Welcome, follow along with George Dutka in his journal which documents the additions and future thoughts for the HO scale White River Division model railroad and to his continuing historical New England railroad research. The White River Division is now in its 17th modeler's season. The "modeler's season" runs from November to April each year. Inspiration comes from the Boston and Maine, Rutland and Central Vermont Railway during the 1950's with additional posts by Don Janes and Peter Mumby.
Friday 31 March 2023
New England Brownstone castings
Thursday 30 March 2023
GMD Recollections - North to Alaska
Appropriately enough, there were flurries in the air as ARR 4001 was on view on Jan. 05, 2000. Note the stylized North Star and Big Dipper located high on the hood above the "KA" in the road name. |
Skies were clear on Jan 07, 2000. |
Wednesday 29 March 2023
Tuesday 28 March 2023
Snapshot - March 2023
VIA 72 is approaching the home signal to the CN Strathroy Sub., Feb. 11, 2023 in Komoka, Ont. A neat looking bridge that would be nice to model. |
Monday 27 March 2023
Doubleheaders Layout Tour 2023
An overall view of the Hespeler arena registration center for the Doubleheader layout tour. There was 6 layouts and displays setup. Four N scale and two HO scale modular railroads. |
The Waterloo Region Model Railway Club located in Maryhill has been building and operating a 1970's version of the CP in Northern Ontario radiating out of Sudbury. They have operation days were a 24 hour day is condensed into a 8 hour day on the layout. This club is one to watch. More on this club shortly...George Dutka
Sunday 26 March 2023
B&M 1102
A closer look at the weathering and engine black fading that was applied to a B&M HH 600/660 an Atlas model. |
This Atlas model is a great running little switcher. |
Saturday 25 March 2023
BEST White Haven Shed - a hint of paint?
I decided to bring back my most recent project to the workbench to add a hint of paint. |
Friday 24 March 2023
Kitchener Train Show
Otter Valley Railroad had a display of their new trash cars. |
I am working on Nate's Batteries. I got the basic assembly together at the show. This is a FOS Facebook image of the model. |
Steve works on an ITLA tower at Kitchener. |
Thursday 23 March 2023
Throwback Thursday - Grey Cup 100 Tour
Via 6445 and its train visited Sarnia on Nov. 03, 2012. |
A Sarnia team had twice won the national championship in 1934 and 1936. |
Wednesday 22 March 2023
Tuesday 21 March 2023
BEST - White Haven Shed Part Two
The completed shed with three coats of stain and a few AK washes applied. The shingles are not included in the kit. I had leftover BEST shingles in a green tone. |
A bit of powder weathering is added around the windows and eves. Bragdon dark rust is the tone on the roof seams. |
Monday 20 March 2023
Rod Stewart at ITLA
Nick of ITLA with Rod Stewart at the ITLA head office. |
Since then Nick has traveled to London, England, I believe in December to take in another one of Rod's concerts and to visit his home layout. Rod has a number of homes, two in the US (Florida and California) and I believe there is a second layout in one....George Dutka
Saturday 18 March 2023
Prototype Corner - The Rapido Bus
Most of us are familiar with the high quality models of North American locomotives and rolling stock produced by Rapido Trains, Inc. Over the last several years they have also produced models of GM buses, models based on the prototype bus owned by the company. In this photo it is on display at the Greater Toronto Train Show in the Brampton area. For a related view, see the post of June 29, 2018.
Friday 17 March 2023
MEC Style Section House
My MEC style section shed that is located just outside the WRJ yard. |
It was a nice little kit that came with Northeastern slate shingles. I think the next one will have worn tarpaper roofing. |
Thursday 16 March 2023
Throwback Thursday - Rear View
Via 6436 is sitting west of the station at Jasper, Alberta on July 10, 2006. |
Wednesday 15 March 2023
Monday 13 March 2023
Sunday 12 March 2023
Sunset Motel - Office
A little better look at the office which was the first of the three structures I completed...George Dutka
I added a bit of extra detailing that is not included in the kit. There is a nice selection of signs though that really work well. |
I leaned a few of the extra signs along the base of the buildings mainly to hide the tab construction locations. |
The roof is weathered with AK road asphalt powders. |
The pop cooler is a build up that one needs to play around with. The Coke sign is from my stock of signs. I weathered this structure a bit more than the other two. |
Saturday 11 March 2023
BEST - White Haven Shed
The finished BEST model with a tarpaper roof applied. |
I built this "Just the Basics" kit which took no time at all. The stain and painting took longer than the actual construction....George Dutka
MIG Rail Center "Buff" which is actually suppose to be the gold for the CNR green and gold paint scheme is not the proper color for on an engine, but good for other projects. |
AK rainmarks is steaked down the walls as a wash. Streaking grime and AK slimy grime dark are also applied. |
Friday 10 March 2023
Diner in Palmer, Ma.
The interior was interesting too see and I should have taken a photo with my phone, next time. |
The diner is located just across the street from the Palmer library which has a railroad room full of railway photos and books...well worth a visit. |
Thursday 9 March 2023
Sunset Motel
There are three structures included in the kit and a nice looking sign. |
All the coloring on this structure was done using MIG products. The construction is tab and slot which did not need additional reinforcement. |
I had switched out the printed roof shingles for tarpaper. I did not feel the shingles looked very realistic. Some old signs, papers and weeds finish off the detailing. |
Wednesday 8 March 2023
Tuesday 7 March 2023
Otter Valley Buisness Card
My Otter Valley hobby shop order included their new business card that is a laser cut metal one with a wheel and track gauge built into it...George Dutka
Monday 6 March 2023
Ghost Railbox ABOX50026
The weathering I applied was lightly done. The patchwork and fading is part of Athearn Grime series. |
This Athearn 50' boxcar with combination doors is part of their "Gime" series. The car has some patchwork done plus fading. I gave the car a coat of Model Master clear. The roof recived a coat of India ink and alcohol which gave it a oxidized look. I then added some AK rust steak and Vallejo rust texture marks. A light coat of PanPastel Raw Umber Shade is then applied.
On only one side I appled AK pencil marks on the side ribs. On both sides I used the pencil gun metal on the grabs and stirrups...George Dutka
The car looks pretty clean with most of the weathering on the roof. |
Sunday 5 March 2023
What's in the Box No. 53
Here is what came in the box. One supplies their own roofing cover. There are two helpful booklet that can get you motivated to begin. |
Not a lot to it but can be modified...just a bit of creativity can change it around. |