These EMD units first made an impression on me in Smith's Falls, Ont. They were repainted into the "Two Flags" CPR scheme and assigned to haul the "Iron Highway." This was the pilot project that lead to the current "Xpressway" trains being aimed at diverting truck traffic from the 401 between Montreal and Toronto. Watching these units scream out of the station, as the engineers wrung their necks in an attempt to keep on a strict schedule was impressive, to say the least.
This unit started as an undecorated Proto2000 GP38-2. Among the numerous modifications, it received, Miniatures by Eric CPR step wells, anti-climber, M.U. stands, ditch and headlight lenses, brake wheel and bell. A Cannon and Co. angled blower housing was assembled and replaced the original, rounded type.
The inertial filter screens have scratch-built framing installed. Details Associates antennae adorn the roof of the cab.
The exhaust hatches are, again, Miniatures by Eric parts. The access door ahead of the dynamic break "blister" is scratch-built from Kaslo etchings and a piece of 0.005" styrene. The horn is a brass casting by Details West, and Details Associates supplied both the winterization hatch and "Q" fan.
The roller-bearing caps are Miniature by Eric. This is a vital piece of detail, in my opinion. I love watching the caps spinning as the locomotive moves. Maybe I can engineer scale, working roller bearings someday?
The handrails and stanchions across the front anticlimber are Utah Pacific stanchions with hand-bent brass wire railings. The stock handrails, conveniently, come cast with the vertical runs as seperate pieces. The vertical runs are hand-bent brass wire attached to the stock stanchions. The paint is Tamiya Gloss Red and Testor's Semi-gloss black. The decals are Microscale. The unit was weathered with chalks, dilute airbrushing and dry-brushing. Note the patches left behind when the class lights were removed.
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