CPR M630 #4562

This is a (lovely) Overland Models aM630.

It is factory painted beautifully, but much too cleanly.

A dear friend bought this for himself and asked me to weather.  

It was weathered to match photos of the unit in it's last year of operation, around 1993.

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.

ST. L&H SD40-2 #5614

]Here we have an Athearn SD40-2, riding on a dummy Chassis. 

Another throwback to my many trips to Montreal, QC. This unit was adorned with CPR's stylish ST.L&H logo.  

The St. Lawrence and Hudson was more a practice in creative accounting for the CPR than it was a real railroad. Trackage east of Toronto was marketed as the St. L&H for about a decade, with a handful of SD40s and GP9s being repainted.  Is it just me, or is this paint job far more eye-catching than the awkward "dual flags" scheme?

This project has been an experiment for me.  The unit was fully painted and weathered some 6 years ago.  At the time it sported minimal details with Athearn stanchions.  Incrementally, I have added Smokey Valley stanchions, full pilot details, (MU and train-line hoses, coupler cut bars, and coupler pockets.)

The most visually appealing upgrade has been the Details Associates etched fan tops.  I carefully drilled out the original fans, installed the etched tops and then inserted fan blades from underneath.  You can almost imagine the fans spinning as the model passes by.

Miniatures by Eric Canadian steps and horn do just the trick to make this model look authentic.  Future plans include upgrading the chassis with a powered Overland drive I've been hanging onto for years.  I can't wait to see this unit "bouncing" down the rails.

Testor's Acrylic water-based "Italian Red" and "Flat black" are the only paints needed to coat this model. The decals are a "mini set" produced by Microscale.

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.

CPR SD40-2F #9020 "Red Barn"

This is a Kaslo/Southern Alberta Rail shell riding on a Kato SD40-2 drive system.

This unit is adorned with Details West parts, with the exception of the MU stand (Miniatures by Eric,) and the bell. (Kato gong on the kit-provided bell mount.) 

The trucks were modified by having the Hyatt bearing caps removed and replaced with Smokey Valley roller bearing caps.  The shock absopers were pillaged from my parts bin.  I believe they are from a GE U33C siderframe parts fret, or from a HTCR sideframe kit. 

The steps, cut into the fuel tank, come provided by Kaslo with the shell. Using the Kato chassis allowed them to be installed with ZERO milling to the chassis.  Just cut-n-fill!



Paints are Acrylic water-based tints from Badger and Trueline Trains.  Decals are by Microscale and weathering was accomplished using chalks and diluted washes.

These units were the last CP Rail locomotives delivered in "Action Red," which is noteworthy.  Their polished brass bells alluded to their status among the (at times) shabby CPR fleet SD fleet.  "Pride of the service," until the AC4400s started arriving. Luckily, I still spy them in service on the mainline in Eastern Ontario.  Having said that, the fuel-guzzling 16-645 is destined for storage before too long.  The new "GEVOs" can save CPR thousands of gallons of fuel per year, per unit.  The Red Barn, and it's tricloptic gaze will always be the pride of my fleet.

CN C44-9W #2650 "Teardrop"

This is a Kato C44-9W shell and chassis with a Kaslo "Teardrop" cab added to match photos of this CN unit, #2650, taken in Montreal, PQ. 

 Modifications to the unit include re-arrangement of the amount and placement of shock absorpers on the Hi-Ad trucks, addition of the oil retention tank to the af-portion of the brakeman's side of the fuel tank, and modifying the mounting straps for the air tanks on the engineer's side, to represent an "underslung" arrangement.

A miniatures by Eric horn and antennae decorate the roof of the unit. Cannon and Co. fuel tank fittings with custom-made brackets adorn both sides of the fuel tank.   A custom-made rear pilot was fashioned from styrene stock, using a mill file.  

 

Kaslo anticlimbers and ditch lights adorn each end of this unit. Hand-formed coupler cut bars were secured to the pilot faces with Details Associates brackets.  The speed recorder is a beautiful item produced by Details West in white metal.  The cable is single-stranded wire, cut to length.

Last, (but not least,) A-Line windshield wipers were installed after the unit was painted with Trueline Trains Acrylic water-based paints.  Decals are by Microscale.

CNR SD60F # 5512

This unit is built from a Kaslo kit, riding on a Life-Like/Proto 2000 SD60 drive.

Once again, the Kaslo kit came with virtually everything needed to complete the unit. I opted for Details West plough.  MU hoses and  trainline hoses are Detail Associates items.  Smokey Valley supplied the stanchions.  This time, however, I used the stainless steel etched wipers and I'm most pleased with their fidelity.

Sadly, CN has sidelined the SD50F and it appears that the SD60Fs days are coming to a close.  Personally, I associate these cowl units with "modern" Canadian railroading, and I will be sad to see them gone.

The Kaslo kit comes with etched window frames.  This allows for excellent detail and flush-mounted windows.  Did I mention the kits come with pre-cut clear acetate for the windows?  They do!

I opted to use Train Station Products Q-fans, and Miniatures by Eric 3-chime horn.  Gotta love CNR's paint job- It only looks tattered when the red/orange fades or chips. 

 For a time, (1984-1989,) CNR bought "Draper Taper" wide-cowl units exclusively.  They acquired SD50Fs, SD60Fs, Bombardier HR616s and GE C40-8ms.  The crew's complaints about poor sight-lines is the likely reason the Draper was phased out with the order for the SD70i and C44-9WL.

CNR GP9rm # 7052 and #4121

This unit is built from a CMLW/Kaslo resin shell, sitting on Life-Like/Proto2000 GP9 drive.  The shell kit comes with all the detail parts, (both resin and etched steel,) and options to build any 36" fan variant of the Pte. St. Charles-rebuilt GP9RM, of which CNR rosters dozens.

I opted to add Details West 

ploughs, MU hoses, Cal-Scale trainline hose and Details Associates MU stands.  A-Line wipers are a must if you want the scale model to appear "bulky" as it does in real life.  Although the Kaslo kit comes with a complete set of etched-bronze stanchions, I opted to use Smokey Valley stanchions instead.  Note the coupler cut bar and bracket- both etched details that came with the kit.  Beautiful.

Kaslo also produces the correct sized and shaped fuel tank for the CNR-rebuilt units, which comes with the sight glass.  The air tanks are from the stock chassis.  The air tank air trap system was scratchbuilt out of single-stranded wire, brass and plastic stock.  

The second unit, #4121, has some minor detail variations.  Of course, it also has a vastly different paint scheme.  The zebra stripes denote this GP9RM as a road unit.  The noodle is used on yard units. The major detail variation on this unit would be the 48" cooling fans, as opposed to the 36" fan found on #7052.  Minor variances include different ditchlights, (courtesy of Miniatures by Eric.)

This unit was painted and weathered to match #4121 as it was seen this past February in Ste. Hyacinthe, PQ.  Time hasn't treated it too well, but the challenge to re-create it's fatigue was a great opportunity.

 

Of personal note- #4121 was the subject of my first "railfanning" shots, in earnest.  It was the Ottawa Walkley Rd. yard switcher for years.