Candian Pacific S-2 Switcher





CPR S-2 7097 crosses the newly installed bridge en route to White River Jct ...  photos by Don Janes

  

 A New CPR S-2 For The Green Mountain Division...by Don Janes

     The Canadian Pacific Ry. had a strong presence through New England and Vermont in particular during my era the 1950s. Sinc I model New England and have a few CPR locomotives already I decided to add a CP S-2 to my roster.  To help complete dieselization on the Wells River line the CPR ordered three Alco S-2 switchers from ALCO in Schenectady, NY.  Purchased in Aug. 1949, these were the last three S-2 units built for CP and the only Alco S-2's owned by CP to be assigned to the USA.  They were numbered 7096, 7097 and 7098.

   I recently purchased a Bachmann Alco S-2 switcher with Soundtaxx sound from Micro Mark during their Cyber Monday sale at what I considered a great price.  Since they don't make an undecorated model I decided on a B&O model figuring it had the least amount of lettering to remove when it came time to repaint it CPR.   







This is a photo of the unit as it looked when I purchased it...Bachmann ad photo

         Having stripped and painted a couple of other Bachmann engines I knew that 99% Rubbing Alcohol was a good paint stripper  for these shells so I submerged the plastic cab and body into a container of rubbing alcohol for several hours.  A little scrubbing with an old toothbrush took off all the factory paint.  Unfortunately, while taking all the handrails off I broke one of the side handrail sections and one cab step railing.  As I have done in the past, I decided to use brass Smokey Valley handrail stanchions and end brackets.  I had to form all new handrails from .015 phosphor bronze wire.  Since the Bachmann models don't come with grab irons on the side and end I decided to use Detail Associates drop grabs and NBW castings for these locations.
     Once all the handrails and stanchions were done I washed the model in warm soapy water to clean any grease and oil of the shell prior to painting.
 


This is the stripped shell with the brass handrails and stanchions soldered together and set in place.

 


One thing I really like about this model is the LED's used for the loghts.  They are attached to the chassis so there are no wires to deal with when taking the model apart.  They have a very pleasing intensity and look very natural when turned on.  The light goes bright in the direction of travel and can be dimmed with Function 7. 

 

      The shell was given a primer coat of Floquil SP Lettering Grey.  Once that was dry I airbrushed the body with CN Lines CPR Diesel Loco Grey.  This paint is produced by Scalecoat.  After the gray was dry I masked the shell and painted the body,cab and side handrails with CN Lines CPR Maroon.  The black on the frame and chassis was painted with a 50/50 mixture of Flouil Grimy and Engine Black with some Glaze added to give a sheen for decalling.  I let the paint dry thoroughly before adding the decals.  Fortunately I had a set of Accucal Decals for CPR hood units on hand so that is what I used on my model.  Since these are out of production they may be hard to find but Micro Scale has a similar set (87-92) that can be used.   Once all the decals were on I gave the engine a finish coat of Floquil Flat Finish to seal everything.




The completed body, cab, handrails and trucks.

 



 


 

 


These four shots show the finished model with all the details added.

 

After all the paint and decals were dry I added all the details and re- assembled the model.  I still need to add class lights to the front of the engine but I did not have any on hand so they are on order and will be added once I get them.
       



This new Bachmann S-2 with Soundtraxx Tsunami sound is a real winner.

I have added a parts list for anyone who might want to do a similar model.



Parts List

-Smokey Valley 111- Alco Switcher end brackets

-Smokey Valley 132- Alco switcher handrail stanchions

-Precision Scale 39072- step lights

-Precision Scale 3150- brass air hoses

-Det. Ass't. 2202- drop grab irons

-Det. Ass't. 2203- NBW castings

-Det. Ass't. 2206- wire eye bolts

-Cal Scale 190-280- brass class lights

-A-Line 29201- short windshield wipers

-KD 158- short shank cat whisker couplers

-.0125 phosphor bronze wire from Tichy

-.015 phosphor bronze wire from Tichy

-Resin re-rail frogs

-Accu Cals 5829H CPR hood unit decals

-CN Lines 110-21 CPR Diesel Loco Grey

-CN Lines 110-22 CPR Maroon

-Floquil Reefer Yellow for grab irons and handrails

-Floquil Grimy Black and Engine Black

-Floquil SP Lettering Grey for primer



B&M White River Jct. - Yard Office

I caught the WRJ to East Deerfield job departing from the White River Junction, Vermont Guilford yard, located south of the station. The old B&M yard office has not been used in years but still remains standing on May 4, 2000. The main line is found on the other side of the yard office.

The old B&M yard office is gone

On May 16, 2012 the Boston and Maine Ry yard office was finally torn down. It was located next to the main line in the old B&M yard. The yard office had not been used in decades but seemed to survive without windows and doors for all this time. It is kind of a neat structure that could work in many model yard locations. I photographed it many times over the years although I had not been down to that end of the yard in at least 10 years. I should have seen how it was holding up. I guess I thought it would always be there. I did have the sense to measure it back in the 1990's with the thought of building a model of it. At some point I just might. Well another piece of New England RR heritage is now gone...George Dutka

I took this photo on Sept 27, 1992. The awnings are still in place at that time and many of the windows. The main track is seen in the foreground.

B&M yard office at White River Jct. Vermont on May 4, 2000

Current CVRHS Ambassador



In the current Ambassador, Stephen Horsley details how he built his F&C CV milk car kit. On the White River Division we see a F&C, CV milk car  in action at my local creamery. This milk car  kit makes a great model with a little work.


I received the current Vol. 20 No. 3, CVRHS Ambassador yesterday. What a great issue. Under the leadership of Stephen Horsley each issue of the Ambassador is getting better. The main feature for this issue is the CV milk cars. Stephen really spent a ton of time researching and charting the comings and goings of the fleet. I did have an advance look at the text as he wanted someone to look it over. The milk car charts are a treat to see and great to have. He also covers modelling the CV milk car using a F&C kit. A short kit review is also included in the feature.

There also is an nice modeller's article on Central Vermont Diesel paints by Taft DeVere. He covers the options of model colours.

I was really impressed with a photo article of the Ambassador coming into White River Jct., Vermont in 1953. Stephen explains each car of the six car southbound train. The head end car is a MEC passenger baggage - smoker for starters.

To round out the issue there are four great colour photos on the two covers. Whitney Maxfield covers the development of the CV in Barre, Vt. and I cover the Gallows signal in Willimantic, Conn.

This is a quarterly one might want to consider if you are a New England fan or modeller. You can check out their web site for application forms CVRHS Home ...George Dutka

Wordless Wednesday No. 6

Bridging The Gap

A southbound Canadian Pacific freight headed by a CPR RS-3 is crossing the newly completed bridge at the north end of White River Jct....photos by Don Janes 



Adding A River Scene To The Green Mountain Division

by Don Janes

   
 Once I finished the White River Jct. yard and the North Bennington scenes in my new layout room, I tore out the old layout, my Green Mountain Division housed in a 12 x 20 space. It was now time to finish the section of my layout that would eventually connect the two rooms together. This particular spot was right where guests enter my train room. I wanted the scene to really "pop" and give a welcoming first impression.  What better scene could one ask for on a New England layout than a deck bridge spanning a river with a typical old wooden mill along the riverbank.


     The major structural components used in this scene are stone and concrete bridge abutments and piers from New England Brownstone,  NEBS Carved Model Stonework | Miniature Stonework for Scale Dioramas three Micro Engineering 50 foot deck bridges and the South River Model Works, Whitney Bent furniture factory kit.  Follow along as I show you the steps I went through to complete this scene.



 

Above is the raw bench work with the bridge installed and levelled

      The first step in this project was to plan where the bridge would go and install the abutments and piers.

Once these were in place I temporarily set the bridge in to make sure it would line up with the road bed at each end, a very important step to ensure smooth operation later.



These water based craft paints were used to colour the plaster bridge components



     To colour the plaster bridge abutments and piers I first gave them a very light wash of India Ink and alcohol to stain them.  After that I added thin washes of the water based craft paints shown above until I got them the colour I thought looked natural.  Dry brushing the edges of the stone brought out the fine details and then I weathered them with chalks.  New England Brownstone makes fabulous castings with detail like I have never seen before.  I highly recommend that you check out their products if you are planning projects requiring stone elements.

Once I got the bridge positioned I built the mill kit and determine its exact location.

Seen here the mill was built on a base of wood and foam and set in its final location.  The stone retaining walls were cast in resin so I could bend it to follow the curve of the river.



The ground contours were built up by forming a cardboard web and adding Woodland Scenics plaster cloth on top.  The backdrop is a Sceniking kit that was glued to the wall  representing a rock cut.



Once the plaster base was done I added a coat of sand over the entire area.   This acts as a "primer" to cover the plaster and acts as a base for the rest of the scenery. 







The rest of the riverbank was built in the same manner. The riverbank had to rise to a height that would hide the track in the background.



I finished the surrounding scenery using rocks, ground foam, static grass, trees and various other scenery materials.  I wanted to obscure the background tracks making  the train visible but not the right of way.



It was time now to add the water.  I used a base of  Enviro Tex clear resin. Once that dried I added six coats of Mod Podge, a clear gel that gives great texture to the river.  As a final touch I used Woodland Scenics "Water Effects" to create the foamy water around the rocks and debris.  The tips were dry brushed with white to give a foam effect. 



The crew on CV 8027 have watched the daily progress as the scene  transforms from plywood sheeting (seen in the second photo of  this post) to a very picturesque scene shown here.

A southbound CPR freight is crossing the newly completed trestle as it heads towards White River Jct.

     I hope you've enjoyed watching this river scene evolve.  I really enjoyed working on this project and trying out a few new techniques and materials.  Now its onward over the bridge and through the wall to the next phase of layout construction.

Inwood Station, Model Review

The Inwood station in B&M colours. I stopped by the Passumpsic Ry this fall and took a group of photos from Route 5 including the station, Sept 2012.

 RMC's Craftsman Product Review

Creative Laser Design's Small Flag Stop

Currently RMC has on their web site a review of Creative Laser Design's Quincy Station. The small flag stop station model is based on the restored B&M-CPR Inwood station currently located on the grounds of the Passumpsic Railroad museum in Barnet, Vt. It serves as the RR's  ticket office. You can check out their web site Passumpsic Railroad

The Inwood station was located 2.7 miles north of Barnet by rail on the Lyndonville Sub. The B&M had ownership and control of the line in the early years. In 1926 the line through Inwood was leased by the Canadian Pacific for 20 years. When the lease was about to end the CPR purchased the line in 1946. The CPR Lyndonville Sub. extends from Wells River to Newport a total of 63.7 miles.


The review was done by George Riley who built the O scale kit for his review. There is a HO scale version available. The kit includes laser cut milled basswood sheeting, card stock shingles and bass strip wood. You can check out their web site for more details http://www.creativelaserdesign.com/ ...George Dutka

White River Divison's 200th Post

I am not sure who has the right of way as I have yet to write the rule book for the White River Division. One thing for sure, neither train will be backing up. I imagine the two conductors are looking after that.  Both my cabooses are new additions to the fleet this modeling season and are from True Line Trains.

Another Mile Marker Passed

This post marks the 200th entry into this blog...sure sounds like I have had a lot to say in little over a year. I just want to thank all of you for following along and for the kind words and e-mails that has been passed along. At last count the WRD has had just over 31,000 views in 13 months.

The White River Division during this modeler's season has seen a face lift begin in a couple areas. The scene at West Barre is over a decade old and was only to have been a temporary stand in. You will see what is happening here over the next few weeks. One scenario, a barn scene, I have already posted. I have a few more changes planned for the layout once the holiday season passes.

I do have a lot I like to cover, prototype and modeling and Don Janes is working away on a post covering his new CV bridge scene which is awesome. Don mentioned having over a dozen photo to be included. Well I guess we will see were my and Don's thoughts and energy will take us...onward...George Dutka

Here we see the end of the CNR Paines Spur near St. Thomas, Ont., Dec 2012. On our layouts we would place a nail between the rails to keep our engines and rolling stock from getting away or falling off our layout. On the CNR the prototype does it a little different. It may seem silly to place a derail prior to falling off the rail, but my guess this is to do with rule violations by train crews.

Wordless Wednesday No. 5

Atlas New 40' CNR boxcar

The new Atlas kit in the foreground and a finished Branchline kit to the rear are exactly the same other than numbering and the style of the maple leaf herald.

A former Branchline kit

Atlas has released their new line of ex-Branchline AAR style 40 foot boxcars. I picked up my CNR version boxcar at Doug's Trains here in London recently. I had already built a CNR Branchline boxcar kit a few years ago so I had something to compare this new model with. Everything in the box seemed the same as in the Branchline kit including the instruction sheet which was exactly the same when I compared the two together, other than the name was changed at the top. There is a difference between the two CNR boxcars in numbering and the maple leaf herald style. The Branchline model has the tilt style "Serves all Canada" wafer used prior to 1954 in the maple leaf while the new Atlas model wears the straight style wafer which was first used in 1954.

These models are not a perfect match for the CNR fleet but reflect the cars well enough with some pretty fine details included. If you are modeling the CV like I am, you will need a lot of these CNR boxcars. I remember reading stats stating that around 1955, 50% of the boxcars handled at White River Junction on the Central Vermont Ry. were  CNR boxcars. If you don't have a ton of cash to purchase a fleet of True Line Train, prototypical correct CNR boxcars, these can be a great value substitute.

My newly finished Atlas CNR boxcar with the wafer herald applied from 1954 onward.

I built the Atlas model the same as I did my Branchline kit. Everything fit together well. I changed out the couplers with Kadee #58 scale couplers. I added a wire bleed rod, and bent wire uncoupling lever. I shaved off the molded on side grabs and replace them with Detail Associates #FC 6209 grabs. I touched up the areas showing plus the grabs with Floquil boxcar red using a fine brush. The brake wheel included in the kit is very fine. I saw no need to change it out. The roof walk is fairly thin and straight, so I also used it.

I gave the entire car a light coat of Floquil boxcar red. Some areas such as the sides got scuffed up a little. These areas got a little extra coating. Since all my other CNR boxcars are pretty clean I decided to go heavier with the Bragdon powders, especially on the roof. This boxcar including the added details was only a Saturday morning-early afternoon project...George Dutka


My finished Branchline model as lettered prior to 1954.



Pine Tree Models

A few of the trees  by Grand Central Gems are seen around Don Janes cabin on the newly finished section of the Green Mountain Division.

Great looking ready to plant trees

While on the Hamilton layout tour this fall Don and I stopped  in at a hobby shop, Just Train Crazy located in Beamsville, Ont. Don found a nice display of pine and spruce trees by Grand Central Gems www.grandcentralgems.com  For a package of 20 pine trees 4-5 inches high the price works out to about $1.00 per tree. Don purchased the 295- T1 20 piece 4-5 inch pines for $20.00. Don liked them so much once added to his layout he ordered two more packages, one spruce and one pine. I took a close look at these trees when I was over last Wednesday. I think they look great. I will pick some up the next time I am in Beamsville. As seen in the photo Don used a few pine trees just around his river edge cabin. The Grand Central trees are the taller ones. Grand Central Gems also offer smaller or larger size trees of the same quality that could work for different scale layouts...George Dutka.

Metal Storage Rack

The metal storage rack is placed on the White River Division temporally till a better location is found. The CPR caboose is a True Line trains model while the CNR box car is a new Atlas (ex-Branchline) kit  release. The NH boxcar is a AAR Branchline kit.

Laser Modeling 3

One of the free Expo 2012 kits

One of the free kits handed out to Expo registrants in Lancaster, Pa. was by Laser Modeling 3. Don and I headed there first to make sure we got our neat metal storage rack kits. Laser 3 also has some neat looking kits that you may want to check out on their web site.  Laser Modeling 3

Thursday afternoon I decided to separate the wooden parts, scrape and pit the parts followed by staining with Hunterline light gray followed by Hunterline cordovan brown. I let these dry for about an hour then glued together all the wooden parts. I doubt I put in two hours to this point including taking these photos.

The Expo brochure ad and all the kits parts.

The wooden pieces are all stained with two Hunterline stains.

Yesterday afternoon I cut the roofing into 4' widths. These I stained with Hunterline weathering mix followed with a light dusting of Bragdon weathering powders. I also weathered the frame work at the same time. The roof was glued on. I added a few weathered scraps of wood and metal to the roof as seen in the ad photos. I thought the scraps added a bit to the final appearance. Once the roof was done I added the two small leftover pieces of roofing to the rack. I had some scrap Campbell's corrugated roofing that was already painted and weathered. These are just glued in place on the racks. I also added a really weathered leftover piece that I once etched for my Hopper Models stone shed roof. A small sheet of silver paper is used as a piece of sheet metal in the bottom rack. The whole project probably took me just under 3 hours to complete over two days.

All the metal pieces are now added to the rack. The metal roof was weathered with Hunterline weathering mix and Bragdon powders.

For now I added the rack to my layout across from my barn. This is the location my section house normally is positioned. I added a few barrels and a skid to add some extra interest. The final rack location on my layout is still uncertain but for the moment it can stay were it is...George Dutka.

A close-up look at the rack while on the layout.

Wednesday Visit - Don Janes

Don operates his trains with his new NCE wireless handheld while Peter Mumby gets some video of the operations.

 Visiting the Green Mountain Route

On Wednesday Peter Mumby and I went to Sarnia to visit with Don Janes. Peter had never seen Don's Green Mountain Route so he was really looking forward to the visit. For the trip to Sarnia we followed the CNR Strathroy Sub, but did not come across any trains. Once at Don's we had our usual coffee and chat around the kitchen table including some swapping of booklets, catalogues and papers. Then it was off to run the layout. Peter spent most of the time taking video and still shots. Don and I discussed his layout plans for the expansion into the old layout room and his new CV caboose project. He is using the same CV Walthers caboose as Peter and I used, but he is scratch building the ends and underframe. He also moved the cupola back a touch. The model is looking great and he promised to share it with you shortly on the blog. Before we left we did a group shot at Don's new CV New England Brownstone trestle scene. Don will be covering this project shortly also...George Dutka

A self portrait of us in front of the  newly constructed NE Brownstone trestle. Peter is on the left, Don in the middle hiding the trestle and I am on the right...sorry guys, guess you probably wished we were not in the photo so you can see the layout...I will leave that to Don to display.

Wordless Wednesday No. 4

Swapping scenes

West Barre station is removed and the area enlarged to accept the new drop in modules. I found that I could use my barn scene that was displayed on top of my file cabinet since last winter. The finished scenery and Gatorfoam borders still need to be constructed.

Multiple scenes at West Barre

I realised when making the Gatorfoam base for West Barre that is was almost the same size as my Northeastern dairy barn display. My barn base is a touch larger. I decided to use the barn base size as my template for any structures added at West Barre which would let me also use this structure at this location.  Before a base can be set in place I had to add a wooden support underneath that was screwed to the layout framework. For this I used a couple of pieces of basswood scraps that I got last month at Mt Albert's Lumber. I will also build a box around the edges using scrap Gatorfoam so the scenery can be built up to the edge of the display bases. All this will be painted with my living room paint (my new earth colour).

I removed the section house from across the track as I decided to make this a drop in display area also. I have two section houses on my self that will fit this location nicely. I also plan on building a milk platform to be used when I add the barn or mill scenes. I think I will have many mixes available for this scene.

I was really surprised how good the scene looked when I just dropped the barn in place even without the scenery being repaired yet. I am now really motivated to get working on the other structures that will grace this space...George Dutka

The station base is test fitted. Some scenery work needs doing. I removed the section house that sat across the tracks from the station. This area will also become a drop in location as I have two different section houses already built that can be used. I also plan on building a Rutland Ry and  a B&M style milk platform to be used when the barn scene is in place.

The barn is set in place. The scenery work has yet to be done, but actually looks really good as-is at eye level.

Upgrading West Barre, Vermont

The West Barre station has the old roof and signs removed. The signs will be glued inside as part of the structures history. The brick base is seen under the station that still needs finishing and the Gatorfoam base is seen in the background.

 Station Renovations Begins

Last weekend I began renovating my West Barre, Vermont site. As I mentioned in an earlier post I plan on having multiple Gatorfoam drop-in bases that will change the look of the location. At present I have the station base completed and the station is beginning a total remodel. This station is older than I am. It was on my childhood layout and given to me by my fathers friend Bill Darling. Bill had a huge layout in his attic during the early 1960's. I remember my visits to his attic when I was probably around 6-8 years old. He gave me this old station he was not using anymore and had been sitting on his shelf for years. I had a 4 by 8 foot layout at that time. The station is made of a balsa wood frame with paper siding and trim.

In the early 1980's I refurbished the station with a thin plastic roof cover, wood siding and Grandt line windows and doors added. At that time I had read a lot of articles about building what you see and I have done that a lot to get scenes and projects finished over the years including this station. I only finished three wall as that is all that one will see. This station has been used on three different layouts or modules. Only twice did I have a name on the station. These signs I still have and am attaching to the inside of the structure as part of it's history.

The station was originally used on my HOn30 Maine two footer modules (part of the Thames Valley Railway Modular Club) and was painted in Maine RR structure colours. It was later upgraded with CV signs when used on my Randolph yard module (see Jan. 1992, RMC) and now on the White River Division. Plans are to add Northeastern slate roofing to the station, give it a coat of a dark red CV station colouring, new signs, details and a brick platform...stay tuned...George Dutka

Crow River Products - Magnet and Clam Shell Bucket

The Crow River Hayward clam shell buck and magnet are an easy build. There are instruction sheets included but everything is straight forward. All the gluing was done with Walthers Goo. What makes or breaks a model  like this is the final finish. I did not cover that in my work service car post and thought I should pass along my how-to's.

My bucket and magnet sits in Peter Mumby's TH&B work flat car.

Once built I always like to prime my casting with Floquil finishes such as grime or SP gray. These two items I primed with SP gray. A few days later I got around to the weathering process. I began by giving all the surfaces a fine mist coat of Floquil SP Lark Dark Gray by airbrush. One could use a very thin wash of the same colour. Brushing on Hunterline stains works well also. The SP colour I used is a mid range colour found between grimy black and light gray...kind of a Guilford gray, but a little darker. This toned down the bright gray and gives my powder something to grab on to. Although the finish drys fast it stays soft for at least an hour and will hold the powders nicely.

 I used only Bragdon weathering powders for this project. I began by dabbing some dark rust, then black and a bit of light rust on. I did not brush any of the dabs till I had all three applied. I then dragged my brush along all the surfaces filling all the grooves and cracks with the powders. I sometimes use my finger to work the powder on larger surfaces. Once I had the entire model covered I blew off what I could. The effect is very good at this point but I went back and highlighted some of the areas that would show more rust with a dab of the mid shade rust (there are three shades of rust in the four colour box). I again blew the excess off and set the models aside to dry. The decking of the work flats got the same attention although they did not need an undercoat to hold the powder in place on the real wood. The powder actually holds on well and stains the wood a bit. This style of weathering is very easy to do and will give even a rookie awesome results...George Dutka