Throwback Thursday - Diet Pepsi Taste Drive Train

by Keith MacCauley 

Back in 1990, Pepsi partnered with VIA Rail to promote diet Pepsi using VIA locomotive 6400 as the centrepiece. The GMDD built F40PH-2 and a handful of passenger cars were ‘wrapped’ with vinyl ‘DIET PEPSI’ graphics in both English and French. Beyond advertising, the purpose of the special train was also to deliver Isuzu Trooper SUV’s to contest winners located from coast to coast. Featured along the way at stops were free concerts televised by MuchMusic with the special train serving as a back drop. Following the special train duty VIA 6400 would be the first locomotive to be rebuilt as an F40PH-3. Sadly, No. 6400 would be destroyed in a derailment in St. Charles-de-Bellechasse, Quebec in February of 2010.

Wordless Wednesday No. 686

 

CVR RS-3

CV 1859 with two milk cars. Posted by Jeff Lodge, CVRHS Ambassador editor.

This photo came across one of the Facebook groups I follow. It is from the Jim McFarlane collection. So probably in the CVRHS collection also. Anyhow it appears to be the south end of St. Albans, Vt. yard and undated. The RS-3's where short lived in service on the CV. On this day it appears to be ready to leave with two milk cars on the head end. Enjoy the day...George Dutka

WRD Diamond Comes Out.

The diamond is out and a piece of flextrack is in place. The back track will need some support underneath and also the foreground trackage needs to be figured out.

I spent a couple of hours downstairs last month during a humid day and finally tore out the diamond. I cut in a switch which take the trains into the yard via a different route. Nothing is actually attached as I wanted to see where the roadbed needs to be first. I did not have to destroy much of the layout to get a new look to this area...George Dutka 

A bit of work will have to be done to get some plywood into the locations that need trackage.

Peter Mumby - Toronto

 

Peter was at Spadina shops Toronto back in May 1983 and got this shot of VIA power sidelined and some of the RDC fleet...George Dutka

 

August 2026 - Update

Train maybe a transfer run on May 28, 2026 in Palmer, Ma. Don and I went into the Steaming Tender for an early supper. While we were in there they pulled over the diamond and we did not see them again.

I have not been down in the basement much lately so don't have a lot of modeling to show you although the diamond is out and trackwork should begin soon. Here are a few views from my files and views from last month. Internet is spotty up at the lake for me so that is way there has been some days of no posts. That probably will continue till the end of the month...George Dutka

I had a question asked about this diner when I first posted it. I did not know anything about it till it came across my screen once again but in color. The caption said 1952 and the remarks mentioned maybe Oakland, California.

I asked while visiting the Bellows Falls Historical Society prior to the Rutland Ry Convention this year if they had any information on the BF Co Op Creamery. I was directed to there two pages hanging on the wall. I realized they were copies of my post on the topic from my blog. Surprised to see that but fun.

On display at the Bellows Falls Historical Society building on May 1, 2026

I was attending the Ontario Games on July 31 2026. My granddaughter Grace was playing. I was downtown in Cambridge and came across this painted wall sign.

I stopped by Otter Valley last month and noted that Roberts can be purchased in two sizes. I have the big one but it dries out so maybe the smaller one is a good option. I have been able to get it back to a paste by adding water and letting it sit for a bit followed by a good mix.

Nice looking Atlas car at Otter Valley but the price will keep me away from a purchase for the moment.

Gary Pembleton sent me these two photos of the Aylmer, Ont. coal tower after my post awhile back. Gary was visiting there with Tim Ball both are retired CN dispatchers. Tim Ball photos.

Throwback Thursday - Grand Trunk Western GP40-2 GTW 6425 Before and After

By Keith MacCauley 

Grand Trunk Western GP40-2 No. 6425 was built by EMD in November of 1979 as Detroit, Toledo and Ironton DTI 425. Acquired by GTW in 1984 when DTI was absorbed by the Canadian National subsidiary the venerable unit is still in service, albeit local, no longer plying the main line.

No. 6425 in blue dress is shown mid consist at the head of the so called ‘Laser’ train and decades later, repainted, switching cars in Brantford. As shown, the veteran locomotive, aside from paint, has undergone a number of changes in the last thirty-seven years. Alterations include; relocated horns, blanked class lights, electronic bell, added ditch lights and removed beacon. Note the former ‘Burdakin blue paint showing through on the cab roof. Of the twenty GP40-2’s GTW inherited from DTI, only two remain active; nos. 620 and 6425.

Wordless Wednesday No. 685

 

Peter Mumby photo

CN - Whitby Station

Jocelyn Gordon's grandfathers negatives of the station in Whitby, Ontario.

I came across these two photo from maybe the late 1940's or early 1950's of Whitby station shortly after my last post on the topic. They are neat to see if you ever were by that location...George Dutka 

A trackside view of the station. 

A Staged Scene

I left a lot of space on my back alley module for the placement of trucks and interesting drop-in's. I did not really think of other building flats but it appears to work.

Not sure if I showed you these views I took back in February. I staged my ITLA structures on my back alley module. There is lots of room in the foreground so it is easy to drop the flats in. They actually look pretty good in there...so I have flats in front of flats for setting up photo scenes...George Dutka

Building flats placed in front of a row of building flats can make for an interesting scene.

Peter Mumby Photo

 

A weather beaten Geep is at the shop in London, Ontario on Jan 8, 1990. I was going through Peter views and thought this was a great bit of inspiration for you guys looking for a weathering project...George Dutka 

CN Whitby Station

These black and white photo's showing the Whitby station on a flatbed trailer being moved across the train tracks from the station's original location on Feb. 16 1970. 

The Whitby station was built at the foot of Byron St. on the GTR in 1903 near the current GO platform. The station closed in 1969 and in 1970 was moved to the north east corner of Victoria and Henry St. for use as an art gallery. In 2004 the station was moved again across the road to Whitby Iroquois Park and is still used as an art gallery and a location for everyone to take art classes. A side building has been built which has a basement area which is used as workshops. The station remains in great shape and is connected to the new building via an enclosed breezeway. I stop by most times I find myself in the area...George Dutka

2024

The structure on the left is the add-on building with a basement art studio for the artists. Oct. 8, 2024. There is a walkway that attaches it to the station.

Roadside view of Whitby station Oct 8, 2024

The interior of the station as it looked in 2024.

Plans of the station is hanging inside the station for all to see.

This photo was on the wall of the station.

The station before it was moved across the street.

Oct 14, 2025

A NEB&W Boxcar

The NEB&W was a fixture in the hobby for decades. In the modeling world the NEB&W definitely "ran" to the Canadian border and perhaps to Montreal as the D&H did. So a model of this car might work for many modelers that want something different on the layout. 

I came across a post on Facebook this past weekend from James C Jensen. He has modeled a New England, Berkshire & Western boxcar from a C&BT Shops kit. He replaced the grab irons, ladders and stirrups on his model. For weathering James used a photo of a similar looking D&H boxcar from the 1980's as a guide. He has done a wonderful job with the model. I have some NEB&W decals and I feel there is a finished model put away somewhere here that was produced at one time similar if not identical to this model...George Dutka

A visit to Paris Ontario

CN WB at Paris, Ontario on July 19, 2026

Last Sunday I was in Paris to meet up with friends Keith and Peter MacCauley on the rooftop of Stillwaters. I should note that Keith retired near the beginning of this month too...congratulations! We had a nice meetup with a chance to catch three CN trains on the Paris bridge. We talked about the Peter Mumby book I am working on. Keith is being a big help with this project which is moving along quickly. A pleasant afternoon for sure...George Dutka  

From our table on the rooftop patio of Stillwaters, Peter and Keith are ready to catch a train. Seems we forgot about our food.

You can see one needs a telephoto lens as the bridge is off in the distance. A great place to eat and sip on a cold beer.

CN EB at Paris the second container train of the heading east. July 19, 2026

A Visit with Don Janes

Don in his new modern era switching layout space which is coming along well. This is also his work shop room.

I drove down to visit with Don on Wednesday as we had not got together since the Springfield RPM. Time flies for two old retired guys who seem to be busy all the time. Anyhow it was a nice visit and a chance to see Don's new modern era switching layout that is coming along well. We played around with a few buildings on the far wall to see how they best fit. I also got a chance to see his two weathered CP Alcos that arrived at the door just before I left...George Dutka  

Don's new arrival this week seen on the layout for a front end Friday post on Facebook. He had one weathered more than the other. They look great.

Coal Tower - Aylmer, Ontario

The lot is still available. You can have your custom home built in Aylmer, Ont. with a coaling tower out back. Seen on July 17, 2026.

I stopped by the location of the Wabash coaling tower in Almer, Ont. the other day. It is still standing overtop the siding but a new subdivision is being built backing onto the old Cayuga Sub. Interesting enough someone is going to have a coaling tower outside their back window to look at. If your house is coal fired there still might be some coal left in the tower too...George Dutka  

Looking west from the nearest crossing one can see the coal tower on the siding through the Northern Ontario fire smoke. July 17, 2026. 

The tower is starting to crumble in spots and showing its age.

Trucks on the Cheap!

A $4.00 model can be turned into something interesting.

 By Bill Badger  

Miniature Tanks make cheap vehicles for the military gaming crowd and some will work for civilian use too. Autocar Dispatch trucks were built in Russia under license as Zis. Here we see Zis 5 and 6. They are once piece prints that are the very definition of crude, but for $4.05 each!

A bit of paint and detailing changes and you get a cheap Autocar with painted trim or something similar. Chop up the body to get a heavy duty flatbed truck for rock work.

Here is what you get.

This is my version.

A heavy load.

Throwback Thursday - Peter Mumby - Caboose Photos Part 1

by Keith MacCauley  

As previously mentioned, Peter was among the minority of railway photographers who captured more than just the front end of trains and shot both freight cars and cabooses. Of course, in Canada we used to refer to the last car on the train as a ‘van’.

Despite the identical paint scheme, AC 9601 is not a former Canadian National caboose. It was however from the same builder; one of six manufactured by Pointe St. Charles in 1976.

According to online information, both of the blue cabooses were manufactured by International Car Company located in Kenton, Ohio. The original number of B&O 903799 was C-3799 built in 1971. The C&O bay window caboose was a product of Fruit Growers Express of Alexandria, Virginia. Note the blue panel below the bay window with stenciling designating C&O 904121 as an International Service caboose operating between Detroit and Canadian subdivisions.