CP by the Mill

A CP local heads past the grain elevators on his new contemporary module. Note the 3-D printed details in the foreground. Don has invested heavy in these. Don Janes photo.

Don Janes photographed his module with some interesting details in the foreground. He has purchased heavy from Mini Prints lately. They have some really neat stuff. I have to put in an order too soon. Oh and his models are really nicely weathered which really adds to the scene...George Dutka  

July 2026 - Update

This is an O scale structure I finished back in early spring that I picked up at a show a number of years ago for 2 bucks. It is scratch-built but without roof, paint and any details. More on it on my narrow gauge blog shortly. It is going on my new On30" shelf layout.

Well summer is here and it is sizzling here in Southwestern Ontario. I have a lot on my plate at the moment with family commitments so posts will be hit and miss some weeks. I usually get a bit of modeling done when home and the days it is really hot...so will see. 

On another note it appears the Woodstock train show will happen this fall as a flyer from Collectors Shows came out and they are also venturing into Hamilton for a fall show...George Dutka

At the Ancaster train show there was these two CN speed signs for sale...one for 20$ which I really thought I would buy till the reality set in. I have no wall space left to hang them. A number of years ago I got rid of a bunch of CN station signs and cross bucks to the Komoka Railway Museum for the same reason. I had picked them all up at work with no idea where they would work on the walls of a New England themed layout.

I picked up this Rutland Ry. brass caboose at the Ancaster train show. It is in the old mineral brown scheme. I think I might repaint it red as in the 1950's. I do have decals for the project. Not sure yet will put it on the layout for a bit first.

A view from last weekend in London of CPKC on Saturday June 27, 2026.

Zebra strips still in use at CN London East back way lead Saturday June 27, 2026

CPKC Quebec Street lead viewed by the yard office London, Ont. Sunday June 28, 2026.

ThrowBack Thursday – CN 4016/9316

 by Keith MacCauley  

Canadian National GP40’s have long been my favourite locomotive. Delivered from London in two groups (4002 – 4011 in May/June 1966 followed by 4012 – 4017 in October 1967), the 3,000 HP units were CN’s second foray into so called ‘Second Generation’ motive power following a GP35 twosome (4000/4001 delivered 8/1964). The only GMD/Canadian built GP40’s, the units were distinctive due to their below walkway split air tanks. Of note, two class members (4006 & 4013) would serve as test beds in the creation of Positive Traction Control (PTC). Following preliminary development work in the mid 1960’s, in 1971 the GP40 Guinea Pigs were rewired for over the road testing. Successful, the duo paved the way for some two hundred and seventy-eight follow up ‘Comfort Cab’ GP40-2’s. Aside from No. 4011, retired due to a wreck while on a lease to the Louisville and Nashville Railroad in 1978, the balance of the GP40 fleet would serve CN for more than three decades in a variety of roles, including passenger service. The last two delivered (4016/4017) were re-geared to 89 MPH operation in 1972 and would pinch hit on occasion in both commuter service while on lease to GO Transit as well as inter-city service for CN; subsequently VIA, following its formation. Towards the end of their CN tenure, a handful were assigned to Sarnia tunnel service, resulting in a very soiled/grimy appearance. The fifteen GP40’s would be renumbered into the 9300 series in 1981 and several would find new homes with new owners following retirement.

(Information source: Canadian National Railways Diesel Locomotives Volume Two)

CN 9316 was constructed by GMD London as CN 4016 in October of 1967. Retired in November of 1996, the unit would be rebuilt into a GP38-2 equivalent and acquired by the Roberval and Saguenay Railway as RS 65. Note the original horns location and lack of dynamic brake fan in the later photos. Note also the lower height center radiator fan.

Wordless Wednesday No. 681

 

  

PB Fry's Ingersoll, Ont.

 

I have seen this fry stand all the time when trackside in Ingersoll railfanning the CN. It is in site of the tracks, but I have never wandered over for lunch. Maybe I should after seeing they are listed as a top 10 chip location in Canada.

This is what was on line...George Dutka

What makes this a great stop? It’s not just the deluxe French fries and poutines made with locally sourced cheese curds, but the story behind its success and current owner, 23-year-old Daniel Destine. Destine, who began working at age 15 at the 1972 Airstream Land Yacht, an Ingersoll staple that had been serving chips since 1964, jumped at the chance just four years later to buy the business.

Innovative menu offerings made P.B.’s an easy pick for the authors’ list of favourite chip-truck stops. Bennett recommends Pickle Fries — “pickles on fries, with the pickle vinegar on the fries.” Road-trippers eager to pucker up will find P.B.’s just a few minutes north of the 401.

Looking towards the Fries location from the CN main line in Ingersoll, Ont. June 21 2026

Maybe a neat little location to model on a layout?

I stopped by P.B's on my way home from the Ancaster train show to give it a try. I feel their regular fries are good but not really top 10 but realized I should have gone for their signature pickle fries. June 21, 2026.

A Look at the Weathering

My Rapido boxcar was done sometime ago but I wanted to show you a few more views of how it went. I seem to have a good size modern fleet now for era changes...George Dutka

Most of the weathering was done to the roof. The products used are seen here. The car sides are kept pretty clean. 

Union Flag Station

June 10, 2025 looking north at the Union Depot between Pt. Stanley and St. Thomas Ontario on the PSTR.

The Union, Ontario flag station on the PSTR (Port Stanley Terminal Railway) is kind of a neat concrete structure that has survived through the years when most flag stations had not. Sylvan produced a model of the structure which can now be purchased at the Port Stanley station when boarding the train for a ride. It is a simple structure that is typical of Sylvan builds. I hear the PSTR sold a lot of these kits this spring with more being ordered...George Dutka

A built model on display inside the station.

What one gets in the kit. I also picked up one to build.

The station has a number of L&PS memorabilia. 

Snapshot - June 2026

A EB passes Amsterdam, NY station on the morning of May 28, 2026. There really was no sun on this day but the light was still good. It began to rain before we left.

This months snapshot is of Don Janes and I visiting Amsterdam, NY. This is a nice place to sit and watch trains at the depot with a nice view of the river when trains are not in the picture. The station was open on our visit which is a newer style of structure with washrooms available. There are a couple of nice benches to rest on right on the platform. Here is what we saw in a short visit both going and leaving the Springfield RPM...George Dutka  

The Amsterdam, NY station is a smaller structure but well kept. Note the flowers out front trackside. May 28, 2026.

There are two Amsterdam signs one can maybe get into a photo.

During the later afternoon an EB comes around the curve as the west end of the station. A nicer lit shot would be in the morning looking this way.

There are two benches on the platform. Don and I spent sometime on our way to the RPM sitting on them waiting for trains. What we got was some rain so we had to leave.

The EB Maple Leaf arrives at the station. Note the stepping boxes that are in place all the time.

Throwback Thursday - Peter Mumby Collection – Fallen Flags

by Keith MacCauley 

I came to know Peter over the years at the local Train Shows. He always had an amazing variety of kits and model railroad supplies at more than fair prices. In addition to model wares, Peter always included photo albums with prints of his own material for sale. Knowing Peter’s interest in freight cars, I would usually look through the albums before the kits. On occasion he would also bring a few pages of slides. Later on I came to know that Peter’s personal slide collection was substantial, diverse, and like many railfans, included traded material. A sampling of so called ‘Fallen Flag’ or defunct railways from his collection as follows.

BN 164

Built 4/1957 as Great Northern GN 31. Post merger, subsequently BNSF 3547; retired/sold to Burlington Junction Railway. Note the Flexicoil style trucks.

CBQ 953

Built 5/1962 by EMD. Renumbered BN 2230. One of my favourite paint schemes.

CNW 404

Built 12/1966 by Alco, renumbered CNW 4258 in 1982. Relatively fresh paint.

LN 1313

Built 8/1966 by Alco. My all time favourite design Alco diesel locomotive.

MILW 70C

Built 7/1950 by EMD. Classic A-B-B-A consist.

Wordless Wednesday No. 680

 

  

Rutland Ry Boxcar Roof

Rutland Ry. PS-1 Omaha Nebraska on Rock Island June 19 1957 David Hutchinson collection.

There has been a debate in the past about what color the Rutland Ry boxcar roof color are. I was surprised to see this view of a boxcar posted on Facebook a week or two ago. It shows the roof as an unpainted metal roof which would have a galvanized metal look. Thanks David for sharing...George Dutka 

Kip Grant's Rutland boxcar at a past RPM meet. He did his roof silver with a flat finish and alcohol and India ink applied. His photo appears to have a silver tone roof.

A past Wordless Wednesday post. I purchased this boxcar from Don Janes a few years back which was a Steam Shack offering which had a yellow roof. Maybe the 400 series had yellow roofs. 

The Kadee model #248 has a silver roof while the Intermountain model has a yellow roof. Which one is correct? I feel both maybe correct as it appears in some photos I have seen a hint of yellow. I see the yellow on the edges of some roof ribs and running boards that may indicate they were yellow. As modelers I would go with the photo you have.

Power at North Walpole NH.

May 3, 2026 the power is tucked away behind the rolling stock out front.

Just a couple shots of the power seen at North Walpole NH the day of the RRHS convention tour and the afternoon before...we did not have access to get near the power...George Dutka

May 2 2026 from the roadway one could see one of the engines between the overhead wires.

Truck Trailers on the WRD

I did not have a use for two of these B&M lettered trailers on the layout so they became storage locations that actually adds a bit more interest to a scene. I just used leftover details that bring the scene together. This one is in Bellows Falls.

Just a couple of views of trailers in use on the White River Division. I think both of these trailers have been seen on the layout before in photos but here are some up close views...George Dutka

I added this NH trailer to my Bellows Falls, Vermont scene that I had done some weathering to. Just picked up a new pickup truck too. It needs some flat finish.

A General Store to Model?

Looking across the road on April 30, 2026. The tracks are just behind the small building in the rear of the photo. 

I stopped by West Hartford, Vermont on my way to White River Jct. I was following the CV for a bit along Route 14. The old West Hartford Village Store (which is closed) next to Harper Savage Lane is a larger structure that might make a neat model. It is long with some interesting features. My friend Bill Moore was interested in something along this line for his layout if I was interested in building something...maybe this one would work. I also went down to the tracks just north of here where there is a cemetery that I have seen views of trains passing by years ago. It is somewhat overgrown but a couple of spots one could still get a decent shot when the leaves are gone...George Dutka 

It was a rainy morning with a light drizzle when I took these views. A stop on a nicer day maybe in order if I decide to build a model. The general store was damaged by hurricane Irene back on Sept 7, 2011 but repaired. At that time it was call the West Hartford Village Store. It closed as a general store in 2015. At one point I think it was called Hack and Livery General Store and Messier General Store also at another time.

Looking at the rear from the NECR tracks behind me.

Roadside view April 30, 2026

A view looking south at the tracks from the West Hartford, Vt. cemetary.

Milk Cans at Wells River, Vermont

I saw this interesting photo of Wells River which is a postcard on Facebook awhile back. Check out all the milk cans on the baggage carts and stacked next to the structure which I figure is a freight house. This is an early era view but still a lot of milk cans collected here...George Dutka  

Throwback Thursday – BCOL 753

 

by Keith MacCauley 

British Columbia Railway SD40-2 BCOL 753 was constructed by GMDD London in September of 1980. Further to service in Canada’s western most province the six axle unit would be retired in 2003 and sold to General Electric; renumbered GECX 753. Resold to Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railway as ICE 6451, the veteran unit would subsequently be acquired by the Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern Railroad as RCPE 3643.

Long a devoted MLW customer, BC Rail was forced to work with another supplier when the Montreal based builder ended locomotive production. The railway would roster a total of thirty-two SD40-2’s made up of fifteen EMD built (previously owned) and seventeen newly built GMDD’s. All were off the roster by 2010.

The ‘Z’ separated green/dark green BC Rail paint arrangement is among my all time favourite schemes. Not a fan of the follow up red/white/blue scheme. While no doubt intended to honour British Ensign colour ancestry, to me it screams ‘USA’.