A Potash Covered Hopper

It'll just be a short post this week.  It's summer and I haven't been spending much time at the trains.  I have been working slowly on a Potash covered hopper for Brian.  I say slowly because the white artist oil paint that I've been using has sure been taking it's time drying.  Like, 2 or 3 days of drying time each time I add a little bit.

The only "before" picture I took of the covered hopper was this one below. I don't really think I've ever seen this happen before...opened the Intermountain/ box to begin weathering of this cylindrical hopper for Brian and had a bit of a surprise.Found both of the air hoses laying loose in the box, and one of the trucks had completely fallen to pieces.

Anyway, here's a couple of looks at what I've done so far to the Potash hopper.

I just used tacky glue to hold the broken truck together.  It seems to be holding at least for the time being.

I don't think I really like the graffiti too much, but it's a decal so I might just lift it off by re-wetting it and then lifting it with a soft flat brush.

That's all I've got this time.  Have a good week.

Chain Link Security Fence is in Place

I finally got the chain link fencing that I posted about here a couple of weeks ago (June 27th) in place in front of my Tri-State Paper industry along the GTW line.  I'd imagine that management at the Tri-State plant feels the place is much more secure now.

Anyway here's how things are looking as far as that little project goes.

Here's a look at the place without the fence.

The whole thing can be lifted out to be taken over to the workbench, leaving quite a gap along the backdrop

Might as well have a picture of the industry as it sits on the bench.

Still on the bench, and sorry it's so hard to see but the fence is in place.  I've dropped some scrap paper along the spur too, mostly in front of the loading doors.

So here is my Tri-State Paper industry back on the layout right where it belongs, and with a couple of boxcars in place.  I know it's pretty hard to see the fencing, but it's there.

A better up-close look and the fencing is actually visible in this picture.

And a close view from the other end of the spur.

Changing gears now to our 1:1 world, I happened to be fortunate enough to be on the platform here in Sarnia last Saturday July 12 to catch NS engine 7692, an ES40DC, leading Train 716 eastbound just after it run out of the St.Clair River Tunnel

Except for the buffer cars, the whole train was black.  On the near track, the track inspector is in his truck waiting for 716 to clear so he could continue on through the tunnel.

Have a good week everybody.

CP Cylindrical Hopper Weathered

Thought I'd just show photos of the freight car weathering project I worked on this week for Brian Smith.  Brian provided the car, but inspiration for the weathering on this one definitely came from a similar car that was done by Rob Arsenault.

Although not a copy (well maybe a bit), I offer thanks and appreciation to Rob Arsenault for this one.

I faded the whole car first, then masked off most of it and sprayed SP Red for the large patches.  Then faded the sides again, including the patches.

The walkways are done by brushing on a couple of different AK Interactive rust colours.

Walkways turned out well

B-End

The other end.

The dark streaks are Burnt Umber and Burnt Sienna

And I set the car out on the layout for a few photos too.

I like this picture the best

That's about it for now.

New Scrap Load

I bought this nice Chooch Industries cast resin scrap load for a gondola from a modeler in BC last week.

Doesn't look like much here, but some rusting will fix that.

I brushed on this assortment of AK Interactive weathering colours.  I think it looks more orange and quite a bit brighter here than it should.

I've darkened it down somewhat here by brushing on couple of applications of an India ink/alcohol mixture I keep around now.  That's a weathering technique I learned from George Dutka at his White River Division blog.

The new scrap load (bottom in the picture) along with another different Chooch Industries load that I've had for quite a while.

And so with a dirty and rusty looking scrap load in ZVBX 97337, the GTW has arrived to switch it out from the Ferrous Metals & Processing site.  Looks pretty good in the gondola.

Generally in the summer I try to post a picture or two of freighters passing by here in the St.Clair River.  This is self-unloading bulk carrier CSL Laurentien (723 feet in length), downbound from Lake Huron as it enters the river.Laurentien on its way to Becancour, Quebec on July 2, 2025.  Not sure what the freighter is carrying.

Have a good week everyone.