Throwback Thursday – Canadian National Sweeps

by Keith MacCauley 

Seeing George’s recent post on the upcoming Rapido CN ‘Sweep’ caused me to search through my photos to see how many I had captured over the years? Somewhat to my surprise, I had recorded all but one; CN 7100. According to the Canadian Trackside Guide (CTG) and the fabulous reference ‘Canadian National Railways Diesel Locomotives Vol. 2’, the Sweeps were manufactured by Pointe St. Charles (PSC) in two groups; CN 7100 – 7101 (1985) and CN 7102 – 7107 (1987). I believe CN 7100/7101 (originally numbered CN 7300/7301) were test beds, released ahead of the others.

In the late 1980’s, early 1990’s Canadian National’s Stuart Street Yard in Hamilton seemed to receive a steady diet of newly rebuilt power, including GP9RM’s, GMD1u’s and Sweeps. No doubt, contributing to my good fortune in seeing so many newly painted units. Recognizing that the cost was high for the end result, the CN Sweep fleet only totaled eight members. Subsequently, eligible SW1200RS’s were rebuilt in kind and renumbered into the CN 7300 series. Incredibly, cast off by CN, many of the Sweeps soldier on for their new owners in industrial switching service.

Wordless Wednesday No. 697

 

 

Snapshot - October 2026

This months Snapshot is an interesting view and story sent to Kenneth Borg by Bill Clynes...George Dutka

Momentary look at something which didn't happen. The Alco built CP RS2's did not have MU so they operate as single units. But here the RS2 working as a yard switcher has backed against a local which had been parked in front of the station. The result looks like a pair on a local but in reality its just a switching move.  

B&M GP-18

Boston & Maine GP-18 1770, the first of 6 GP-18's purchased under the Benson Administration in May 1961. EMD photo 

Now, apparently somebody didn't get the memo, B&M wanted them numbered 1750-1755, but the first four came delivered as 1770-1774 and EMD had to pay to have the cabs repainted with the proper lettering...Bill Clynes. Sent to me by Kenneth Borg...George Dutka

Bellows Falls Yard

A look at the yard and rolling stock I have out at the moment.

A couple of cell phone views of the Bellows Falls yard last week. Not much happening in there lately but the equipment is ready to roll...George Dutka  

October 2026 - Update

I had unpacked some of the models I acquired from Peter Mumby. This one the flat finish has seemed to gone frosty over the years. Peter and I built these models back in early 1990's. Any ideas to correct the finish? 

Not much modeling going on at the moment. I was away to Muskoka last weekend so no posts for a few days and my boat finally is coming out on Tuesday so my winter officially begins then and possibly some modeling. I will be away for a part of November and December to warm places so limited if any posts while I am away. I am still involved locally with our club here in London and also the NMRA-WOD as both had meets this month...George Dutka

If you are local my two Amazon books are available in Broughdale Hobbies and also Otter Valley Railroad.

I was given this structure to see what I can do with it. Not sure what will happen to it but for now it is in a box with other projects.

Nick of ITLA arrived at our WOD meet on Wednesday in his fun wheels since the weather was great. We visited all three stations still standing in Tillsonburg, Ont.

Guilford, Maine

Our local modeling group gathered at the Denfield bridge over the CN and CPKC just west of London. A nice warm day.

We held a WOD meet this past Wednesday which had 13 attend even though the advance notice was less than a week. We are at the CN caboose by the station in Tillsonburg.

Kind of a neat old sign one might want to use on a fence.

FOS - Kit of the Month

Just some photos from my small collection of FOS Kit of the Month Club models that I have built. I still have a few more to complete. Surprising I have been able to use a few on the layout which don't take much room at all. One of my builds is actually on Don Janes layout too. Some that did not fit anywhere I have sold off...George Dutka

Although I don't have a spot for this one on the layout it is a display I like looking at. I really liked building this one. Always nice to have fun builds for no reason at all.

Throwback Thursday – Rymal 2 (Early Memories)

by Keith MacCauley  

I have to believe that most model railway modellers focus on a particular era and locale. For George it’s New England and the Central Vermont Railway (among other area railways).

Growing up near the Canadian National (former Hamilton and Northwestern Railway) right of way inspired my early model railway interest. Thus, my passion is confined to Canadian National in the 1980’s. Fortunately, history of the H&NW branchline has not gone undocumented; books include Charles Cooper’s ‘RAILS TO THE LAKES The Story of the Hamilton and Northwestern Railway’ (1980) and Ian Wilson’s ‘STEAM ECHOES OF HAMILTON’ (2008). The Hamilton to Port Dover branchline was also included in David P Morgan’s legendary hardcover ‘CANADIAN STEAM’ (1961). A former lineside silo facility at Rymal is documented online; https://www.rymalstationheritage.com.

Among my earlier memories are those of CN’s ubiquitous GMD London built GP9’s in original form. While not nearly as common as the daily SW1200RS’s, the Dick Dilworth designed units were always a pleasant surprise.

Wordless Wednesday No. 696

 

Don Janes photo

CN Sweep's

Peter Mumby photo no date.

It appears Rapido is coming out with the CN Sweeps...here are a couple of photos of Peter's visits to the yard in London...George Dutka  

MEC Milk Car

Not a clear photo but here is MEC 1513 from the 1506-1525 series at Newport Jct. Maine during May 1961. Don't have a photographer's name for this one.

When I saw this view of a MEC milk car it reminded me of the model my late friend Bruce Douglas gifted me a number of years ago. Thought I would share these with you...George Dutka  

This is Bruce Douglas's version of the MEC milk car that he built back in the 1980's. 

Throw Back Thursday – Canadian Pacific MLW Power (Peter Mumby photos)

by Keith MacCauley 

Residing in London Ontario, and having both Canadian National and Canadian Pacific virtually in his backyard, Peter had a steady supply of motive power to chase and record. Through the years he amassed a remarkable collection of locomotive photos; both action views and roster shots. While somewhat in the minority population wise, locomotives constructed by Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) were frequently his subject matter.

RS-18u CP 1848

Built 5/1958 by MLW as RS-18 CP 8775. Rebuilt/chop nosed 1989 by CP as RS18u CP 1848. Retired/sold 11/1997 to Quebec Gatineau Railway, renumbered QGRY 1848. Retired 1998, scrapped.

C-424 CP 4214

Built 3/1965 by MLW. Retired/sold 11/1997 to Quebec Gatineau Railway, QGRY 4214. Sold 10/2001 to New Brunswick East Coast Railway, renumbered NBEC 4214. Acquired 11/2008 by CN. Sold 1/2010 to American Steel & Trading LLC for removal of parts and scrapping.

M-636 CP 4716

Built 1/1970 by MLW. Retired 12/1993, un-retired 3/1994. Re-retired 2/1995, scrapped.

Wordless Wednesday No. 695

 

Bob Thompson photo

MEC Woodchip Car

Thought you might like this view of a MEC woodchip car. I like building my cars from Front Range models as they come with removable roofs...George Dutka  

Don Janes New Layout

I took these views with my cell phone during a September visit to Don's. He has a lot still to complete on the switching layout.

Here is a few views of Don's layout he is building in a room in his basement. It is a switching layout but we will let Don write up something for you to read down the road. Happy Thanksgiving guys...George Dutka

Bellows Falls, Vermont

Bellows Falls, Vermont May 2, 2026

At this years Bellows Falls Rutland Railroad Historical Society convention Bill Schultheiss pointed out an interesting structure that one sees in many photo of the south end of the tunnel. I had not looked closely at it but it is an interesting structure. I could not find the views of the wall with the side stairs and details that really would make a great model. Thanks Bill for pointing this out...George Dutka  

A very narrow building considering it's height.

You can see the tracks below. This wall had stairs and maybe details on it when viewing old photos. 

From years ago.