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.

This and That - October 2026

 

The GTW Holly Michigan station on the move to a new location about a year ago.

A mix of photos and topics for the month of October...George Dutka  

I don't recall the location but someone added siding to their caboose. I am not sure if I like how this one looks.

Jason Jensen has just released a new model which is in N scale. I think this might be his first kit in that scale. He offers some wonderful structures in HO scale.

A view of Woodstock, Ontario with a EB passing the station. There was a group of Morning Sun Books photo for sale on line recently and this was one of the images offered. Ian Deck photo. Always liked this location for photos. The overhead bridge that Ian was on is now gone as is the Purina mill in the background.

I have a brass model for this car that was missing the floor and trucks. I have to get working on it.

I really like the looks of this Borden's sign on the side of the building in Chicago during 1915. These details really make the structure. Looks like the whole family is out posing for the photo.

Neil Schofield - CP in Vermont

An overall look at the main yard on Neil's layout.

Don Janes and I visited Neil Schofield's layout during the NERPM this spring. It was nice to see what he had competed since our last visit maybe two years ago. These views gives one a look at the rolling stock in the yard plus engines and cabooses in use. I really enjoy seeing how Neil weathers his cars up. Very realistic! More photos to follow in another post...George Dutka 

A nice variety of rolling stock. Taken with my cell phone.

Like the look of the CP International of Maine boxcar.

Throwback Thursday - GMDD Built Class 66 Locomotives

by Keith MacCauley 

For the second time while vacationing in the UK I heard the distinctive turbo-charged chant of a two cycle EMD prime mover. To my delight I was able to get decent photos of two GMDD London built Class 66 locomotives along with pan shots of another. Some details as follows. Officially a model JT42CWR, the Class 66 locomotive is configured as double cab, full width carbody. Powered by a twelve cylinder 710 prime mover developing 3,300 HP, the double ended DC locomotive features EMD’s patented self-steering trucks. Production of the Class 66 locomotives would commence in 1998 in London Ontario and, following the closure of the GMDD facility in 2012, conclude in 2016 from Muncie IN. In total some five-hundred were produced for the UK; through sales and acquisitions, operation of the British Class 66’s has spread into Europe.

Seemingly operating crew protection in Great Britain is not a priority; I did not even see evidence of an anti-climber on the pilots. I have to believe that there must be substantial collision posts positioned in front of the engineer’s and helper’s seats (not sure if they use the term ‘conductor’?).

GB Railfreight 66706 was built in 2001, Heavy Haul Rail 66418 was built in 2006, and Freightliner 66566 was delivered in 2002.

Wordless Wednesday No. 693

 

More NEB&W Papers

Do you remember the days when we looked forward for a new Berkshire Blab to be printed. There was a lot of interesting information in there and news on new kits. Hard to believe the offering and club is now gone.

I found these paper the other day when going through my Rutland Ry. papers...George Dutka

Green Mountain Divsion

The Green Mountain Division set in 1950's. Don Janes photo.

A view Don Janes posted on Friday on Facebook. I really like the view so am sharing it with you. It is in his Waterbury, Vt. scene...George Dutka  

NEB&W Boxcar

What came in my box of parts. A C&BT Shops offering.

I recently found my boxcar kit that I got second hand of a NEB&W model. It has some work already done to it but I have more to do. Another project for this fall or winter...George Dutka

Mine is numbered NEB&W 80775

More Ghost Signs!

Believe this one is Detroit.  

Here are a few more examples that might inspire you to try some old signs. Dave's Decals have a lot of interesting signs that can work like these views...George Dutka

Throw Back Thursday – CN Cabooses (1)

by Keith MacCauley

Somewhat difficult to believe that the caboose as the last car of a train has been absent from railroading for almost forty years. Granted regulatory approval in early 1988, Canadian railways embraced the transition from ‘van’ (Canadian for caboose) to EOT (End Of Train) device with enthusiasm. Some views of CN’s well known Pointe St. Charles caboose.