CPR RS18u #1821

Here we have a real relic. A "Fletch-co" shell on an Atlas RS11 chassis.  This unit was built about a decade ago, and has proven to be my most reliable unit. 

I love it.

This unit was assigned to Smith's Falls, Ontario. It would usually run the local freight to Ottawa and Gatineau, PQ.  Almost poetically, the unit was retired at the same time that the Prescott Subdivision was abandoned.

Miniatures by Eric lost-wax brass castings were used for the horn, bell, headlight and ditch light castings.  The antennae is a pewter item manufactured by Juneco models.  MV lenses were used for all lights. I really enjoy the way they "twinkle" in natural light.  Also, I'm not a huge fan of lighting effects on my models.  Call me "old fashioned," I don't mind.

The fuel tank was scratchbuilt, using styrene, NBW castings and a fuel filler from High Tech Details.  The handrail stanchions from the Atlas model were cut away from the oversized railings.  They were drilled out with a #78 bit and hand-formed wire railings were threaded through. The result is nearly-free but prototypical handrails. The speed recorder is scratchbuilt using styrene and single-stranded wire.

The model is painted with Testor's Modelflex water-based acrylic CPR Action Red and Flat black . Microscale decals were used to decorate the model.  Airbrushing for the exhaust soot, dilute wash india-ink for carbody oil stains and dry-brushing for the grime on the trucks give this unit a truly "beat up" demeanour.