December 2025 - This and That

 

It appears the NEB&W layout and equipment are on the selling blocks. Sad to hear as it was always a nice layout to visit. I had thought when they saved the layout it would be rebuilt in some form.

Just some things I found interesting lately that I thought I should mention...George Dutka

NEB&W rolling stock for sale in Marlboro MA From: Tim O'Connor Date: Fri, 05 Dec 2025 18:08:43 PST The Hub train show in Marlboro, Massachusetts is tomorrow and Sunday. There are several tables of rolling stock from the NEB&W club. I was told this is just a "test" to see whether selling at shows will work better than selling on Ebay. The prices are basically bargains as far as I can tell. Many of the models have been detailed and/or modified and all of the freight cars are weathered appropriately. I was told the collection has dozens of brand new locomotives and large boxes of parts of every kind and a ton of unbuilt kits. Buildings will be on sale tomorrow too, I was told. Most of the NEB&W rolling stock was snatched up my RPI membership as well as a lot of the pieces of the layout.

Don McQueen is thinning out reading material. Contact him if interested.

FCRS Periodical Disposal, but some items looking for a new home - offered FREE

Might you, a friend , group or organization have an interest in any of the following magazines and timetables:

Branchline  (Bytown Railway Society)    1985+++

CN Lines (Canadian National Railways Historical Assoc.)   1989+++

CRHA News Report / CANADIAN RAIL   (Canadian Railroad Historical Assoc.)   1949++

Canadian Trackside Guide    (Bytown Railway Society)   1982++

Kingston Rail   (Kingston Div., CRHA)   2010++

Official Railway Equipment Register  (ORER)    1961=2022

Railroad Magazine  -inc. Railroad Storiea Magazine     (1933-1979)

Trains Magazine (1941-2000) ...  good bonfire starters

Upper Canada Railway Society / Rail & Transit   1951-1993

I arrived at Bayview on Dec 5, 2025 to a small group of railfans standing around in the cold. I was told CN 424 EB was coming down Copetown Hill with a heritage unit leading. So good timing for me. The sun was low and right behind the train so I was glad the sun went behind the clouds as the train arrived.

Later (Dec 5, 2025) on the way home I caught CN 387 WB at Princeton. It was sunset so my photos would need some adjusting, but interesting. 

Dec 3, 2025 our model railroad club here in London, Ont. (The Railroaders) gathered at Gary's home. The group has been getting smaller with two members passing this past year alone. That seems to be the trend as we are aging.

I had shown this model before, my ITLA Amherst Mass. station of the 1950's and 1960's. I added a 3D printed operator to the scene. Pierre Oliver used to sell these but not sure who will have them now. They are very nice figure models and the operator especially.

Two more views of CN 397 at Princeton, Ont. Princeton still has a working mill loading facilities. 

The last bit of sun hits the sides of the units as they have just crossed main street in Princeton.

On my last visit to Credit Valley Hobbies I was given this neat little stick made by Osborn Models. It has scale rulers, track and wheel gauge and drill bit guides. A neat little thing Derek Osborn came up with. Interesting to see Credit Valley has been around since 1993. Don't remember when I started going there, but it was a long time ago. So many hobby shops have disappeared over the years.

There is sandpaper attached to the back. A neat little tool.

Weathered Covered Hoppers

Ex Rock Island

I was at the top end of the CN yard in London, Ont. back on Sept. 24, 2025 when I noted a string of very weathered covered hoppers. Kind of neat for the guys that like weathering...George Dutka  

GTW

Section Tool House

I mentioned this structure before. It is a simple project and moved ahead of a long list of jobs. I got an early start at pulling it apart so I can paint the walls a boxcar red tone. Probably red oxide primer from Home Hardware. The door will be modeled open and the roof will be construction paper tarpaper in a gray tone. I will change out the roof stack with a caboose style one...more to follow...just a quick look at what I am up to today...George Dutka

Throwback Thursday - BNSF 9750

by Keith MacCauley

Burlington Northern Santa Fe SD70MAC BNSF 9750 was built by GMDD London in April of 1996. Note the Burlington Northern emblem on the nose and the large BNSF along the hood. Initially combined via a holding company in September of 1995, on December 31, 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railway was formally merged with the Burlington Northern Railway to form the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway. No doubt the sixteen-month transitional period explains the dual identity marked on the elegant AC unit. Based on online photos BNSF 9750 is still active, albeit now wearing the orange/black/yellow so called ‘Swoosh’ scheme. Of note, during the repaint BNSF lowered the headlight from above the windshield to the nose.  

Wordless Wednesday No. 655

 

 Coburg, Ont.

    

Snapshot - December 2025

 

This months Snapshot is my visit to White River Jct. Vermont on Sept. 12, 2025. First off it was nice to get a look at the NECR heritage unit while still very clean looking. Switching past the station really gave me a chance to get up close. VRS was in town too as it was still early morning. They were switching in the B&M yard which is very overgrown for one to watch other than at Nutt St. I did catch them at the station prior to leaving...George Dutka   

A nice sunny day on Sept. 12, 2025. I actually had really nice weather for the entire trip which was a treat. Note the platform is being worked on. Passenger boarding happens behind were I am standing.

Other than a new sign the Polka Dot Diner still looks as it always has.

Polka Dot Dinner how it looks today. Not the diner we all knew. Don and I have had a lot of breakfasts there over the years.

Vermont Rail Systems 207 prior to leaving town.

Lots in the NECR yard this day including two old CV work cars.

The VRS leaving town northbound. I could not chase as I was heading to Connecticut for the CVRHS convention the next day.