Throwback Thursday - Peter Mumby - GMDD London Part 1

by Keith MacCauley 

The story of the Canadian Division of EMD is fairly well known. Opened in 1949, the first locomotive delivered was T, H &B GP7 No. 71. A name change to General Motors Diesel Division (GMDD) took place in 1969. In 1989, following the implementation of Free Trade, all EMD locomotive assembly took place in southwestern Ontario. Truly a magical time. Sadly, following acquisition by Caterpillar, the London facility was later shuttered in 2012. Fortunately, London was also home to a number of talented railfans, including Peter. Some of his new EMD locomotive material as follows.

Wordless Wednesday No. 682

 

 

Bill Badger's Caboose

The following is my correspondence with Bill Badger about his CV caboose...George Dutka

I am reading your article on modeling CV cabooses. I am doing that in 1:1. Around 1977 I bought VTR #6 (CV4008) to convert into a mini house. Not long after I met my wife who had a slightly bigger house with running water, septic and electricity. I moved in with her and the caboose slowly deteriorated in the woods. Now, however, I am in the process of getting it moved down to behind our house to be my semi-retirement office. 

At the moment it is not in great shape, sadly the roof went and one side has given way. I have a guy lined up to repair it when it gets moved. I haven't decided how to paint it up but probably old CV not the orange scheme...Bill Badger

Snapshot - July 2026

The train was just about to depart but it gave me time to include Don in one of my photos. May 29, 2026.

This months snapshot is of Don's and I visiting the Springfield, Ma. station during the RPM in town. We walked over in maybe 10 minutes. Although there was not much to see other than one train departing as we arrived we waited for a bit. It appears that day a fire broke out in the station in NYC which delayed trains...George Dutka

I'm not sure if the platform is coming down or being rebuilt. But all there is at the moment is the frame.

On our walk to and from the station in Springfield we saw something of interest. Tucked into the base of the railroad bridge is a small tavern. Kind of a neat thing to model. 

A closer up view of the tavern tucked in next to the bridge. May 29, 2026.

We took a different route back to the hotel and passed this wall of painted photo related logo's. It appears that the building was once a photo shop. Hard to believe they needed 5 floors to keep supplies that today Staples keeps on one shelf.

Before and After

The before of the bus station.

I got a bunch of sorry looking structures from my friend Gary that he was not going to be able to sell from an estate he acquired. Some might work out while others will be in the trash. The bus station might have been the easiest to do   

Another before view.

The sign got dollar store black applied with the white being touched up with PanPastel white. The roof is a mix of black and gray. The walls are Anita's grey.

A gas meter and sign is applied to the side along with PanPastel raw umber shade and grey's weathering.

A sign is also added to this side with weathering streaks.

The roof got some small stacks and roof hatch along with some scraps leftover from a crew repairing the flat roof. The chimney was with the kit originally. I just repainted brick red. with black soot Bragdon powders.

CP by the Mill

A CP local heads past the grain elevators on his new contemporary module. Note the 3-D printed details in the foreground. Don has invested heavy in these. Don Janes photo.

Don Janes photographed his module with some interesting details in the foreground. He has purchased heavy from Mini Prints lately. They have some really neat stuff. I have to put in an order too soon. Oh and his models are really nicely weathered which really adds to the scene...George Dutka  

July 2026 - Update

This is an O scale structure I finished back in early spring that I picked up at a show a number of years ago for 2 bucks. It is scratch-built but without roof, paint and any details. More on it on my narrow gauge blog shortly. It is going on my new On30" shelf layout.

Well summer is here and it is sizzling here in Southwestern Ontario. I have a lot on my plate at the moment with family commitments so posts will be hit and miss some weeks. I usually get a bit of modeling done when home and the days it is really hot...so will see. 

On another note it appears the Woodstock train show will happen this fall as a flyer from Collectors Shows came out and they are also venturing into Hamilton for a fall show...George Dutka

At the Ancaster train show there was these two CN speed signs for sale...one for 20$ which I really thought I would buy till the reality set in. I have no wall space left to hang them. A number of years ago I got rid of a bunch of CN station signs and cross bucks to the Komoka Railway Museum for the same reason. I had picked them all up at work with no idea where they would work on the walls of a New England themed layout.

I picked up this Rutland Ry. brass caboose at the Ancaster train show. It is in the old mineral brown scheme. I think I might repaint it red as in the 1950's. I do have decals for the project. Not sure yet will put it on the layout for a bit first.

A view from last weekend in London of CPKC on Saturday June 27, 2026.

Zebra strips still in use at CN London East back way lead Saturday June 27, 2026

CPKC Quebec Street lead viewed by the yard office London, Ont. Sunday June 28, 2026.

ThrowBack Thursday – CN 4016/9316

 by Keith MacCauley  

Canadian National GP40’s have long been my favourite locomotive. Delivered from London in two groups (4002 – 4011 in May/June 1966 followed by 4012 – 4017 in October 1967), the 3,000 HP units were CN’s second foray into so called ‘Second Generation’ motive power following a GP35 twosome (4000/4001 delivered 8/1964). The only GMD/Canadian built GP40’s, the units were distinctive due to their below walkway split air tanks. Of note, two class members (4006 & 4013) would serve as test beds in the creation of Positive Traction Control (PTC). Following preliminary development work in the mid 1960’s, in 1971 the GP40 Guinea Pigs were rewired for over the road testing. Successful, the duo paved the way for some two hundred and seventy-eight follow up ‘Comfort Cab’ GP40-2’s. Aside from No. 4011, retired due to a wreck while on a lease to the Louisville and Nashville Railroad in 1978, the balance of the GP40 fleet would serve CN for more than three decades in a variety of roles, including passenger service. The last two delivered (4016/4017) were re-geared to 89 MPH operation in 1972 and would pinch hit on occasion in both commuter service while on lease to GO Transit as well as inter-city service for CN; subsequently VIA, following its formation. Towards the end of their CN tenure, a handful were assigned to Sarnia tunnel service, resulting in a very soiled/grimy appearance. The fifteen GP40’s would be renumbered into the 9300 series in 1981 and several would find new homes with new owners following retirement.

(Information source: Canadian National Railways Diesel Locomotives Volume Two)

CN 9316 was constructed by GMD London as CN 4016 in October of 1967. Retired in November of 1996, the unit would be rebuilt into a GP38-2 equivalent and acquired by the Roberval and Saguenay Railway as RS 65. Note the original horns location and lack of dynamic brake fan in the later photos. Note also the lower height center radiator fan.

Wordless Wednesday No. 681

 

  

PB Fry's Ingersoll, Ont.

 

I have seen this fry stand all the time when trackside in Ingersoll railfanning the CN. It is in site of the tracks, but I have never wandered over for lunch. Maybe I should after seeing they are listed as a top 10 chip location in Canada.

This is what was on line...George Dutka

What makes this a great stop? It’s not just the deluxe French fries and poutines made with locally sourced cheese curds, but the story behind its success and current owner, 23-year-old Daniel Destine. Destine, who began working at age 15 at the 1972 Airstream Land Yacht, an Ingersoll staple that had been serving chips since 1964, jumped at the chance just four years later to buy the business.

Innovative menu offerings made P.B.’s an easy pick for the authors’ list of favourite chip-truck stops. Bennett recommends Pickle Fries — “pickles on fries, with the pickle vinegar on the fries.” Road-trippers eager to pucker up will find P.B.’s just a few minutes north of the 401.

Looking towards the Fries location from the CN main line in Ingersoll, Ont. June 21 2026

Maybe a neat little location to model on a layout?

I stopped by P.B's on my way home from the Ancaster train show to give it a try. I feel their regular fries are good but not really top 10 but realized I should have gone for their signature pickle fries. June 21, 2026.

A Look at the Weathering

My Rapido boxcar was done sometime ago but I wanted to show you a few more views of how it went. I seem to have a good size modern fleet now for era changes...George Dutka

Most of the weathering was done to the roof. The products used are seen here. The car sides are kept pretty clean. 

Union Flag Station

June 10, 2025 looking north at the Union Depot between Pt. Stanley and St. Thomas Ontario on the PSTR.

The Union, Ontario flag station on the PSTR (Port Stanley Terminal Railway) is kind of a neat concrete structure that has survived through the years when most flag stations had not. Sylvan produced a model of the structure which can now be purchased at the Port Stanley station when boarding the train for a ride. It is a simple structure that is typical of Sylvan builds. I hear the PSTR sold a lot of these kits this spring with more being ordered...George Dutka

A built model on display inside the station.

What one gets in the kit. I also picked up one to build.

The station has a number of L&PS memorabilia. 

Snapshot - June 2026

A EB passes Amsterdam, NY station on the morning of May 28, 2026. There really was no sun on this day but the light was still good. It began to rain before we left.

This months snapshot is of Don Janes and I visiting Amsterdam, NY. This is a nice place to sit and watch trains at the depot with a nice view of the river when trains are not in the picture. The station was open on our visit which is a newer style of structure with washrooms available. There are a couple of nice benches to rest on right on the platform. Here is what we saw in a short visit both going and leaving the Springfield RPM...George Dutka  

The Amsterdam, NY station is a smaller structure but well kept. Note the flowers out front trackside. May 28, 2026.

There are two Amsterdam signs one can maybe get into a photo.

During the later afternoon an EB comes around the curve as the west end of the station. A nicer lit shot would be in the morning looking this way.

There are two benches on the platform. Don and I spent sometime on our way to the RPM sitting on them waiting for trains. What we got was some rain so we had to leave.

The EB Maple Leaf arrives at the station. Note the stepping boxes that are in place all the time.

Throwback Thursday - Peter Mumby Collection – Fallen Flags

by Keith MacCauley 

I came to know Peter over the years at the local Train Shows. He always had an amazing variety of kits and model railroad supplies at more than fair prices. In addition to model wares, Peter always included photo albums with prints of his own material for sale. Knowing Peter’s interest in freight cars, I would usually look through the albums before the kits. On occasion he would also bring a few pages of slides. Later on I came to know that Peter’s personal slide collection was substantial, diverse, and like many railfans, included traded material. A sampling of so called ‘Fallen Flag’ or defunct railways from his collection as follows.

BN 164

Built 4/1957 as Great Northern GN 31. Post merger, subsequently BNSF 3547; retired/sold to Burlington Junction Railway. Note the Flexicoil style trucks.

CBQ 953

Built 5/1962 by EMD. Renumbered BN 2230. One of my favourite paint schemes.

CNW 404

Built 12/1966 by Alco, renumbered CNW 4258 in 1982. Relatively fresh paint.

LN 1313

Built 8/1966 by Alco. My all time favourite design Alco diesel locomotive.

MILW 70C

Built 7/1950 by EMD. Classic A-B-B-A consist.