January 2026 - Update

The engine came with this cool looking sign included. Now to get it onto the workbench for some weathering.

Hope your holidays were great and you have some new modeling treats to work on. I recently picked up a Rapido 44 tonner once again in a New England road name. Not much modeling was done here over the holidays as there was a lot of visiting plus I rented a cottage for my gang for the New Years week. Here are a few treats for you to look at and enjoy...George Dutka.  

Two of my covered hoppers seen on the layout. The Rutland car is a Kadee model. 

Bruce Douglas passed along this Ed Ozog shot of the Ambassador at WRJ during Sept 1960. It was a short train heading south this day.

C&C number 17 is just out of the box and on the layout for a trial run.

BEST Vetero stains are used to get the look of an old barnboard in upper part of the photo. The below board is done using stains. This was a page in the Dec 2025 RMC. Using ages barnwood, medium cherry brown, murky brown and a light dry brushing of white. 

The cover of a C&NW milk dealer guide from around 1900.

Saw this photo of Pt. Hope many winters ago. Boy that would be easy to model this day in time on your layout.

CN 906900 July 2, 1946. This car was built in 1915.

Jim Sloan modeling and photo.

Jim sent me the photo above with the following comment. "I read your blog this morning (Jan 3, 2026) as I usually do, the picture you posted from Quebec St. yard immediately made me think of this old Athearn Blue Box that has been rolling around my layout here for years and years now.