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.

AI Photos

Trains meet at Bellows Crossing diamond on the White River Division. I asked it to change the background to New England early fall. Not sure why it put a water puddle on the road.

I am able to play with Copilot for a bit before they ask for money. I go back a few days later and I can play around with it again for a bit. Interesting but frustrating as some AI changes are way off the  mark...George Dutka.

Throw Back Thursday – Same Locomotive; Different Paint 1 (CN C-630M)

 By Keith MacCauley

Most forms of transportation enjoy relatively long lives. I was somewhat surprised to learn that the Air Canada Airbus A330-300 deployed on my return from the UK was 26.3 years old; more than a quarter century! In similar fashion, many locomotives toil for their owners over several decades. Over the duration, many train pullers wear more than one dress. Reasons for the redecoration vary; new corporate image, wreck damage, or simply wear and tear over the years. No doubt the AC A330 has been repainted once or twice as the airline reshaped its image. A couple images of a MLW built example. 

Wordless Wednesday No. 694

 

A reworked sign

Jim used AI to better fabricate this sign for use on a model.  

Jim Sloan took my photo from last month and reworked the sign so it can be useful on a model. Here it is and hope some of you can find a use for it. Thanks Jim...George Dutka

Vergennes, Vt. - Creamery

From Milk Train Journal on Facebook of the Ferrisburgh creamery. I mistakenly thought it was Vergennes.

A view of a creamery which once was serviced by the Rutland Ry in Ferrisburgh, Vt. Below are my views of a creamery on the Rutland Ry serviced in Vergennes. This building still stands but in other uses. For a number of years it was Kennedy Brothers but I don't think that is the case today. Also thought I would share a view from a visit this spring to Randy Laframboise...George Dutka  

April 29, 2026 roadside view of the ex-creamery.

April 29, 2026.

A view of the creamery on Randy Laframboise layout during Don and I visit on June 1, 2026. Cell phone view.