New GP40 arrived

Right off the top here, I'll admit to feeling kind of stupid for previously referring to my SD7 locomotive project as an SD9.  Not that I know how to tell the difference from one to the other by looking at the prototype, but SD7 is stamped pretty clearly on the Proto box.

Anyway, that assembly and weathering process continues...

In other news, despite promising myself that I don't need any more engines, I received a "new" (that is new to me) GP40 this week.  I bought this one used from our friend Brian Smith.

So here's a few looks at my new CN 9303:Clean and shiny

Running on the layout for the first time.  It arrived set up really nicely for running at slow speeds, it's going to be terrific for switching.  One thing I would like to change though is to shut the sound off kind of permanently, 'cuz I really don't like the noise.  I always think that the engines with "sound" are just too tinny sounding for my liking.  The need more of a bass sound.

CN 9303 really is too clean looking though.  I suppose I'll change that soon enough.

Also, I was really happy to see George Dutka when he stopped by for a nice visit as he was passing through Sarnia recently.  George is an awesome modeler and he brought me a gift of a couple of RMC magazines that he has had articles in this year.  In the March 2026 issue, George has a real nice article on weathering roofs, and he very kindly mentioned me in the story.  

Thanks so much George.  Always so good to see you.

Have a great week out there everybody !

Some RBOX's on the Layout

Work continues (still slowly) on my SD9. Maybe more on that one next time.  In the meantime, here are a few looks at some RBOX's that have been out and about on the layout.

RBOX 31224 sitting off-spot just outside of the paper recycler.

RBOX 31856 has some sealant on the roof seams.

RBOX 31916 in a nice view of the roof

RBOX 37073.  (actually, I just sold this one)

And a couple of 60 foot ABOX cars as well...

ABOX 51114 at Tri-State Paper.

ABOX 51091 sitting on South Industrial Blvd. some time ago.

Have a good week everyone.  Spring is finally here.  Yay.

A Little SD7 Progress

Work continues on my ex-SP ex-Willamette & Pacific SD7 that the JSSX acquired.  Being an undecorated kit locomotive, I'm finding it a bit tricky doing the painting and installing the parts, but as I chip away at it progress is made.  Here's the inspiration photo of the prototype.

I know my model will not turn out exactly like the prototype (Richard Gibson photo), but hopefully it will at the least be an interesting and plausible, well-worn addition to the JSSX fleet.

Here's a few photos of my progress:

I've painted the area including the grilles in white, similar to what the W&P did. I know it looks quite stark here, but the eventual weathering will take care of that.

I tried putting the wide white stripe below the dynamic brake where the Willamette & Pacific lettering is located, but thought it looked horrible, so the JSSX has painted over the stripe with black. Maybe a shade of grey different from the body colour would be better.

As for the parts, on the roof so far I've installed 6 fans, 2 horns, the cooling piping assembly, and 13 eyebolts.

I've got the SP "wings" on the nose.  I used Microscale decals for those.  I carefully cut them out, lightly sprayed them with the grey paint that I used on the shell, and then sprayed with the same SP Scarlet that I used on the nose, and yet the colour doesn't quite match the nose.  I'll still need to paint the trucks and fuel tank in grey.

That's about it so far on the SD9.  I did some switching on the layout this week, so I thought I'd show this one picture from that.

Moscow, Camden & San Augustine boxcar spotted at the rail dock.  I don't know what they make or do in this place, but it gets kind of tricky to get the boxcar in there with a run around in the street followed by a switch back that involves pulling cars out from the neighboring industry.

Happy March Break everybody !

 

This and That

 Just going to show a few looks from around the layout

Sure appears that this one-time Gulf station has probably seen better days. I kind of kitbashed the kit by boarding up the windows, left a couple of them open, and added the graffiti scribbles.  For the roof, I cut a piece of cardstock to fit and took that piece outside to burn the hole at the back edge of it. I forget the name of the kit manufacturer, but I believe they've gone out of business.

A glimpse inside Door #2 at Tri-State Paper reveals bales of recycle paper ready to ship out.  I searched online for photos of paper bales, and printed a few out. They're pasted onto some pieces of styrene and I set them into place by the dock door before I put the roof on the building.

Here comes JSSX 815 on it's way to do some switching over on the South Industrial spur

A couple of FBOX's spotted on the South Industrial.

That undecorated SD9 that I started working on a couple of weeks ago is progressing slowly.  We can see here that I've got it painted, the 6 rooftop fans are installed, and a few of the other parts are painted and ready to install as well. I've also made up that short length of chain link fence that will go on the layout.

That'll be all for now.  Happy Daylight Savings Time everybody.