Before and After - Brookside

Wish I could find a color photo of the trucks.

I stopped by the site of the old Brookside plant in Bellows Falls while at the RRHS convention. The building from the road looks much like it did in the 40's and 50's...George Dutka  

May 3, 2026 Stacks missing now.

Throwback Thursday - Peter Mumby Canadian National GP40 CN 9316

by Keith MacCauley

Rapido Trains recently delivered a very authentic CN GP40. Given relatively long lives, as details change, locomotives tend to become very ‘snowflake like’; i.e. no two alike. Thus, the Rapido CN 9316 is accurate within a certain finite time frame. As example, photos from 1988 show a dynamic brake fan whereas photos from 1990 show no dynamic brake fan.

We were fortunate enough to acquire some locomotives from Peter’s collection including GP40 CN 9316. As shown, Peter created a very accurate CN 9316 using an Atlas GP40. Incredibly, the second Atlas GP40 offering has been in production from late 1999 until present; updated in 2017 with DCC/sound. Modifications were fairly extensive and included snow shields, split air tanks, rock pilot, and ditch lights. Peter also relocated the bell and horns, changed the nose mounted hand brake from ratchet to hand wheel, but left the dynamic brake fan in place. I believe Peter started with an Atlas factory decorated CN unit and paint touched up areas as needed. Some delicate weathering completed the transformation.

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.

Atlas model Oct. 2007.

Wordless Wednesday No. 689

 

Peter Mumby photo

Snapshot - August 2026

A WB passes our group and the tiny station in town.

This months snapshot is our local modeling groups visit to Ingersoll, Ont. August 5, 2026...George Dutka  

EB stack train pulling down to the crossing.

VIA 72 and all other trains we saw had to stop and flag the crossing as the gates were broken. This was great for us taking photos. Trains moved quite slow approaching the crossing.

An earlier morning EB.

The station is now boarded up.

Building Flat - Update

 

I added the numbers from a plastic lettering set I have which gives them a raised look. They are Slater's 5mm lettering.

I forgot to mention a few things about the build. These are added to the following photos...George Dutka  

Looking down one can see how the coloring of the roof turned out.

The completed model. All details are glued on to the sides at the base.

The signs are from Dave's Decals although I had to reduce the size and make photocopies to use. I need to get some of his N scale sets. The barrels are Juneco and boxes F&C. I put the local fish sign over the bottom of that window as it was a mess if left as-is.

Building Flat

Wall are done with acrylic paints.

As mentioned before this is a part of a kit that was a used sell-off. Not sure the heritage but looks kind of like a Walthers offering. It was glued together to well to pull out the windows and door so I had to work on it as-is. I brush painted the walls a mix of acrylic tuscan red and Deco Art deep red. I then flat finished it to dull down the windows. Robertson brick mortar formula is lightly and randomly applied. I wet my finger to rub some off.   

Concrete is FlokArt smoke screen matte finish. Also on sills base and roof. Walls got PanPastel red iron oxide extra dark, Windows and sills are neutral grey. Roof caps deep turquoise then Bragdon dark rust. 

Roof got a coat of AK asphalt with dark rust spilled over. Paper blinds and cardstock back is applied...George Dutka

Concrete is also acrylic paints.

The mortar mix is applied randomly. It's not great looking at the moment but will be once the powders are added.

All finished with details glued on.

Bellows Falls Vermont

The Rutland Ry. had an ice house on the river on the Bellows Falls sub. just to the west of the station yard area. Interesting there is no siding. Did they load ice right into the cars off the main line?

While at the Rutland Railroad Historical Society convention this spring I sat in on a presentation following the Rutland Ry during 24 hours in Bellows Falls by Bill Schultheiss. It was really interesting and some of the photos viewed features I did not know about or overlooked in the past...George Dutka.  

In these two photos one can see there was a light hanging right over the diamond another feature I don't think any of us model but something we should consider. I never even noticed the light there till Bill pointed it out.

All photos from the Rockingham Library Historic Photo Collection.

Throwback Thursday - GP40 9312

Canadian National GP40 CN 9312

by Keith MacCauley 

Canadian National’s EMD’s GP40’s have long been my favourite locomotives. However, duplicating one accurately in model form has been long been problematic. The first available H.O. scale GP40, from half a century ago (1975 - Yikes!), was the Atlas/Roco imported model. While it featured a scale width hood and a smooth running mechanism, details such as the handrails and fuel tank shape were relatively crude. No CN decorated version was offered. This was followed several years later by Athearn’s GP40-2; close, but no cigar. The second GP40 effort by Atlas was very much improved with prototype accurate details. Nonetheless, the under walkway air tanks were not split (CN insisted on a central fuel tank filler), and the step geometry was incorrect (not vertical). While an air tank/fuel filler modification is relatively simple, step modification is not. Finally, from Rapido, in classic ‘do over’ form, recently arrived a very authentic CN GP40. Judging by the attached photos, very well done!

CN 9312 emerged from GMD London in October of 1967 as CN 4012. Retired in 1995 the unit would be rebuilt into a GP38-2 equivalent and acquired by the Roberval and Saguenay Railway as RS 60. Note the lack of a dynamic brake fan. Most of the CN GP40’s had their dynamic brake function disabled with the fan blanked off or simply disabled.

Wordless Wednesday No. 688

 

Ghost Signs

 

Montreal, Que.

Some ghost signs I have seen in a Facebook group I belong to. Maybe some inspiration for your structures.....enjoy...George Dutka.  

Cooperstown, NY

Detroit 2021

Buena Vista CO. The train was originally painted over the cigar sign, but once some plaster on the side of the building was removed the cigar sign came through.

Grand Isle Nebraska a ghost sign on a truck. Might make a neat model.

Marlboro, NY

Pawtucket, RI

I like the effect of the ghost sign, vines and fence on the side of the building. Something to consider on your models. Also the TV antenna is a cool feature too. Milwaukee, WI.

Before and After

This before shot shows the structure with some decals that just flaked off. There is no rear wall on the model. I made one from cardstock.

I picked up this part building that could make a nice building flat at Broughdale's hobby shop here in London last month. It was a simple project that I will fill you in on shortly. Enjoy the views...George Dutka

The finished model. It will be used as a flat in a waterfront scene such as Portland, Maine. 

As you can see by the signs it is a fish location which fits with a port scene I am thinking of. Signs are from Dave's Decals.

This and That - August 2026

CV 4007 was seen on the Cadillac & Lake City Railroad in Lake City, Michigan in August 1971. (C. H. Geletzke, Jr. photo)

Just a bit more for all to see. I am away again this weekend, but this time it is to babysit my youngest grandkids. I'm not home till Monday so see you Tuesday.,,George Dutka

Found this on ghost signs the other day. It is in Rochester, NY. I like the look of the structure too. It can be made as a building flat added to other structures.

Another NJ covered hopper to add to my fleet.

Another ghost sign seen in Detroit on a smaller structure that is maybe something that fits a layout. Looks similar to some kits out.