CEFX AC440CW #1021

This is a factory-painted Kato AC4400CW, City Financial Group (CEFX) #1021.  It is equipped with full lighting and DCC-sound.

I was contracted by a client to add prototypical details, such as a new horn (Miniatures by Eric) as well as replacing the long hood handrails with Smokey Valley brass stanchions and hand-formed wire railings. 

The brake chain rigging represents my first (successfull) attempt at using scale chain links.  DURING the installation... I wanted to throw in the towel and close my business, in shame.  AFTER installation, I'm very pleased that I perservered.

While this unit was already weathered, Nadeem wasn't satisfied, craving more grime.  I used chalks and diluted paints with an airbrush to achieve the "new-but-high-mileage" look.

Elgin, Joliet & Eastern SD38-2s, #659 and 660

"The quality of Efram's work is exceptional.  I'm extremely pleased with the final product - the units look absolutely fantastic.  What was especially nice was the level of communication during the process - he kept me fully informed with regular updates on the progress of the job as well as making sure the work was done according to my specifications.  I look forward to working with Efram again!"- Dave A.

These two units represent work done for a client, Dave.  He has been gracious enough to allow them to be displayed on my blog.  Both units are beautiful recreations made by Kato, in HO scale. They came factory painted in the "as-deliverd" J-Ball scheme, sans chevrons and frame stripes.

The antennae and strobe lights adorning the roof were scratch built from styrene and wire.  The ditch lights are castings by Kaslo Shops, sitting atop of small planks made from styrene. 

Details West "weed cutter" ploughs help decorate the pilot faces.  The only other detail that did not come with the Kato model were the Cal-Scale train line hoses. 

The Kato stanchions were cut away from the stock handrails, drilled out with a #76 bit and had hand-bent, phosphor-bronze wire threaded through. Not only is this closer to scale, it is also much more resilient when being handled.

 Microscale decals were used to add the chevrons, frame striping and data to the units.  Unit #659 represents a unit in "transition," whilst #660 represents and updated paint job.  When studying prototype photos, it became apparent that the frame striping wasn't installed at the same time as the chevrons.  #660 sports the simplified white frame stripes.

Truck sand lines were formed from stripped, single-stranded electrical wire.  The unit was weathered with chalks and dry-brushed acrylic paints.

CPR MP15DC #1441

This unit  is an Atlas model with DCC sound and lights, which came decorated as you see it.  It's a beautifully executed model, but still needed some refining.  My thanks to Nadeem, (the owner of the model,) for letting me post it on my blog.

These unit came to CP Rail second hand from USSX, and each unit has varying detail differences.  As well, the units have gone through evolutionary changes along their service life.  This unit was modeled after photos taken in 2007, in Coquitlam, B.C.
To more accurately represent the prototype, the Atlas model needed to have it's roof cab overhang trimmed back, and have a front radiator grille fabricated from strip styrene.  Details West ditch lights were installed, along with Details Associates MU receptacles installed on custom mounts on the pilot faces.  A beautiful brass horn, by Details West, was painted and installed on the roof.  Lastly, a "whip" style antenna was fabricated from styrene rod and spring steel wire.

The unit was weathered lightly, as these units likely seldom see road service, (as evidenced by the prototype's lack of plough and rear-view mirrors.)  The majority of the weathering was achieved with chalks, sealed in with Testor's Acrylic flat clearcoat paint.  Rust highlights on the leaf springs and fuel tank were achieved with dry-brushed acrylic paints.

VIA Rail Canada "Home Hardware" F40PH #6429

This unit was built about a dozen years ago, and it was one of my first real attempts at custom painting and building.  I am still quite happy with the results, despite missing or incongrous details.  It was built using a Life-Like shell and heavily modified Athearn GP40 drive, with Train Station Products Blomberg M sideframes. 

Noteworthy among the extensive modifications made to the shell is the relocation of the access door beneath the exahust hatch, done by carefully removing the entire panel from the shell, dressing it and rotating it's orientation on the shell.  Tamiya body putty filled any resultant gaps. An extra vertical rib was added beneath the radiator grilles, and a new cab door, with oval window was fashioned from styrene.

A Miniatures by Eric "F40PH" detail set was obtained for this model.  This kit includes the front and rear pilot faces, MU receptacle, Pilot Plough.  
As the years have passed, small detail upgrades, including the windshield wipers and rear-view mirrors, have kept this unit looking sharp.

The cab side ladders and rear, high-mounted receptacles were scratchbuilt.  A Miniatures by Eric winterization hatch, exahust hatch and horn, Train Station Products Q-fans, Details West antenna and Details Associate lift rings adorn the roof.  I used to see these units everyday, on my way home from high school.  They are boxy, loud and look ungainly pulling LRC cars... Sounds like character to me!

Modelflex ATSF Yellow and (now out-of production) SGS decals finish this unit off.  Unlike most of my contemporary work, this unit was weathered using only an airbrush.