Snapshot - May 2024

Since it was mother's day weekend the train was full using two RDC cars as coaches along with an actual coach in the middle, May 11, 2024

Our NMRA division visited St Jacob's last weekend for a train ride on the Waterloo Central. Our AGM meeting was held in one of the cabooses in the yard. Although it was overcast the whole time at least it did not rain till after we left...George Dutka   

This train normally runs with one RDC but mothers ride free on Mother's day weekend and a big crowd was on board. 

Some of you might recognize this guy giving us the thumbs up...that's CP Woodstock modeler Bob Fallowfield who is the current general manager on the Waterloo Central Railway and who set up our train ride and visit to the shops. Thanks Bob. Bob wears many hats on the railroad, he was sweeping the platform when we arrived and also works as train crew when required, engineman or trainman.

Newfane, Vt. Station - Banta Modelworks

If you are a New England Modeler this might be something for you. Banta Modelworks has a new structure out of the CV Newfane, Vt. station in HO scale. It appears to be a nice structure which uses all wood for construction. Newfane still stands today too if you want to check out the prototype...George Dutka  

Throwback Thursday - Early OSR Power

OSR 501 was resting at CP Quebec St yard in London before being delivered to its new owner.

By Peter Mumby.  

Ontario Southland Railway began its existence in 1994 as a provider of industrial switching on a contract basis.  It originally owned two General Motors yard locomotives which it operated at a Petro Canada refinery in Clarkson, Ontario.  When the company later won the contract to operate the Guelph Junction Railway, additional locomotives were required.  MLW S-13 number 501 was one such unit.  Built in January 1959 as PGE 1001, it later operated as BCOL 501 and GWWD 501 before heading east to work for OSR. 

This portrait of OSR 501 was exposed on April 29, 1995.

WRD Rebuild - 2016

Under construction. The WRD got a facelift and change to point to point operations. Some locations can be seen were drop in dioramas will fit.

During my WRD rebuild I took a few photos along the way. This one shows the plaster work done on the peninsula and the WRJ yard area that was changed...George Dutka       

Worn Out or just Worn?

 

 The local power here in London, Ontario is not always the best looking units in the fleet but do get the job done. April 4 2024. Many of these units are ones that would make great weathered models that sure would get visitors attention...George Dutka    

West Hopkinton Station Update

The chimney was pushed into the structure so most of the brick is hidden. 

I did not like the height of the chimney when I first built this small station. The chimney is large and showing too much brick and height, it just did not look right to me for such a small structure...George Dutka  

The chimney height when first built.

Pillsbury Covered Hopper

 

A good looking view of GACX 43322  built 3-61 leased to Pillsbury. It is in Calgary, Alberta. The photo was taken on Nov 11, 1968.  Bob Bowes collection...George Dutka   

Throwback Thursday: Promotional Survivor - Part Two

CN 283032 was photographed at Belleville, Ontario on July 25, 1993.

By Peter Mumby.

On July 03, 1971, four specially decorated freight cars were on public display at the CN yard in Belleville, Ontario.  Each of these cars had one side painted and lettered to represent the type of load it was designed to carry.  The opposite side and ends were finished in the normal fashion.  The prototype photos in today’s post were also taken at Belleville, although this time insulated boxcar CN 283032 displays its appearance following 22 years on the road.

The original “Promotional Survivor” post appeared on December 10, 2020.  I decided to do a brief update after I realized that an HO decal set for this car had been produced.  This set, Prototype Model Industries H-3, included instructions to paint one car side white, but neglected to indicate specifically which side.  That is where the photo of the”A” end of the car comes in to play, making it clear that the large apple logo was painted towards the “B” (brake wheel) end of the car.  

This photo illustrates the “A” end of the insulated boxcar.

Yes, there was a decal set produced for this car!

Wordless Wednesday No. 477 - Weathered

 

    

Sheffield Farms Milk Car

 

Milk car SFCX 1049 seen here in the 1930's. From the Bob Bowes Collection. At one time F&C offered this car as a resin kit. I had built one years ago. If you search the blog you will find photos of it...George Dutka  

Weathered Walls

 

The walls are first coated with MIG rail center white followed with dry brushing of dollar store acylic white which highlighted the edges of the clapboard siding.

Here is a close-up look at how the walls turned out on Big Lou's...George Dutka  

The highlighted white paint plus the AK wash for wood applied to the lower areas. Note the worn boards down low.

Diner and Dives...Maybe?

 

Are you getting hungry this is my version of Diner and Dives that I built last summer...all offered by FOS one as free kit, a kit-of-the-month and one from their regular stock. Thought I would group a few for a fun view...George Dutka