Throw Back Thursday – RS18u OSR 181

by Keith MacCauley
Ontario Southland Railway No. 181 was constructed by Montreal Locomotive Works for the Canadian Pacific Railway in May of 1958 as RS-18 CP 8777. In 1989 the veteran unit entered CP’s remanufacturing program emerging as RS-18u CP 1861. Cast off in 1998, the unit was acquired by OSR and shortly thereafter decorated in the railway’s attractive maroon and cream scheme. The venerable unit has been out of service since August of 2021 due to electrical issues, and having been sold to the Sartigan Railway, now calls ‘La Belle Province’ home. 

For several years the Elgin County Railway Museum located in St. Thomas held an annual August Open House I believe called ‘Railway Days’. Over the years it was possible for the host to attract visitors to the event as the museum benefitted from a connection to the outside world via CP (since severed). In addition to OSR 181, among other attractions, I recall seeing a Canadian National GMD-1, ETR No. 9, and a brand new Union Pacific SD70M from the nearby GMDD locomotive plant.

Despite several Railway Day visits, I do not recall ever seeing Peter Mumby at the event. However, it seems that Peter and I were both at the Museum on the same day some twenty-seven years ago. Not only were we both there, but we both took almost identical shots of No. 181! While the timing of my view appears to be more high noon, based on the lighting, Peter’s photo was taken later in the day. It does appear that No. 181 has moved a couple of car lengths as well. Small world!

Wordless Wednesday No. 674

 

 

Touring VRS North Walpole NH Roundhouse

The group is seen inside the roundhouse as Aaron Bridge the Superintendent of railcar repairs in North Walpole (blue hat) fills us in on their operations. May 3 2026.

On Sunday the RRHS convention group gathered at the VRS roundhouse across the river from Bellows Falls yard and station. It was an interesting tour as I have never been on the grounds of shop and yard so this was a treat. These days the roundhouse is used to repair rolling stock although I noted a coach being stored in the end bay. 

I thought we could wander over the whole property but we were restricted to inside the roundhouse and around the turntable. The engines were all stationed further down that was off limits. The VRS has a nice display of signs they have saved which was nice to see...George Dutka

The entrance we used.

One of the original signs from Steamtown is seen on the wall. We were told this was found hanging on a locals fence and was salvaged to be saved inside the roundhouse. May 3 2026.

Inside the roundhouse there is a lot of stored stuff and neat artifacts on the wall.

Around the turntable.

Two railcars requiring service.

Stencils hanging on the wall.

A piece of rolling stock seen in the last stall of the roundhouse.

Looing in the main entrance.

Bellows Falls Models

A few more views of Ray Muntz Bellows Falls models. Unfortunately the chain broke on the ball signal he brought but it looked good. I still need to build the signal shanty for my layout. Another project to look into later this year. 

The sand house is a lot bigger than the Rutland Car Shops version I used on my layout. I learned at the convention the sand came from Alburg and was hand loaded into the sand house which would have taken a good amount of time. I think in later days some type of compressed air was used...George Dutka

The Rutland Ry Historical Society Convention

Two thirds of the Bellows Falls convention is over. Today we are going to the B&M roundhouse before I head for home. Friday night was a nice surprise. Most of the group went to diner at the old CV Windsor, Vt. station which is a very nice restaurant. They make their own pasta. Chicken parm. was great although it all looked good to me.  I would recommend dinner here. Back to the Best Western hotel in Springfield for slide night.

After elections Bill Badger gave us an update on membership which is down to about 200 from 400 years ago. He mentioned that today the average age of members is pre-deceased. That got some chuckles. Laz is working hard on getting the Newsliner back on track. An issue should be out shortly.

The days presentation were good. Phil Jordan covered the Bellows Falls switcher, milk business and roundhouse scene. Next up Bill Schultheiss did an overview of 24 hours in Bellows Falls in 1952. He counted on most days 44 trains came into town. I can only imagine railfanning there then. In the morning it seemed there was a train coming or going every 15 minutes with sometimes two there at a time. That is not counting the local switchers or trolley. Bill is modeling Bellows Falls and did a wonderful job researching this location. After lunch Phil covered the trolley scene, then Laz covered the flood of 1927 in town. I left after that as I felt tired and maybe overwhelmed with all I learned. There was only one more clinic left. It was great to see everyone. Some I had not seen in decades...George Dutka

I guess train time at Windsor station is now beer time.

One table full at the Windsor station restaurant. There was three full tables with the last ones arriving sat at the bar.

Ray Muntz Bellows Falls model. An article on this model and plans were in a past Newsliner.

Lots of Rutland papers for sale and books.

Don talking railroading with Bill.

Don had some Rutland brass for sale.

The day began with a short business meeting. Left to right is Phil Jordan, Bill Badger and Laz.

Lunch time break

The Rutland on the Green Mountain Division

I am at the Rutland Ry. Historical Society Convention in Bellows Falls, Vermont today so I thought I would post one of Don's Rutland Ry views. This is a recently posted Facebook view Don Janes took of his Rutland Ry area of his layout. North Bennington, Vt. is modeled well. One could see this portion of his layout in a MR issue recently...George Dutka   

New Book!

Now available through Amazon.

I began this book back in 2000 which was to be just plans and drawings with photos on front and rear cover. It was about half done when I seemed to have got away from it for about 20 years. How time flies.  

About 2024 I saw Lance Mindheim was publishing books through Amazon. I purchased a couple and they looked really good. I contacted Lance for some advice regarding the book I began so long ago. The comments were all positive. I began working on the book once again but with photos and a focus. I still had a lot of content for this "Modeling New England Railroads" book although some had been diverted away to RMC and CARM over the years. 

I had plugged a New England Book to RMC but Otto wanted a more general book which what was then published under my name.

Working on the book again there was a bit of struggles though with scanned drawing and photo sizes. From the scanner to what I saw when test printing the word document saw the scale size change. Even more when loaded to Amazon. It did not want to accept some images at all so about 8 pages had to be removed. The rest of the drawings are either right on for size or close. 

Content includes ball signals  some plans and sketches, structures such as the B&M WRJ yard office, Bellows Falls freight house built by Don Janes and updated and on my layout, B&M style station and a number more. Also three caboose models and a handful of New England freight cars are covered. Milk cars and creameries make up a chapter. Some of my Maine narrow gauge is covered. My ideas of coloring B&M and Rutland structures are included and snapshots of my WRD layout. At the back there is my tips on paints, stains and powders. 96 pages total.

The book is now available through Amazon for $26.00 US. I tried to keep the price as low as possible as I am more about getting the information out than the profit...George Dutka

Throw Back Thursday - Procor Built Plastic Pellet Cars

by Keith MacCauley  

Burgeoning plastics production in the 1970’s drove the demand for large volume AAR Class ‘LO’ covered hopper cars. Existing import duties and taxes compelled Procor to design and build their own plastic pellet covered hopper car. Visually a clone of the exterior ribbed Pullman Standard 5,800 cu. ft. car, the Oakville built car was nonetheless distinct, and featured functionally improved ‘TOGGLE-LOCK’ pneumatic outlet gates. Following a one car prototype built in 1976, Procor Oakville (Ontario) would subsequently manufacture some 1,600 pellet cars, a portion of which were built as sale cars for Dow Chemical (DCLX) and Union Carbide (UNCX). During a frenzied tank car build period in 1980/1981 Procor would share their design drawings with National Steel Car (NSC) who supplied some 200 plus LO’s marked with DCLX, UNCX and UNPX reporting marks. While larger volume/higher GRL LO’s have largely usurped the home built cars, several dozen UNPX LO’s soldier on in plastics transport as originally envisioned. As testament to their durability, many more continue in the service of subsequent new owners; both with plastic pellet payloads and in some cases bulk commodities having been modified with gravity outlet gates. As the ultimate honour, the Procor built plastic pellet car has been replicated in H.O. Scale!   

Wordless Wednesday No. 673

 

Rotterdam Jct. NY. April 28 2026 

New England Power

July 1969 Bangor, Maine. Peter Mumby collection.

These two photos are scans I did of Peter Mumby's slides. He did not take the photo but are from his collection. No names on the views...George Dutka  

Bangor, Maine, 1981. Peter Mumby Collection.

Interesting Weathering

CN London yard.

I saw this car being shoved into the yard on April 11, 2026 on train 509. Lots of rust steaking and product streaking on this car. The numbering is patched and painted but lots of steaking overtop now. Even the graffiti is hardly noticeable through the weathering. The reflective striping is also weathered in the middle of the car although clean on the ends...George Dutka  

April "This and That"

I spent a day this week with Don Janes picking up stuff he ordered at Otter Valley and ITLA. We had not been together since last fall. Don and Nick at his workbench which is his mother in laws old dining room table which was altered for more height. 

Just a bit about what I have been up to and what I have seen. I am heading to New England to attend the Rutland Railroad Historical Society Convention next weekend. It was the late 1990's the last time I attended. Not sure who I will know there these days, but it will be fun...George Dutka 

Nick's workbench when he is not laser cutting kits he has a nice surface for getting some modeling done.

I was painting my trucks the other day for a Proto CP paper car. I used Vallejo rust texture on the side frames and wheels on one side as seen above and cinnamon brown for the wheel faces on the other side as seen below. One car two looks.

Chris Wright a New England modeler from the St. Catherines area had a table at the Woodstock train show last Sunday. I seem to always pick up something from him.

If you like graffiti there was a young gentleman that would do your car while you wait for $10. 

I scanned this Peter Mumby photo after having a chuckle. Thought this might make an interesting model to add to your layout. A CP work train in London, Ontario brings along all the luxuries of home. Feb. 11, 1990.