CPR C424 #4237

This is an Atlas Classic C424.

 This unit is painted and weather to match photos taken in Smith's Fall, Ont.  I captured this unit and #4210 switching the yard in summer 1998.  They will always have a special spot in my rail-fan heart. They were actually the last 2 C424s in regular service on the CP system.  #4237 is now beautifully preserved at the Canadian Railway Museum in Delson, PQ.

The unit came surprisingly-well made by Atlas.  The cab steps, side sills, fuel tank and long hood end were all perfectly matched to CPR specs.  Even the sand filler hatches were correct! In fact, the only modification I had to do was install the quartet of inertial filter grilles, located behind the cab on the long hood.  They are miniatures by eric parts with K&S etched brass lattice appliques.

The pilots are Kaslo items.  Ditch lights and bell  are courtesy of Miniatures by Eric.  The antenna, MU and trainline hoses are Details West products.  The speed recorders were fashioned from styrene and single-stranded electrical wire.  A-line plastic wipers

Badger acrylic water-based Model-Flex paints, along with chalks and dry-brushed acrylics finish off this MLW-built unit.

CPR AC4400CW #8530

This is an Athearn "RTR" AC4400CW with factory-applied paint.

This unit represents one of the undreds of new G.E.s on the CPR and former Soo Line system in North America.  It seems it's hard to not see one in a day of CPR railfanning.  Their imposing dimensions, Alco-like chuffing and handsome paint job made these units an instant hit, with me.  The only down-side to their appearance on CPR property is the sidelining of the venerable, (and now vulnerable,) SD40-2s. 

The various sand and brake lines were added, along with a speed recorder fashioned from styrene and single-stranded wire.  Also, the rear sand filler hatch recess was filled, with the sand filler hatch moved to the top of the carbody.  (This is not standard for all of CP's GEs.  Some still sport the recessed style.) Hand-formed coupler lift bars were attached to the pilot faces with Details Associates brackets.

The addition of a Details West horn, antennae, ditch lights, MU hoses and plough compliment and already superbly executed model. 

Dry-brushed grilles and airbrushed soot and dirt bring that "hard-working" look to this unit, now the backbone of the CP Rail system.  Surprisingly, no additional decals were needed.  Even the builder's plate came applied, from Athearn.  Well done!

CP SD40M-2 #5496.

This is a kitbashed Kato SD45.

These units were rebuilt by Morrison-Knudsen in the mid-90’s, with 16-645s rated at 3,000hp.  They were rebuilt from SD45s from such noteworthy sources as Rio Grande.  They are favorites of mine due to their distinctive and stylish flared radiator sections.

This unit was a relatively straight-forward project, from a kitbashing point of view.  Having photos of specific units in the 5400-series is essential.  The detail variations can be numerous, even between units from the same source.  Rear numberboards, (or lack thereof, as on 5496,) is an example.  Horn style and placement can be different, as well.

Once again, this unit dates back to my MANY trips to Smith's Falls, Ont.  Being a crew change point for all trains between Montreal and points west, it was easy to get shots of any unit. 

Note the Flex-i-coil sideframes.  They have been modified with the brake rigging from an Athearn HTC sideframe.  Not an easy undertaking, I think the results speak for themselves.  Many units that were delivered with Flex-i-coils were soon converted to a standard arrangement.  The original placement of the brake cylinders, (between the bolster, under the sideframes,) proved to be a maintenance and reliability nightmare.

Paint is water-based Acrylic tints from Testors.  Italian Red seems to match CPR’s “Candy Apple Red” with aplomb.  Weathering was accomplished with chalks, dilute washes and dry brushing.  Light airbrushing was used for the exhaust soot.  Decals are from Microscale.