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

 

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.