CPR SD90/43MAC #9120

Kato produced this HO scale unit on a limited-run basis many years ago.  I picked it up in Chicago in 2002.  It performs beautifully, and, as the CPR sidelines these relatively young units, I am happy to have an unexpected collector's item.

The prototypes of these units were produced by EMD in London, Ontario.  They were intended to be "upgradable" by the railway.  However, reliability problems led these units to be stored as "surge power" and also curtailed any further EMD purchases by the Canadian Pacific.

The model came well painted and detailed.  Having said that, Kato chose to mount the ditch lights on the pilot face.  This is incorrect for ANY SD90/43.  I replaced them with Details West deck-mounted style ditch lights.  Among other upgrades were Details West plough, M.U. and train-line hoses.  Hand-formed truck sand lines decorate the sideframes.  Lastly, a Miniatures by Eric horn sits atop the long hood.  

The unit was weathered entirely with dilute airbrush sprays.  The unit was made to look "new" as my operating era ends shortly after their delivery to the C.P.R.

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. 

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.