B&M Milk Cars #1900-1934

Builder's Photo

B&M 50' Milk Cars

The last milk cars built for the Boston and Maine Ry.

The Boston and Maine took delivery in late 1957 and early 1958 of 35 all steel replacement milk cars as older cars where being retired. These turned out to be the last milk cars ever built. They fell into two groups. 15 cars numbered 1900-1914 are mechanically refrigerated cars and are the four door version. These milk cars assignment was the Bellows Falls to Boston run for the Bellows Falls Creamery and First National Stores which sent processed milk  in glass containers. The second group, 20 cars numbering 1915-1934 are two door ice cooled models. These milk cars held 300 to 500 cans and would be used in general milk service. The milk cars came painted completely black wearing the McGinnis blue and white herald. Over the years they weathered to a dark green tone.

I was following the WRJ Glory Days train ,which was running to South Royalton. I came across an ex-B&M single door milk car while chasing the train at Sharon, Vermont Sept 12, 1998. This is were the CV transfer yard once was...George Dutka photo

Restored B&M #1920, Sept 30, 1994 at Essex, Ct.

B&M milk car #1920 truck, Sept. 1994.

The cars features included steam heat lines, air signal lines and marker brackets which I find interesting since cabooses, coaches and combines would have been still in use at the tail end of the milk carrying trains. Also during that era passenger trains were disappearing at a fast rate with may becoming Budd car only trains. By the mid 1960's many of these milk cars became storage units along the railroad as milk was being moved by trucks. Seems a shame such a new car became useless.

Two milk cars were purchased in 1989 and are preserved at The Railroad Museum of New England. They are 1910 a four door  and 1920 a two door version. B&M 1920 condition was the best of the two and became fully restored in 1992.



In my next post I will cover the simple construction of a two door version of the B&M 50' milk car...George



Unknown photographer, George Dutka collection



At Mechanicsville, NY April 22, 1990 George Dutka photo

North Walpole, NH May 15, 1996 George Dutka photo

Mechanicsville, NY May 19 1992 Warren Dodgson photo

Mechanicsville, NY May 19, 1992 Warren Dodgson photo

Building a Portal



The finished portals in HO and O scale. Peter used Driftwood weathering stain for his O scale model while I used one of the new Hunterline colours, Cordovan Brown on my HO model.



Building a Hunterline Wooden Portal

NMRA - Western Ontario Division Meet

 "Make & Take Modelling Clinic"

The WOD hosted in Ingersoll, Ont. a hands on clinic conducted by Rick and Maureen Hunter. They supplied a Hunterline wooden tunnel portal and two weathering stains to each attendant in their favourite scale. Peter Mumby and I decided to attend and learn what is involved in portal construction. I picked a HO model while Peter went with the O scale version. Rick took us through the steps of weathering and distressing the wood pieces. We then spent the morning cutting all the timbers needed to build the bracing and frame areas using the included full scale plans. There were portals being built in all scales, N, HO, S and O. One gentleman I was talking to was building a S scale portal for his On30" layout which appears to work well in that scale.

Starting from the left Rick Hunter, John Kanakos, Maureen Hunter and David Galloway discuss stain choices.

My HO scale portal in the early stages.

Peter Mumby uses his stain bottles as weights while the glue dries.

While we worked away Rick gave us a quick history of Hunterline and other products they carry. He explained how his famous stains have come to be and the best way to use them. Rick noted that Maureen is the tint master, inventing all the various weathering stain tints. She also was working on the same kit as us at the head table. This gave us a chance to look over and see what we should be doing. Rick's instructions are very good and by lunch the frame was stained and assembled. As the clinic was held in a seniors hall the seniors supplied us with a beautiful lunch not to mention the Tim Horton's donuts, cookies, tea and coffee that the WOD supplied when we first arrived in the morning.

The main structure is together and awaiting bracing on my portal model.

After lunch we got back at it cutting and staining the planking that was glued to the bracing. Some of the guys did work a lot harder than Peter and I. Some had packed up and left by 2pm with a finished model. We seemed to spend more time socialising with some of the guys we have not seen in a while. We did get the structure together by 2:30 pm. We still had the NBW casting to add and some final weathering to do when we got home. Peter and I did get together the following Monday and finished our kits. My portal will be made into a bookend style display using Gatorfoam for the base. I plan to display one of my cabooses or engines at the entrance.

I was quite surprised that one could finish a portal kit including staining and weathering in a 4 hour time frame and that includes coffee breaks and lunch...a project you might wish to try. I want to thank the WOD and in particular John Kanakos for organising the days events and also to Rick and Maureen Hunter for giving us this great hands on clinic...George Dutka

Peter Mumby and I are seen at the start of the day opening our kits. John Kanakos photo.

An overall shot viewing most of the gang that attended the hands on clinic.

The great lunch spread.

Peters O scale model at the end of the clinic.

My portal at home with the NBW casting added and painted Floquil rust. I added  additional weathering stain and chalk weathering above the portal entrance.

New England Postcard

 Boston bound CPR E-8 is seen at St. Jean, Quebec in July 1951. At this time the engine was only two years old.

 Railway Scenes 

Postcard

Peter Mumby gave me a few New England railway scene postcards from his collection a few weeks ago. They were printed by Conestoga Press in Heathcote, Ont. Canada with no details of the photographers or the company that published the cards. They are gray-yellowing which leads me to believe they are from the 1960's or early 70's at best. I have cleaned them up a little so more of the details maybe seen. Peter has other postcards from this collection that are of Canadian Railways operating in Canada. These three postcards are connected to New England and shot in Canada or very near the border. All the postcard photos date from the early 1950's...enjoy...George

Rutland Ry.  #402 is switching at Rouses Point, NY in August 1952. 

The Montreal Limited during August 1952 at Rouses Point, NY. The engine is D&H 311 a 4-8-4 Northern type.

Central Vermont Ry. Caboose #4015

CV 4015 overall view shows us it has a good coat of paint on most of the body. You can still see some of the Green Mountain green on the cupola.

 Central Vermont 4015

 Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum 2011

If you are a member of the CVRHS you will have the current issue of the Ambassador (Vol. 19 No. 3) which has a nice article about the May 2000 acquisition and movement of CV caboose #4015 by the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum.. If you are not a member but are interested in this issue I think they sell back issues to non member for a fee. CV 4015 is currently at the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum located in Massachusetts. 4015 has been restored although not yet painted or letter for the CV. The CV sold the caboose to the Green Mountain Ry and became their #41. The Green Mountain sold the caboose in the late 1970's to a private individual who displayed it for many years before the Museum acquired it. The Amherst Railway Society made a generous donation at that time which made the deal happen and saved a piece of CV history.

Last fall while rail fanning the East Deerfield, Mass. area I did a quick side trip to Shelburne so I could look at the CV caboose. I found the museum closed but the caboose on display. The following photos are from October 2011 and detail what I saw...George

I took a photo through the door window. We are looking towards the cupola end. The interior is in excellent condition. The interior is Gray and green.

Walthers Central Vermont Caboose Model

The caboose on the right is by Walthers with the True Line Trains frame and end walks. The weights have to be removed. The nice Walthers interior is seen in the foreground. On the left is the True Line Trains CNR caboose painted up for the CV which is not accurate. The roof is from the Walthers model and will be used to finish the model.

Modeling a CV Caboose

Guess What!

Walthers CV model and True Line Trains CNR caboose parts do work.

Peter Mumby and I have split a two pack of Central Vermont Maple Leaf cabooses. We took the cabooses apart anticipating rebuilding the steps with CNR Juneco parts or possibly Sylvan Scale Models brass etchings. We also would cut apart and rework the frame so they will actually operate. I found a great deal on a True Line Train CNR style caboose which is painted up CV. The True Line Trains coloring is correct, but the body style is not correct for the CV. I decided to see if the frame, trucks, ends and steps would work. To my surprise once I had the models apart they actually do fit together very nicely. So guys if you have a Walthers model lettered CV it can be an easy fix. I will post a full article once we are done with our models.

The roof from the True Line Trains model is a little wider but could work with some messing around. I am using the Walters roof, but am switching the rooftop stacks as the True Line stack is much nicer detailed. Also the cupola needs to be changed to reflect the prototype. My still in the box F&C CV kit has two cupola's included, so I am all set with cupolas. I also have a second CV True Line Trains caboose to use with my F&C CV caboose kit. This will really cut down on my under body work. Peter also has a CV cupola on hand. 

So stay tuned this project is well underway...George

Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum

The roundhouse in Willimantic, Ct. is built on the old footings of the original NH structure in 2000. Since then the group has been very busy restoring and upgrading the grounds of the museum.

 

The Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum

 Fall 2011 Visit

CV caboose 4029 is seen with plywood siding.

Last fall I visited the Connecticut Eastern museum located in Willimantic, Ct. The main reason for my stop was the CV cabooses in their collection. I wanted to take a close look at CV #4052 as I am building a model of this series.  Both of the CV cabooses I found tucked inside the roundhouse which left little room to manoeuvre for photos. It was nice to see the volunteers hard at work residing 4052. The original siding had been removed from both sides, and a lot of the interior flooring was also removed as work was being done on the frame. The end door was off and partly burned as someone at one point had started a fire inside. CV 4029 was in the next bay with plywood sheathing and awaiting its turn to be refurbished.

CV 4052 has all the original siding removed and a good amount of replacements have been already added.

Outside there was one CV outside braced boxcar in good condition and a CV flat. The string of equipment that ran down the side of the roundhouse was interesting to see but much of it was covered over to save it from the weather. Many of the pieces are NH but at the very end to my surprised was a wood sided Soo Line caboose. Also in the lineup is CV 8081. It is now in the black and white scheme with no indications of the green it once had. Speaking to CVRHS member Alan Irwin a few days after my visit, he mentioned the green paint was of poor quality and was peeling off. He thinks it just all flaked and peeled off through the years, maybe with a little help from the museum crew. I did get inside the 8081 and talk to the museum worker who was in the process of rewired. He mentioned working on it for a few years now. CV 8081 currently is not running but the hopes are bright for the future.

Below you will see a small group of photos documenting some of the equipment I saw on my visit. It was hard to choose which ones to share with you, so sorry if some of your favourite pieces are not seen.

On a final note back in the 1990's while I was the editor of the Central Vermont Railway Historical Society, I was invited to attend one of the early meetings, when this group was just starting out. The group was established in 1991 and currently has over 200 members. I did attend and was really impressed in the vision and focus they had. I also felt humbled that they looked for input from me and other members of the railroad historical groups that operated through Willimantic...George

A museum works endures many hours of wiring during the past few years inside the electrical cabinet of CV 8081

The last version of the Budd cars.

Ex-NH switcher

The last car in a long string of equipment is a Soo Line caboose.

All the bays are full and a lot is happening the day I visited the museum site. The group appears to have a very good volunteer base that comes out regularly.

Willimantic, Ct. Turntable

Willimantic, Ct. Oct. 2011

Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum

Armstrong Turntable

The handle which works the turntable with ease.

During my road trip to New England last October I visited the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum. I was given a quick tour then set free to roam the ground and take photos. At the turntable which is an Armstrong 60' replacement of the original, I took the following photos. It had been years since I last visited this site. At that time only the stone footings from the original turntable remained. Since then the Museum found, and installed a replacement which was an exact fit. The guide mentioned the difference was an inch or two. What a stoke of luck for this group to find a usable piece considering it probably has been laying around in the weather for decades.

Interviews done by the group with local residents indicated that the original Willimantic, Ct. roundhouse turntable which was 60' long had been removed and scrapped at the beginning of World War II.


The Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum found a turntable similar to the original unused in South Carver, Mass. The museum negotiated a price of $10,000 with the owner which also included delivery back in 1994. The replacement turntable was stored on site awaiting restoration. The museum volunteers worked on the mechanics from 2002 to 2008 when the operational Armstrong turntable was unveiled. The Boston Bridge Works Builders turntable is thought to have come from a Boston & Albany Ry. facility possibly in Dudley, Massachusetts. I was also told it may have been used in Palmer, Mass. The main point stated by members was it fit and works really well...George

Removing Rolling Stock Lettering

Pine-Sol and a Q-Tip did most of the removal but you can see my piece of 400 grit wet sandpaper that did help the process along. In this photo I have just finished with the sandpaper and will continue with the Q-Tip.

 Pine-Sol on your equipment's lettering

This past week my friend Bob Hannah dropped off a load of magazines. The February 2012 issue of Model Railroader had an interesting article by Cody Grivno that mentioned using Pine-Sol for removing printed lettering off a  Proto 2000 locomotive. I've been having problems recently getting the lettering off projects I am working on and thought I would give it a try. A small bottle of Pine-Sol currently is on sale in Home Depot (Canada) for 69 cents and well worth the investment.

I normally have used VIM on a paper towel that would be scrubbed over the lettering surface till the lettering was gone. This in the past has worked on older printed rolling stock. On today's crisp and multi coloured printing the VIM just does not work. I had been working on a fleet of Roundhouse milk cars that I have tried many different methods with poor results.

I have a Walthers REA express car that I am converting into a B&M 50' steel milk car. I gave the Pine-Sol a try. The small numbering and lettering came off well but needed a lot of pressure with a Q-Tip soaked in Pine-Sol. I did have to re-apply the Pine-Sol a few times as the area needs to stay very wet. On the larger lettering and the multi coloured areas the Pine-Sol was not doing much. I decided to use some 400 grit wet sandpaper on the wet surface to speed up the process. I used light pressure making only a few passes. The lettering and larger printed area came clean quickly. I finished the areas with a Q-Tip. The Pine-Sol must be washed off as it leaves a slime that one would not want to paint over. The car body paint was not affected by the scrubbing and sanding although it does look a little shiny.

Another problem solved...George Dutka

This is how the lettering looked after a few minutes of scrubbing with a Q-Tip. The word refrigerator is almost off but the two colour area needs a lot more scrubbing. I did speed it up with a few passes of 400 grit wet sandpaper. I then finished the job with more scrubbing with the Q-Tip.

Vermont Barns - Part Two

This huge barn is found along Route 4 in Vermont. In 2010 this property is used as a bed and breakfast inn.

Two Vermont Barns

The two barns viewed in this post I passed on road trips through Vermont. Each barn caused a U-turn and stop to get a few photos plus take in the scene. My thoughts where each could make a great looking model on a New England layout.

The big red barn Don Janes and I passed in 2010 en route from White River Junction to Rutland along Route 4. It is set in the rear of what is now a bed and breakfast inn and is very well kept. It is a huge 5 floor structure. Some of the barn features I really liked include the cupola with weather vane, the twelve panel windows and slate roofing. The barn is in great condition and should last for years. This kind of structure could be a centrepiece for a rural layout area.

We are looking at the south and west walls of the barn.

Found just off Route 14 at the outskirts of West Hartford, Vermont this weather beaten barn is the inspiration we modellers are looking for.

The weather beaten barn I came across during the fall of 2011 is at the junction of Stetson Rd. and Tigertown Rd. just off route 14 in West Hartford, Vermont. The Central Vermont main line is at the junction of these roads and in view of the barn.

The barn was once painted white but has seem most of the paint weathered off. The roof is steel with a lot or rust showing. Two cupola are seen with one having a weather vane.  There also are lighting rods along the roof line. The few venting openings are painted green. The barn is in good shape. Considering the weathering, roof line angles and two cupola this barn would make an interesting model.

In this photo you can still find some areas with white paint. This is the north and west sides of the structure.

The fork in the road and the CV main line is to my right as I took this photo. The barn is actually on a dead end road called Stetson Road.

Stay tuned for Part 3, as I do have more photos of  interesting Vermont barns to share with you...George Dutka