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.

Throwback Thursday - Peter Mumby Collection – Fallen Flags 2

by Keith MacCauley 

Some additional ‘Fallen Flag’ images from the Peter Mumby collection.

 GP35 AA 387

Built 3/1964 by EMD. Subsequently TSBY 387.

 CVL 4099

Built 9/1952 by Alco as D&H 4099. Subsequently Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad CVSR 4099.

 DMIR 150

Built 3/1958 by EMD. Subsequently Birmingham Southern BS 650.

 UP 458

Built 6/1953 as UP 783.

Wordless Wednesday No. 687

 

  

Green Mountain Route

A local at Waterbury, Vt. on Don's Green Mountain Division. Don Janes photo.

Another of Don Janes photos of his nice layout and equipment. A wonderful view of a CV Also and caboose. The caboose is a Steam Shack kit that is now available through F&C...George Dutka  

Woodstock Station

April 2, 2026

I visited the VIA Woodstock, Ontario station this spring. It has been in a plastic cocoon for a couple of years while they restored it. It had been painted for the whole time I worked for CN plus retirement time so over 50 years now. I think it was two different colors during that time too. Anyhow all the paint is gone and it looks wonderful. The style of the station with the angles and bump-outs make it nice.

When I worked the yard job there in the 1980's we had a crew room on the east side rear and there was an operator on duty through the day at that time...George Dutka 

The crew room was inside here.

Looking east

Station details are nice. April 2, 2026

Neil Schofield - Modeling the Richford area

Neil's CV Richford Sub trestle is tucked into a small scene.

Don and I stopped in to see Neil after the Springfield RPM to see how his layout is coming along. He has a new scene of the Richford Sub that he talked about at the meet. It was nice to see it in person. Neil will be here in Ontario on the weekend of August 29-30. He will be doing a clinic at the exposition which will be held in St. Jacobs. It appears the steam engine will be up and running also for the event. Unfortunately it is summer and I am tied up then. But if you are free and in the area do see Neil's clinic he does a really good job with his clinics...George Dutka

One other scene that was built near Richford is this structure found in a Ian Stronach photo. 

Another view of the trestle scene. 

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