Wisconsin Central SD45 #6605

Having been in a business agreement with CNR since 1996, the Wisconsin Central was bought by the CNR in 2001, along with the Illinois Central.  Though 2001 would be at the very end of my operating era, it is possible to find mixed WC/CN lashups in the mid-90s.  Spying one of these behemoths in the picturesque countryside of Wisconsin in mid 2001, I knew I'd have to have one of my own... in 1/87th scale.

The heritage of this unit is unmistakably AT&SF, with it's assortment of antennae decks on the cab roof, along with the distinctive horn placement.  Having snapped photos of this unit in the mid-90s, it hadn't gone "under the knife" at MK Rail.  This is evident from the Flex-ix-oil trucks with low-slung brake cylinders.

The remnants of a 3-pane, all-weather window is evident on either side of the cab, but in unique ways.  The engineer's side was fabricated from 2 Detail Associates frames, spliced together.  The fireman's side was made using styrene stock and pounce wheel.  The antenna plates were scratch-built with styrene and brass stock.

The head-end of the unit sports the usual pilot face details from Details Associates, (M.U. hoses, ditch lights and coupler-lift bars,) Details West, (train line hose and headlight casting.)  The wipers are by A-line, and the plough was a re-shaped Atlas product.

The flex-i-coil sideframes sport scratch-built speed recorders.  This was done with styrene stock and single-stranded wire.  The conduits across the sideframes were made using the metal wire inside the single-stranded electrical wire.   Sand lines were made using 24 gauge electrical wire insulation.

The usual array of eyelets adorn the roof of the unit.  Future upgrades for the unit include the installation of see-through fan grilles with blades.  Revised handrails would very much improve the appearance of this project.  Note the A-Line etched steps.  The unit was painted with Testor's Polly Scale WC Maroon acrylic paint.  The yellow, along with the lettering is Microscale Decals.  Weathering is the usual array of chalks, dilute airbrush washes and dry-brushing.