CNR SD60F # 5512

This unit is built from a Kaslo kit, riding on a Life-Like/Proto 2000 SD60 drive.

Once again, the Kaslo kit came with virtually everything needed to complete the unit. I opted for Details West plough.  MU hoses and  trainline hoses are Detail Associates items.  Smokey Valley supplied the stanchions.  This time, however, I used the stainless steel etched wipers and I'm most pleased with their fidelity.

Sadly, CN has sidelined the SD50F and it appears that the SD60Fs days are coming to a close.  Personally, I associate these cowl units with "modern" Canadian railroading, and I will be sad to see them gone.

The Kaslo kit comes with etched window frames.  This allows for excellent detail and flush-mounted windows.  Did I mention the kits come with pre-cut clear acetate for the windows?  They do!

I opted to use Train Station Products Q-fans, and Miniatures by Eric 3-chime horn.  Gotta love CNR's paint job- It only looks tattered when the red/orange fades or chips. 

 For a time, (1984-1989,) CNR bought "Draper Taper" wide-cowl units exclusively.  They acquired SD50Fs, SD60Fs, Bombardier HR616s and GE C40-8ms.  The crew's complaints about poor sight-lines is the likely reason the Draper was phased out with the order for the SD70i and C44-9WL.

CNR GP9rm # 7052 and #4121

This unit is built from a CMLW/Kaslo resin shell, sitting on Life-Like/Proto2000 GP9 drive.  The shell kit comes with all the detail parts, (both resin and etched steel,) and options to build any 36" fan variant of the Pte. St. Charles-rebuilt GP9RM, of which CNR rosters dozens.

I opted to add Details West 

ploughs, MU hoses, Cal-Scale trainline hose and Details Associates MU stands.  A-Line wipers are a must if you want the scale model to appear "bulky" as it does in real life.  Although the Kaslo kit comes with a complete set of etched-bronze stanchions, I opted to use Smokey Valley stanchions instead.  Note the coupler cut bar and bracket- both etched details that came with the kit.  Beautiful.

Kaslo also produces the correct sized and shaped fuel tank for the CNR-rebuilt units, which comes with the sight glass.  The air tanks are from the stock chassis.  The air tank air trap system was scratchbuilt out of single-stranded wire, brass and plastic stock.  

The second unit, #4121, has some minor detail variations.  Of course, it also has a vastly different paint scheme.  The zebra stripes denote this GP9RM as a road unit.  The noodle is used on yard units. The major detail variation on this unit would be the 48" cooling fans, as opposed to the 36" fan found on #7052.  Minor variances include different ditchlights, (courtesy of Miniatures by Eric.)

This unit was painted and weathered to match #4121 as it was seen this past February in Ste. Hyacinthe, PQ.  Time hasn't treated it too well, but the challenge to re-create it's fatigue was a great opportunity.

 

Of personal note- #4121 was the subject of my first "railfanning" shots, in earnest.  It was the Ottawa Walkley Rd. yard switcher for years.