma. library they have a railroad room with a nice collection of books and artifacts. This model under plastic cover is of the Palmer Station.

Plan on the wall of Palmer, Ma. Station.


One wall of the Railroad books collection, They have an almost complete collection of the CVRHS Ambassador.

MEC 20026 Oct 11, 2011

Thursday, 3 July 2025

B&M Flag Stop in Use

 

I switched out my flag stop the other day at Inwood. Looks like a busy stop on this day.
I took a few photos of my new BEST flag shelter on the WRD here is one I liked...enjoy...George Dutka    

Tuesday, 1 July 2025

Happy Birthday Canada!

June 20 2025
Just a few images from around London the last bit to celebrate the holiday. Have a great day today celebrating Canada Day and also a Happy 4th of July to our friends south of here as they enjoy their holiday too...George Dutka  

VIA 71 departing London WB to Windsor on June 15, 2025. The train is entering the Strathroy Sub.

CPKC crew member at the West end of the London yard June 17, 2025. They were about to depart.

I saw this CN poster on Trackside Treasures blog a couple of days ago. It views two of my favorite passions, sailing and railroad and the railroad I worked for. That was a great post to view Eric!

A B&M advertising the Summer of 1939 traveling in New England. Do you wish you could reset time...Happy 4th of July!
a B&M Facebook post.

Monday, 30 June 2025

GTW Covered Hopper


This GTW covered hopper is pretty much unrecognizable. I saw it along Pine St. here in London, Ont. on June 17, 2025 when traveling to my grandson's soccer tournament. Might be an interesting effect to model...George Dutka   




Saturday, 28 June 2025

B&M Flag Stop

 

The completed flag shelter is an entry level BEST kit.
I finished the B&M flag stop station. I added a bit of details to the interior as the kit had interior benches included. I made a tarpaper roof from red colored construction paper sanded down to look worn...George Dutka   


The kit has nice interior benches.

MIG paints are used to color the structure followed by some Bragdon Powders to tone down the new look of the paint.

The interior includes a passenger, luggage an old sign leaning inside and some newspapers.

Thursday, 26 June 2025

CP Work Cars and Others

CP 403995 in CP yard Toronto, Ont. November 1989 George Dutka photo, Peter Mumby collection.

Here are a few more CP work cars and others I saw on a trip to the CP yard in Toronto with Warren Dodgson decades ago. There is also a shot of a work car in Tottenham, Ont. from a visit there. These views are prints I scanned that are from the Peter Mumby collection...they were my traders.

More to come down the road...George Dutka

CP 404387 Bruce Peachey print photo, Peter Mumby collection. No data

CP 412249 at Tottenham, Ont. October 1989 George Dutka photo.

CP yard Toronto Nov 1989 George Dutka photo
CP 412330 Peter Mumby collection, no data.


Tuesday, 24 June 2025

This and That - June 2025

LNE 7025 Hicksville, NY 2-56. Houser - Bob Bowes collection now Peter and Keith MacCauley collection.
Just some extra's for this month...George Dutka

A nice find while the BMRHS cleans out the B&M offices with CSXT approval. Facebook photo.

REA Boston, Ma. 1-69 Bob Bowes collection - Peter and Keith MacCauley collection. 


SOO 69063, Peter Mumby collection.

TH&B 284 in London, Ont. Chase Bob Bowes Collection - Peter and Keith MacCauley collection.

Inwood flag stop on the WRD is a Creative Laser Design offering which was also available in O scale. I took a photo of the prototype sign on the station (which is still standing in Vermont) reducing it down to size.

Check out the clothing on the passengers boarding B&M RDC-1 #6143 at Gloucester. Geoff Southwood photo

I was in Broughdale Hobby here in London, Ont. this past week and noticed they have some nice 3D printed offerings. I really liked these short switch stands which I plan on using on diorama's and possibly a contemporary small layout.