Newfane, Vt. - Depot

Kevin Smith sent me some views he took of the Newfane, Vermont depot back in 1980's. The depot is still standing and in use as a museum plus there is a kit of the station available...thanks Kevin...George Dutka  

Springfield 2024 - RPM

A weathered model by Butch Eyler. More on his models shortly.

Just a few more photos from this years RPM in Springfield that I liked...more on their NERPM website...George Dutka

Jim Dufour who models the B&M had a few models on display.

Ryan Mendell brought along his GT New England models but he also had a Sylvan 1939 Ford flatbed that looked really nice.

Chad Rancourt had on display his collection of CV models built by Armand Premo. This tool and supply car was built using an F&C 36' resin kit.

John Riddell scratch-built this 36' cook and dining car. One of his wonderful models on display.

If you read RMC you would have read about Chris Adams model that he had nicely displayed on a base that rotates.

Another one of Neil Schofield's wonderful models on display.

Free Kit #43 - Craftsman Corner

The front and rear wall are glued to the corner trim while one side wall is made of two pieces. All the walls have their edges sanded smooth. The bracing will be added later when assembly happens.

At the WOD - NMRA Craftsman Corner I participated in during the St. Thomas Elgin County Museum train show I worked on my FOS kit. It took a bit of time to figure out how the walls would all go together without instructions, but nothing difficult. Once I got going things went well. I got a lot of the basic assembly together although there was a lot of talking to all that stopped by. There is lots for me to do at the next workshop if I don't finish it before then...George Dutka

I pulled up some boards and cut the bottom row of siding to appear worn. I also added the door and window trim as they will be the same tone as the walls. The doors are all two parts which I also glued together during the show. Still lots to do.

New England 2024 - RPM

Bill Badger taking in the hands-on weathering clinic.

Don Janes and I attended this years NERPM taking two days going down and two days returning which made for a really nice trip. It has been a long time since Don and I had the chance to catch up on things so the drive seemed to pass quickly. We attended a nice amount of clinics and really enjoyed the model display. The modeling is over the top.

The vendors room was one we could not stay away from and we both purchased more than we needed. It was interesting to see first hand the many 3D printed models now available. Don purchased an all door boxcar for his 1980's shelf layout he has planned while I got the D&H wood sided end cupola caboose. It will be interesting to see how these go together. I feel this might be  the future for craftsman kit builders.

There was some deals on books, I picked up a few I always wanted and of course more BEST building kits. More on what I purchased in posts going forward and how they go  together. I am motivated to try the 3D kit.

I should mention Don and I have not been to New England together in 5 years so there was a lot of visiting happening with friends. Sorry if some of our conversations were short...it was nice to see you all. Don and I had a nice lunch with the Vermont and Massachusetts gang while during our last dinner we caught up with our friend Ian Stronach from Montreal. As it turned out our Canadian contingent were in the same restaurant so we had a nice visit with them too...George Dutka

One of Neil Schofield's wonderful engines on display.

Don purchased this 3D printed all door boxcar kit.

Don is getting the scoop on 3D from Matt.

The Yankee Flyer is an upcoming kit 3D printed.

I purchased this 3D caboose.

More examples of 3D printing.

Don also picked up two forklifts that are 3D printed. They are very nice looking.

While visiting Neil Schofield we saw his completed 3D printed forklift model.

The gang gathers for a photo taken by Don Janes. I am at the left next to Randy, Chad, Jim and Laz.

Throwback Thursday - Engineer in Training

Jon Morris was getting number 9 ready for another day’s operation outside the Elgin County Railway Museum on May 04, 2002.

By Peter Mumby. 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the April 2024 issue of Railfan and Railroad magazine which was billed as the “Canadian Steam Special.”  Of particular interest was the cover story, “Empress Returns,” by Justin Franz.  This article describes the history of Hudson locomotive CP2816 and the preparations made for this spring’s Final Spike Anniversary Steam Tour in celebration of the CPKC  merger.  A number of references were made to Jonathan J. Morris, CP’s steam operations manager, and this took me back to a time over twenty years ago when Jon was learning the basics of steam locomotive operation as a volunteer with the Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society.  SOLRS was operating ex-Essex Terminal Railway 0-6-0 number 9 out of the Elgin County Railway Museum in St. Thomas, Ontario.  Jon was a high school student at the time, and could often be found on the weekends assisting with number 9’s operation around the St. Thomas yard or on short excursions out of town.  As a local railfan photographer I was often in attendance during these operating sessions and always enjoyed visiting with Jon as he was learning his craft.

Jon is checking the water level on his locomotive on June 07, 2002. The location is Shedden on the CN CASO subdivision.

Jon is filling number 9’s water tank on August 25, 2001 in the yard at the ECRM.

Wordless Wednesday No. 580

 

  

Snapshot - June 2024...Frank Lane Catch

Not sure why they always put a telephone pole right were a railfan hates to find one. Looking under the CP bridge you can see the rise to the CN A-frame overpass, where I normally am perched railfanning in this area.

I was on my way between the dump and garden center back in May when I came across a CP EB just west of London. It was an overcast day and I did not have my camera, but had my phone. I thought I would get a view of the train from the north side since there was no sun and I did not have time anyhow to get to the other side. This is one of my favorite spots, Frank Lane. This day it was a one unit auto rack train running with a UP engine...George Dutka 

FOS - Free Kit #43

All that is included in the FOS free kit offering.

I believe this FOS free kit I got at the last Black Friday sale. It is a neat little kit with a nice selection of 3D printed details included. I began working on it at the NMRA-WOD craftsman corner a couple of weeks ago. More on it shortly...George Dutka

There is no instruction with this free kits but a drawing included really helps out since there is only one view of the completed structure. Lots of nice signs are included.

All the doors and windows are laser cut wood.

3D printed details included in the kit.

Road Trip - Railfanning

At Utica, NY a CSXT WB pulled down to the west end of the yard, cut off and headed into the yard to make a lift while we watched on Thursday morning, May 30 2021. 

Here are a few views from our trip to Springfield, Ma. on Wednesday and Thursday. We visited Mile Post Hobbies in Amsterdam but found out one of our favorite shops Mohawk Valley has closed. At Palmer the hobby shop there was also closed for the day saving us a lot of money...George Dutka

At Utica, NY we also saw a CSXT EB fly by. The speed limit through town is quite high.

A Mass Central transfer job in Palmer had a couple really clean GTW boxcars included in the cut, May 30 2024.

At the tail end of the transfer was another clean looking geep pushing. I was able to capture it with a CSXT EB at the diamond...something I normally don't see.

The NECR in Palmer had a switcher working but we found the lineup of layover engines more interesting. May 30, 2024.

GT Boom Car Roof - Weathered

The roof area is small so the project did not take much time at all. Ceramcoat rain grey is applied more as a wash followed by a coat of PanPastel raw umber shade and 

I did not do much weathering to my GT boom car when I first built it but have gone back and weathered the roof. It was a simple project that took no time at all...George Dutka 

The running boards are painted using Floquil grime then given a coat of PanPastel raw umber shade. The roof and running boards look well worn after a few short minutes of work. 

GTW Covered Hopper - Return to Milton, Vt.

 

A GTW covered hopper that at one time was assigned to the CV Milton, Vermont operation. 

I recently picked up an Athearn covered hopper that had the return to Milton markings on it. I was not aware these cars were offered, but nice to actually have. It is a nice looking model which will fit in nicely when my era is advanced...George Dutka 

Throwback Thursday - GE Railcar Services: Part Two

A string of boxcars was in the facility on October 08, 1994.

By Peter Mumby 

Back in the early 1990s there was an unfenced municipal green space adjacent to the segment of the Havelock CP yard which was used by GE Railcar Services.  This made for a convenient and safe location for observing and photographing the equipment undergoing repair.  Although at one point there was a trackmobile on site, generally all switching was handled by the local CP crews.

MSDR 19126 was receiving some attention on August 23, 1993.

NAHX 390234 had been repaired and was awaiting pickup by the CP crew on October 08, 1994.

Wordless Wednesday No. 579

 

     

May 2024 Update - Road Trip

The mill at Edwardsburg, Mi. looks colorful with a railway oriented paint job. Photo by Rich Mahaney passed along by Ken Borg

Don Janes and I decided to attend the Springfield NERPM meet on the weekend. We probably will take our time down and back and get in a few railfan locations we like. More on our trip as it unfolds...George Dutka  

Elgin County Railway Museum - Train Show

Neat to see model vendors setup next to the prototypes.

It has been a long time (I'm guessing 25 years) since St. Thomas, Ontario has had a train show, and at the museum. Years ago they hauled out their trains, running some short runs through town and all the area railways had displays on hand. Indoors there would a good selection of vendors selling memorabilia and models.

This time around the show was strictly modeling and memorabilia with the museum displays being open for us all to see and visit. Nothing has been moved outside and now there is no railroads connecting with the museum that could set up displays. I would think there was 60 tables setup which was good and a couple of operating displays to view. Our WOD - NMRA booth had three of us working on projects and the kids switching layout was in operation. I feel the day was a success with a full house and brisk sales. There will be a second show on Sept. 1st if you missed this one...George Dutka

I am back in the corner at the NMRA-WOD craftsman workshop for the day working on a FOS kit. This is actually the first modeling I had done in almost a year and also my first train show in a very long time.

The London & Pr Stanley Ry depot sign that I had never seen before was on display among the many tables setup for the day. The engines and equipment made a nice backdrop to the show.