The Skally Line

Rush City Redo Part 7

2012-02-12T08:05:00.000-08:00

I wish I had some super great photograph to share this week, but I don't. Most of the progress has been under the benchwork. The track wiring is done, and the frogs have all been wired to the Tortoises. I had one mysterious dead spot that I quickly ran another feeder to. Thankfully I used my multimeter to check everything as I progressed. I had accidentally gotten a couple of my feeders backwards and the testing let me realize the error before they were attached to the bus wires. I put in the first two stationary decoders and have two more to install. Main line ballast is done on the south half and I'm hoping to have the north half ballasted this week.

As an afternoon update, I ran MNNR 1978 from one end of the Rush City main to the other, no shorts, only dirty track to overcome. I have some work ahead of me but the end is in sight. I also got the third stationary decoder in place for the Tortoises. I just need to pick up one more DS52 so I can get power to every turnout. Once I have all the decoders installed I will program them all.

ILSX 1349

2012-01-28T09:51:00.000-08:00

Another chopped nose Geep has made it's way over to the Skally Line. ILSX GP9 1349 (ex-AMTX GP10 768) had been lashed up to ILSX GP10 1418. The two will be used in switching duties at the Rush City Yard.

ILSX 1349 is an Atlas GP9 I had to do some major reworking to. Most notably are the Farr air filters I made from styrene and the chopped nose. I also had to shave some doors and louvers to match the prototype. I used BLMA louvers, cut levers, mu cables, airline and grab irons. I shortened the front battery boxes and used Gold Medal Models parts wire to replace the handrails. The plow is an Atlas piece and the airhorn is a modified Kato 3 chime. The frame skirting has also bee modified to match the prototype. The wipers and lift rings are Trainworx pieces. The paint was Santa Fe Silver and Engine Black. The decals were all Microscale. The Firecracker antenna is a Miniatures by Eric part.

As for my personal challenge I am still four engines away from my goal and I won't have time to finish them before the end of the month. I did finish 10 and I'm pretty happy about that. On the bench right now are the high nose GP30, a chopped nose SD9 (ILSX 1399) and the two SCXY Geeps. There is still a CN RDC I'm working on as well as a pair of BN F45s I need to paint up. So many projects...

Rush City Redo Part 6

2012-01-22T09:45:00.000-08:00

The track was painted, frogs wired and all the tortoises are installed. Ground cover has started, my friend HK came over last weekend and we got some serious progress made. A little bit of shaping on the south half of the set, followed by paint and ground cover. Some ballast found its way to the track. I use Smith and Sons on the Main, Woodland Scenics on the sidings and Z scale Highball ballast for Class 5 areas. The roads have started, I use .020" syrene sheet with some Rustoleum black. Once I have them glued in place they will get weathered up with a spray of diluted L&N grey. Once I fill in the bare spots tree planting will begin. I also need to get a pair of NJ crossing gates as both of the roads will have working gates at some point.

Looking North

Service Road to the South Switch

Looking South

Rush City Redo Part 5

2012-01-08T16:01:00.000-08:00

Progress has been made. All the track is now laid through Rush City. I started to fill in the ties tonight. If I can get that done tomorrow I'll try to get the track spray painted later this week. I've already started installing Tortoise machines under the benchwork, 4 down, 4 to go.

This is the view from the South end towards Horizon Mill. The Federated Co-op siding is just out of frame at the bottom of the shot.

This is the view from the North end looking at the other side of the Mill. From this angle it is hard to see the siding for the Federated Co-op (12 feet away). Cutting down a pair of Atlas #10 turnouts to make the crossover was a little unnerving, but it's done now. For those that are wondering I went with a track spacing of 1.125" between the main and the siding (to the left in this shot).

One goes up, one comes down

2012-01-03T13:12:00.000-08:00

Moving forward on engine projects I've decided to work on a couple of nose jobs.
The first engine is a Southern High Hood GP30 that is being built for use on Ken B.'s Clinchfield Blue Ridge Division. This nose lift should fit be able to handle the CRR-SOU interchange in Marion pretty well when it's finished. The second is ILSX 1349, an ex-Amtrak GP9 that saw some time on the TC&W RR this year. ILSX chopped the early in 2011. I'm building the unit to have a matching chopped nose, door and louver configuration as well as those cool air filter boxes.

SCXY 50001

2012-01-03T13:08:00.000-08:00

Happy 2012! The first Skally Line Hopper in a full SCXY repaint is in the shop right now. SCXY 50001 will the the series leader on the Skally. SCXY 50002 will be right behind it. I used an Atlas 4750 hopper, upgrading the roof with Traincat etched walkways. I used undercoat gray for the paint and the decals are a mix of Microscale sets. Later I will put some BLMA trucks and some other details on. There will be additional SCXY hopper schemes coming later this year...

CN 2131

2011-12-31T08:09:00.000-08:00

For my last post of 2011 I wanted to show you CN 2131. This C40-8 was forced over to the Skally when track work on the CN caused some over sized delays. This ex-CNW unit chugged hard as she moved onto the line in Carlton. Normally we would have added one of our own units to the train to make sure they had a proper HP to tonnage ratio, but we wanted to see how the old CN unit would do. With not a horsepower to spare she made it off the line in St. Paul under her own power.This unit was an Atlas. They come with a nice amount of separately applied details, so I upgraded the Sinclair Antenna to a Miniatures by Eric piece, I added BLMA grab irons and replaced the oversized Atlas cab shades with BLMA units. One mirror is BLMA and the other is Trainworx. The cut levers, bell and speed recorder are Atlas pieces. The paint is Steam Power Black and SP Scarlett. The decals were Microscale. The rear numberboards were the narrowest I have ever done.With only 5 engines to go in my personal challenge I feel a little like Forrest Gump after running back and forth across the country. "I'm tired, I think I'll go home now." Getting these engines done has been satisfying, but tiring. Before I attack the final 5 I'm going to take a break and work on some rolling stock and layout projects. On that note, good luck in all your endeavors and may 2012 be a great year for you all!

ILSX 1384

2011-12-31T07:48:00.000-08:00

It seems Dec 31st is a good rail fanning day on the Skally. Another new arrival is pulling loads across the line today. ILSX SD9 1384 had been mated to ILSX SD9 1374. Hopefully we see another SD9 on the line withing the month to fill out our horsepower needs.ILSX 1384 is an Atlas SD9 I chopped the nose on, adding an SD26 cab. Up top it got a Miniatures by Eric Winter Hatch. I decided to try some new parts on this engine. I used Trainworx Lift Rings (they have the proper SD9 side lift rings), wipers, mirror, cut levers and MU hoses. I used a few BLMA grab irons to match the prototype. The All Weather Window is a Gold Medal Model piece. The paint was Mineral Red with PRR Buff for the yellow. The decals were from Solidesign and I installed a Digitrax DN163A0 decoder. I still need to add the safety striping on the frame sills, but I'm marking this one up as done (for now).

ILSX 201

2011-12-31T07:37:00.000-08:00

I caught 2 of the three "Blue Brothers" running a mixed freight down the Skally. ILSX SD40-2 201 was leading the way for the first time so I thought I would grab a couple pics. This is another EX-SLRG (ex-SP) unit. The Mars light was removed from the cab before ILSX took possession. I bet that would have gotten the deer jumping!This is a Kato Mid-Production SD40-2 I added Sunrise SP Lights to front and rear, I gave it BLMA cut levers, grab irons, lift rings and fans (I love see through fans). I painted the body Conrail Blue to match ILSX 1344 and 203. The trucks got a shot of silver and the rest was Engine Black. I equipped this one with a DN163K1C decoder to get the full brightness from the lights. A light weathering was done with chalks.

A Dynamic Duo

2011-12-18T08:08:00.000-08:00

The UP was utilizing its trackage rights over the Skally to run an southbound manifest to Hoffman Yard in St.Paul. What made this one interesting was the power lash-up. The UP had some NS power on the point. A pair of high hood SD40-2s were running long hood forward down the line.NS 3210 is an ex-SOU unit. I built this using a Mark 4 Design hood, MbE Sinclair antennas and bell, BLMA horns, lift rings, cut levers, mu hoses and grab irons. You'll notice the bell is on the long hood as this was forward on this unit. This SD40-2 has the earlier NS logos on the long hood.NS 1634 is an ex NW unit. This unit has already been updated into the newer "Horsehead" NS logo. This unit also uses a M4D short hood (he uses a 3D printer and prints the bell right with the nose). BLMA air horns, cut levers, mu hoses, lift rings, grab irons, cab shades and a MbE Sinclair round out the details on this unit.These units will be heading off to auction soon and hopefully be off to a good home right after new years. With these two done, I have 8 engines left to finish in my personal challenge!

Rush City Redo part 4

2011-12-04T16:00:00.000-08:00

Progress on the line has been slow. My engine building has kept me from getting too much done. I decided to make some strides this weekend in the track laying department. Here is the view from Federated Co-op toward W 4th St. then the Horizon Mill. The front of the mill is at the joint in the modules (so the building would coer part of the seam). Track is now laid through this half of the scene. I also started work on the new SCXY Corp. HQ (not pictured). Here you can see the layout of the track in Rush City. W 4th St. will cross the tracks to the left. I plan on making the crossing signals work. On the right from top to bottom are:
1) Passing siding
2) Main Line
3) Wheat unloading track
4) Flour Load Out track
5) Flour Load Out track Here is a closer look at the Mill trackage. One I get the rails flush with the end of the module I will start laying the track on the Northern module.

AVCT RR Caboose

2011-12-04T05:51:00.001-08:00

I was driving to a friends house for an Ops Session and I happened upon this caboose. Now I don't normally think to much about the cabooses I see around, but this one was different. This is a Bay Window/Cupola Caboose Lettered for AVC&T Railroad with North Shore Mining written on the side as well. The couplers are gone so I don't think it's doing any traveling anytime soon, but I thought I would share.

IAIS 602

2011-12-03T08:34:00.000-08:00

Iowa Interstate 602 ran light across the Skally this week. I did catch it on a return trip pulling a small manifest. This ex-MP GP38 sure has put on a lot of miles since it was built in October of 1966.This unit got the full detail experience. I used BLMA lift rings, fans and grills, grad irons, cut levers, wipers, fan grab iron, mu lines, an Atlas MU cable, strobe light and a MbE Sinclair antenna. The paint are Pollyscale Engine Black and TTX yellow and the decals were Microscale. With this engine done that leaves me 10 to go by the end of January in my personal challenge.

ILSX 1341

2011-11-17T14:52:00.000-08:00

The need for more power on the Skally keeps going up. We brought ILSX 1341 over from its elevator duty in Ulen, MN via the ILS shops in Holt MN, where they added a winter hatch to make this the ultimate snow machine on the Skally. This engine is a showcase of a lot of MbE parts. I used an MbE bell, snow shields, winter hatch, airhorn, front and rear headlights, BLMA lift rings, fans, cab shades, grab irons, cut levers, mu hoses, airhose, a Sandro Sinclair antenna and an Atlas plow.I'll try to get better pics later this week, but the shadows grow long on the frozen tundra...

CP 5485

2011-11-17T14:41:00.001-08:00

I love the Skally Line, the motive power that comes through can be awesome some days. Today I happened to catch the run through of CP 5485. This ex-NS high hood SD40-2 is truly one of the best looking engines I have seen in a while. The sun was out today so I took some better shots.
I used a Kato SD40-2, added a M4D tall short hood, GMM lift rings, BLMA horns, wipers, cut levers, plows and mu hoses. This one turned out so nice I'm almost temped to keep it.

Dirty, dirty hoppers

2011-10-29T07:44:00.000-07:00

As my roster of hoppers grows I decided I had better get cracking on weathering. I have been experimenting with different techniques. I read a great tutorial by Tom Mann and here is what happened when I mixed some of his ideas with some of mine...Not all my hoppers will end up in this condition, but you need to have some that show the wear and tear of time. This hopper I received from my friend HK, I put MT trucks and BLMA wheels on it. The car and trucks got a diluted spray of Roof Brown and a light application of burnt sienna for the rust. On the wheels I used a micro brush to paint the sides roof brown.

ILSX 1418

2011-10-29T07:20:00.000-07:00

ILSX GP10 1418 is out of the shop! After suffering a catastrophic prime mover failure while working on the TCWR, we brought it back to the Bethel shops and got her running again. Today the one of the Skally crews stretched the legs of the 1418 by running a fertilizer load from Hinckley down to the Peterson Mill in North Branch.The 1418 is a chopped nose shell I cast myself in resin. I made my own winter hatch to match the prototype. It has a MbE firecracker antenna and sand hatches, BLMA cut levers, wipers air horn, grab irons, lift rings, mirrors, mu hoses and air lines. The fuel tank will be swapped out for a full tank (per the prototype) when the parts arrive, but that is an easy 'after the fact' fix. 1 engine down, 13 more to go by Feb. 1st.

So many projects...

2011-10-27T03:39:00.000-07:00

As I was finishing up ILSX 1374 and as I get ready to finish ILSX 1418 I took inventory of the workbench. Currently there are 14 engines to be completed. I figured if I let everyone know that, I would motivate myself to complete them in a timely manner. ILSX GP10 1418 will debut by the end of this week, so that will take care of one unit. Here are the next 6 (in no particular order)...ILSX SD38AC 1211, NS High hood SD40-2, CN 8-40C, MILW U30C, ex-SLRG ILSX SD40-2 1201 and ex-CN ILSX SD40-3 1341.

As I progress on the pictured 6 I also hope to peg away at a few of my long term projects...

SCXY GP8 1352, SCXY GP9 1363 and ILSX SD9 1384

I also have CN RDC-1 1501 another pair of high nose SD40-2s and an IAIS GP38. Can I get them all done by the end of January and still finish Rush City Redo by January 1? Oh boy...

Rush City Redo part 3

2011-10-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

Track work has started. I finished the roadbed work (cork and wood portions) and I got the PCB ties epoxied into place. and got the first section of rail soldered down. Hopefully I can get enough track to get the majority of Rush City laid this week. It's not much, but it is progress.

ILSX 1374

2011-10-24T13:28:00.000-07:00

I caught ILSX 1374 taking a cut of empty hoppers up to Hinckley to interchange with the BNSF. We brought this engine in to help out with the expanding traffic at Horizon Milling and Petersons Mill. The venerable SD9 was brought back from the Dakota Quality Grain Co-op in Ross, ND to assist in operations on the Skally Line.This is the first unit on the Skally that wears the "official" ILSX paint scheme. It is a Soo Line inspired scheme. 1374 has been outfitted with an Atlas air horn, strobe, MbE antenna, fans, BLMA grab irons, lift rings, cut levers, air hoses and mu cables as well as GMM All-weather window and rear ladders. The decals were custom made for me by Scott Wright at Solidesign. Hopefully I'll have time to get the matching ILSX 1384 done before the end of the year.

N Scale Railroading

2011-10-23T06:30:00.000-07:00

I want to thank the staff at NSR for publishing my article on building a GP39E in the Nov/Dec issue. I'm pretty proud to have been published. It also includes John Leaders' great Marias Pass Layout (N Scale Addiction) and more of Bill Denton's amazing work (Model 160). Check out the magazine, I hope you all enjoy it!

The Tunnel Crew

2011-10-11T04:40:00.000-07:00

The SCXY car shops finished work on a Clinchfield Tunnel Ice Breaker Car. The shop boys were so excited to have it done they hooked it to ILSX 203 (one of the ILS tunnel motors) and ran the line to test it out. They came back to the shop a little depressed after they realized there are no tunnels on the Skally Line. I caught a few shots at sunset as they rolled it back to the shops. The car should be off to Clinchfield country by the end of the week.

Rush City Redo part 2

2011-10-08T18:04:00.001-07:00

Work is progressing on Rush City. I worked on the track layout tonight. It helps that I have the main part of the Horizon Mill complete. I used a stand in building for the SCXY HQ. The track will all be code 55 on the main and passing siding and I want to use code 40 to the mill. I got some of the cork started but I will use a sheet of 3/16" cork around the mill to keep the ground as flat as it is in reality. Switches between the Main Line and Passing Siding will be #10s, all the others will be #7s.
The flour loadouts on the south end of the building curve just after coming out of the building, I will try to match that in my model.

Rush City Redo part 1

2011-10-07T04:26:00.000-07:00

Some of you may remember my first attempt at modelling Rush City. The largest industry on the Skally as well as the Corporate HQ and I had the whole scene fit into 4 square feet of layout. It was time to remedy the situation. I have started building Rush City V2.0. The new scene will include the Horizon Mill, Corporate HQ (scratchbuilt new) the Masonic Temple, Federated Co-op and 2 working grade crossings. I've decided to strech the scene out so it will initially be 18" Wide and 12'-6" long with the ability to stretch the length of the passing siding to the North if needed (and it will be needed). The benchwork has already started. I will be building the Scene to FreemoN standards so I can show it publicly until I finalize the home layout design.I used 3/4" birch plywood for the frame with a 1/4" birch plywood and 1" foam top. I need to make some legs this weekend, but I hope to start laying out for the trackage and getting some cork down tonight.

MILW 5657

2011-09-10T13:25:00.000-07:00

Another fine day of vintage MN photos. To catch some MILW power running the Skally line in the day... what a blast!

I just finished a little side bar project I've been working on. I decided to try building a Milwaukee Road U30-C. I started with a Kato unit, added BLMA grab irons, plow, cut levers, mu hoses, wind deflector, a Sandro Sinclair antenna, Gold Medal All-Weather window and wipers and an Atlas strobe light. The rest is all painting and a light weathering with chalks.

ILSX 1343

2011-08-29T15:33:00.000-07:00

ILSX SD40T-2 1343 made a solo run down the Skally today. The engine has been working on the MNN out of Holt MN, but it has moved over to the Skally to get partnered up with ILSX SD40T-2. The duo will be working grain and flour service to the Horizon Mill in Rush City.
After turning at M&D Jct. the 1343 ran back to Rush City light.The engine started life as an Intermountain Tunnel Motor. I stripped it down, changed the lights to match the prototype, added BLMA grab irons, cab shades, AC unit, antenna stand, fans, cut levers, mu and air hoses, mirrors and wipers. I used a MbE Air Horn and a Sunrise rear light.A nice shot by Brian Kays for reference. I really appreciate him posting some nice shots of the 1343.

CRR Icebreaker Car

2011-08-28T18:12:00.000-07:00

I normally don't post many pictures of projects that are "on the workbench". I usually forget to take pictures until they make their layout debut. But I thought I would let you know what I'm working on right now. This car is being built for a friends line. Ken Borowski's Clinchfield Railroad Blue Ridge Division is one of my favorite lines and I wanted to contribute to the great work Ken has already done. I'm embarking on a mission to complete an CRR Icebreaker car. I have about half of the metal super-structure done and then I need to build a weight box for the other end. When it's done the car will make a one way run down the Skally Line on it's way to Erwin, TN.

BNSF 3964

2011-08-14T18:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I happened to be rolling my the Minnesota Commercial shops and I noticed they had a new slug back on a track used for long term storage. BNSF B23-7 4208 has been hiding here for a while, but it looks like the MNNR has acquired BNSF slug 3964. It would be fun to see this ex-ATSF F7A in service.

NS 5169

2011-08-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

For some reason the Skally has been seeing some NS power lately. These engines will not on the line for very long, they just happen to be running through on their way to other parts of the country. This week NS 5169 was leading a very short NTWSUP north.You might be wondering why there are running long hood forward, well that is forward for this engine. I don't think we'll be setting any of the ILSX or SCXY engines up that way, I doubt it would make the crews very happy.
On a scenic note, you can see some of the static grass I have begun experimenting with. I'm not sold on Woodland Scenics grass and will be trying others to find the right look coming up.

QTTX 130702

2011-07-31T06:32:00.000-07:00

I got a report there was a special move headed from Rush City up to CP's Rice's Point Yard in Duluth, do I decided to intercept it at Sandstone. I wasn't disappointed. ILSX 1344 was leading the Northbound Extra, pulling only three cars. Sandwiched between a pair of gondolas was QTTX 130702. Word on the Skally is that the Horizon Mill is getting a new transformer and the depressed center flat car was brought in to haul the high and wide load.ILSX 3109 was idling on the rear, I'm taking a wild guess that this SD40-2 will be on point for the return trip.QTTX 130702 is an N Scale Kits model I recently put together. The kit is nicely cast all in metal. I had to add some BLMA grab irons above the supplied stirrups. I also MT-1023 body mounted couplers and BLMA 100 Ton trucks. The decals are Micro Scale from various sets (making the Q was the biggest challenge). Weathering was a mix of

Switching out M&D Jct.

2011-07-04T12:11:00.001-07:00

On an otherwise quiet July 4th in White Bear Lake I heard the faint rumble of and SD40-2 in notch 1. I waited around a few minutes and ILSX 1344 (you may remember this unit at ISLX 202) came rolling through M&D Jct. with just 2 loads to switch out.
1344 used the East leg of the wye to run around and get facing north to make all the switches training point. As it does it passes the front entrance of one customer: Universal Forest Products. It looks like they will have one load in and 1 empty out today.I ran to the North end of the wye to get a view back south as the train rolled around. The crew has already dropped the lumber load at Universal and is getting ready to spot a boxcar at St.Croix Valley Hardwoods.It doesn't take long and they have the empty car out, the load spotted and they are headed North, back to the Rush City Yard.A special thanks to my friend HK for helping me plant 50 trees on Friday. I hope to get the backdrop in place this week and maybe get some more trees planted. Maybe I will also get the awnings added to St.Croix Valley Hardwood to keep the loading dock guys from complaining about all the rain we've been getting.

CP 8270

2011-07-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Layout updates are coming, I promise...
but I've been doing more work in the chop nose section of the world. I've started resin casting chop nosed GP9 shells for various projects (GP8s, 9, and 10s). Here is a unit I just finished up. CP 8270 started life as a high nose Soo Line GP9. After being involved in a wreck, the Soo Line shops converted it to a GP20 style short nose. The CP has kept many of these Soo Line conversions on the roster across the US and Canada.I used BLMA grab irons, cut levers, lift rings, mu hoses, a J&J winter hatch, a Gold Medal cab shade and all-weather window. The Sinclair is a Sandro 24" piece. The paint was Badger CP Action Red and the decals were Micro scale. The engine is a new Atlas unit that I installed a Digitrax decoder into. The front light had to be removed to fit inside the cab. The nose on this unit was actually off a Life Like GP-20 (why reinvent the wheel when you have the parts just sitting there?). I finished it off with some MT-1015 couplers. The weathering was done with Tamiya chalks.

BNSF 2754

2011-06-04T15:26:00.000-07:00

BNSF GP39E 2754 has made it to the Skally Line. I caught the unit running a couple loads of durum wheat and a car load of HCl onto the BNSF interchange track in Hinckley. The engineer was nice enough to park it for a minute so I could grab shot of both sides.This engine is an Atlas GP30 modified with a GP38 cab, new air intakes, Dash 2 electronics, BLMA cut levers, fans, lift rings, air horns, grab irons, mu hoses, cab shades, air hoses, wipers and mirrors. I also used a Miniatures by Eric firecracker antenna and Atlas sand hatches. I performed the Beardon block removal and added a Kato engineer. MT couplers, Microscale decals and an MRC sound decoder round out the build.

Dresser Trap Rock

2011-05-29T14:36:00.001-07:00

I'm not a purist, in my world the tracks still run from Hugo, MN through to North Branch, MN. The bike trail was torn up and tracks were laid down. As I plan and build and change plans and rebuild I keep making small changes to "my line". The Skally will eventually have a few larger customers. Horizon Milling and Zinpro provide some fun switching, but I'm looking for more. As the fleet of ILSX six axle locomotives on the line grows I need things for them to do. Eventually I would like to add a grain shuttle loading facility (Peterson's Mill in North Branch will be expanding out). Traincat is getting ready to release some Aggregate unloaders and conveyors and it got me thinking about one of my favorite industries, Dresser Trap Rock Inc. Should I slide this quarry to the "other" side of the river and add it to the Skally Line, or am I talking the crazy talk? I'm open to your thoughts as I head back into layout construction season...

Ghosts of Grain Rushes Past

2011-05-09T19:15:00.001-07:00

The storage line at Northtown Yard now includes several SD60Ms wrapped for long term storage. These beasts were once the pride of the BN. Now they sit wrapped while the Z trains roll by.

The Mainstreeter

2011-05-03T20:15:00.001-07:00

Some of you may be members of the Northern Pacific Historical Society or may purchase The Mainstreeter at your LHS. There is a nice article by Gary Tarbox about the Skally Line in the Spring 2011 issue. It also happens to include a photograph that I shot late last year (now I can claim to be a published photographer, sweet!). Pick up a copy or check out the info at NPHSA.org

BNSF GP39E 2750

2011-04-02T18:07:00.000-07:00

BNSF 2750 made it's Skally Line debut this afternoon. I caught a couple shots as it rolled the line.Here is a Todd Harms photo of the prototype in Sioux City, IA.
This one has the full treatment. BLMA fans, lift rings, grab irons, mirrors, cab shades, ditch lights, cut levers, mu hoses, air hoses. The body was an Atlas GP30, the cab is from an Atlas GP38, the blower bulge and forward vents came from a Kato SD40-2. The sand hatches are Altas. All the decals were Microscale. This one was a lot of work, I can't wait to do it again!

CP 534

2011-03-19T07:47:00.001-07:00

I was inspecting track out on the North end of the line when I heard the dispatcher give clearance for a light power move by the CP over the Skally. While that is not so uncommon, the engine that came though was. CP 534 is one of 3 ex-Milw SD10s the CP took on from the SOO.
Here is a David J Conway shot of the engine in St.Paul for reference. I didn't go all out on this unit because it won't be on the line long. I have to refocus on getting my GP39Es and the Skally GP's done.

SD40-2 Chop Job

2011-02-05T11:40:00.000-08:00

Just the diesel tank, I new I wouldn't be totally happy with MILW 158 till I cut the tank down to Milwaukee Road standards. If only the newer Atlas SD9s were that easy.

The Lifeline of the Skally LIne

2011-02-04T16:51:00.000-08:00

The BNSF Hinckley Local is the link to the outside world for the SCXY. The Hinckley Local originates from Northtown Yard (NTW) and switches industries north off of the Hinckley Sub, starting with Anheuser-Busch in Coon Rapids and finishing with the SCXY interchange in Hinckley, MN.
The local is usually pulled by BNSF GP28Ms 1527 and 1525. On occasion you will see ILSX engines in tow headed for service work at the ILS shop in Bethel.The major car types you will see on the SCXY are hoppers. There are three major cargoes you will see: general hopper (AAR type LO) loads of durum wheat for the Horizon Mill in Rush City, PressurAide hoppers for moving milled Durum flour and hopper loads of fertilizer to Peterson's Mill in North Branch. You will also see tank cars on the line, since the new unloading stands were built last summer Zinpro in North Branch has been receiving Hydrochloric Acid by rail. They use this for making high quality animal feeds. You will also see the occasional tank car of LP for Lakes Gas who has two facilities on the line, one in Hinckley and one in North Branch. While I'm sure that Zinpro is a welcome customer on the line the HCl cars require a little extra work in that you cannot couple the engine to the cars, the crews use a buffer car when handling these loads, per FRA rules.

SCXY Gondola

2011-01-08T12:15:00.000-08:00

I've also decided to make a move on rolling stock. I had a W&S gondola that I wasn't happy with in my collection and the day I decided what to do with it was the day I noticed a gondola added to the SCXY rolling stock roster. I added BLMA grab irons, a mineral red paint job, Fox Valley 33" metal wheels and various Microscale decals. And for the rivet counters I know I'm off a couple of panels. The weathering was done with ground taconite pellets (really, it was).Here is a Matt Petersen photo for reference.

MILW 158

2011-01-08T12:04:00.000-08:00

I decided to take a break from my SCXY/ILSX locomotives to focus on a quick project. I wanted to practice my two tone painting so I decided to do a Milwaukee Road SD40-2. I loaded it up with detail parts from BLMA and Altas. It has the MRC-1806 sound decoder in it and it runs great. My favorite details were the cheapest. I removed the drop steps and added .015 wire to replace the walkway chains for a more MILW look and I added an Atlas bell behind the cab. I could still shorten the fuel tank and add an all weather window to the engineers side, but I'm not happy with the commercially available options. The decals were Microscale.Here is a 1981 C.W. Lahickey photo for reference.

ILSX 203

2010-12-27T13:12:00.000-08:00

Now this may look familiar to some of you, but this is the debut of my latest labor of love. ILSX 203 started life as an Intermountain DRGW SD40T-2. I stripped it, added BLMA fans, wipers, cab shades, air hoses, mu hoses, mirror, grab irons, an Atlas bell and MU cable. I built my own electrical cabinet from styrene and painted the unit in Conrail blue. The decals are from Solidesign. The Sinclair antenna is Intermountain and the Leslie 3 chime is Kato. I'm still waiting on IM to send me my missing window and silver truck frames so I can finish this one off. It will also be getting a Digitrax DN163I0 decoder.

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-03T04:27:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from the Skally Line!

1374 Progress

2010-11-18T09:01:00.000-08:00

As I wait for an email back from the decal guy, I made some progress on some other small things. Some things worked, some need to be re-worked. I added J&J etched metal ladders on the rear of the unit. That was good. The tool box side of the weights (by the fuel tank) I like how this side turned out. I might remove a little metal from the frame later.

The rack side of the fuel tank, I need to do more material removal here and add the posts for hanging parts from. Hopefully next week I have a little time to work on it.

Hopefully by the end of Thanksgiving weekend I'll have some progress on two of my other project engines to show you (SCXY GP9 1363 and ILSX SD40T-2 203).

Minnesota Bound

2010-11-18T07:33:00.001-08:00

Some shots from around town...
MNNR B23-7 #40 works the Fridley Line by Locke Park.BNSF GP39E 2901 and BNSF GP38-2 2264 hold up at Interstate waiting for clearance into Northtown Yard.

SOO (CP) GP38-2 4410 works the CP line in Redwing. She's faded, but still working hard.

BNSF C44-9Ws 5275, 4828 and 5287 blast a grain train by University.

1374 Update

2010-11-09T09:32:00.001-08:00

After some time away from home I was able to get some things done on my SD9. I got the appropriate fans installed, paint mostly done, mild weathering, sand hatches, cut levers, mu hoses, wipers and train lines installed. I need to get the decals made, rear ladders installed and get the mods made to the fuel tank so you can tell its DM&IR past.

ILSX 1374

2010-10-31T10:59:00.000-07:00

My latest project is an ex-DM&IR #155, ILSX #1374 chopped nose SD9. I've gotten some of the details on and the cab is mostly done. This one has a mix of BLMA, Miniatures by Eric, Atlas and J&J details. I cleared off the pilots after these photos and will get the cut levers mounted this afternoon.Here you can see the prototype in this Robert Garton photo taken in Ross, ND. The paint scheme is Soo Line inspired and I may use the earlier ILS badging on the long hood.

M&D Junction Overview

2010-10-31T10:55:00.000-07:00

Pogopod,
per you request and overhead of M&D. I still have a lot of work to do in this section. As you can see I follow the David Barrow "domino" design for layout construction. That way the masses stay out of the house. I'll probably finish the ground cover next weekend and I'm still waiting for the backdrop to be printed.

202 is Done!

2010-10-10T14:38:00.000-07:00

I can move on to my next project. 202 is done. I fixed the front plow details and got the weathering done. Check it out...

Southern MN / Iowa

2010-10-07T04:00:00.000-07:00

If you ever have a chance (or are forced) to drive from Mankato, MN to Omaha, NE bring a camera. The roads are lined with some of my favorite things: trains and grain elevators.
Just south of Worthington, MN I caught Minnesota Southern (ex-ILSX) MSWY GP7 1379 and GP9 1365 waiting to get clearance onto the UP mainline. Just a little further north and you can see two more ex-ILSX units at Huron Bio-Energy.
Along Hwy. 60 you'll see plenty of elevators, quire a few are owned by New Vision, this one is just a little north of Mountain Lake, MN.
One of the highest capacity elevators on the line is the shuttle loader in Alton, Iowa. The steel building with the white roof is covered grain storage.

ILSX 202: Out of the Shop

2010-10-04T17:03:00.000-07:00

ILSX SD40-2 has rolled out of the shops in Bethel and is working on the Skally Line.

I started with a Kato SD40-2. I added BLMA lift rings, cab shades, mirrors, cut levers, mu hoses grab irons, fans. Atlas sand hatches and bell, Miniatures by Eric exhaust manifold, brake wheel, firecracker whistle and horn. The engine has an MRC 1806 sound decoder.I want to give special thanks to Frank Nesbit for letting me photograph the prototype up close. The decals came from Solidesign. They matched the photos I took perfectly. I still need to put a different plow on it (something smaller), add the front mu hoses and the air hoses. Here's the top view, weathering is coming, no worries there.

M&D Jct., a Work in Progress

2010-09-25T12:07:00.001-07:00

After dropping of its load in White Bear, CP 5902 made use of the Wye at M&D Jct to get facing north again. The large building in the background is St. Croix Valley Hardwoods.Now 5902 is facing north again it passes by the entrance to Universal Forest Products, the end of the line for many a Canadian lumber load.

More CP Power on the Skally

2010-09-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

Some of you know I have been doing some "fleet modifications" downsizing and upgrading the Skally Line motive power. All of my engines have been modified in one way or another. The only engines I have left that I didn't upgrade myself are my CP units. My latest addition CP SD40-2 5902 came to me with all the bells and whistles (at steal of a price). Here it was on it's first revenue run on the Skally Line, pulling some lumber loads south to M&D Jct. in White Bear Lake.This shot was captured as it ran light back up to Hinckley.

Random Shots From Summer

2010-09-24T04:18:00.000-07:00

CP AC4400 8524 slides out of Pigs Eye Yard while BNSF Dash 9-44CW 4791 waits for its turn.MNRX MP36PH-3S 505 takes commuters back north as ex-C&S BNSF SD40-2 1594 drags cuts of cars out at Northtown Yard.

CEFX AC44CW 1041 glides past MN&S Juntion in Crystal, MN pulling a stack train east.

So Close, Yet So Far

2010-09-23T18:53:00.001-07:00

I have been making progress on ILSX 202, but I'm being slowed up. I'm stuck waiting on an exhaust manifold and the proper horn from Miniatures By Eric. He makes some great parts, I just wish he was on this side of the Canadian border so the shipping wouldn't take so long. I've got a nice package of decals from Scott Wright at Solidesign waiting to go on the long hood, I've already done up the front numberboards using his decals. The BLMA cab shades, lift rings, mirrors, wipers, the Min. By Eric antenna and the Atlas sand hatch are all installed, as are the Atlas bell, BLMA fan grills, cut levers and lift rings. The paint is Conrail blue and the anti-glare patch is a Micro-scale decal.Did I mention how much I love BLMA fans? Especially on my darker engines. I paint the fans white and the grills black, boy do they pop!

Slow but sure

2010-09-01T19:22:00.000-07:00

I've made some progress on two of my project engines. ILSX 202 and SCXY 1363 have progressed. I haven't had much time lately, but what I get has been good. Grab irons are done, most of the lift rings are in (I left a couple out on 202 until I get the exhaust silencer installed) and some of the other details are finding their home. I have a couple orders of parts on their way. Once they get here I will get the next round of progress underway.

It's Alive!

2010-09-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

I have driven by MNNR S13 CTM 1 countless times, but I never saw it move. A couple of weeks ago I got lucky and I got to see it switch out Loadmaster Lubricants where it resides. It was nice to finally catch this critter in action. I'm guessing that is the engineers pickup, he must have driven up to handle duties at the northern end of the MNNR Hugo line.

30th Annual MRHS

2010-08-09T23:35:00.000-07:00

What a blast this trip was. There were so many highlights I don't know where to begin. Thanks to Brian and Hans for bringing me along. I've finally had a chance to go to so many of the places I've seen only in pictures. The rail-fanning was a blast. I see that the DM&IR is an addictive railroad and now I've gotten a little taconite in my system.

Missabi Best in Show

2010-08-09T23:30:00.000-07:00

There was an interesting light power move over the Skally Line this week. It happened to be the 2010 Missabe Railroad Historical Society Best in Show. I want to congratulate Brian for his outstanding DM&IR SD-M.

MOW Equipment

2010-07-31T13:24:00.000-07:00

As the line grows, I wanted to start adding some MOW equipment. nmanica from nscale.net got me thinking about a Gondola Crane. It was a pretty simple one night project. I could have taken longer, but I'm happy with the results. The gondola still needs some work...

Long Term Projects

2010-07-25T16:37:00.000-07:00

A couple of fellow N Scalers have gotten me into locomotive detailing and I have decided to take it a step further. I have begun collecting parts and building the SCXY GPs. I'm starting with SCXY (ILSX) 1363. This is going to take longer than I thought, but I think it will be worth it in the long run.Until now I have been using mostly BLMA details. I just got my first shipment of Miniatures By Eric detail parts. The first thing I installed was the proper bell on ILSX 3109, CP 5559 will be getting its winter hatch and the now chop nosed 1363 got its firecracker antenna and is getting fitted for it's winter hatch. I cut down the battery boxes and will be working on matching the walkways and railings soon.

Motive Power Update

2010-07-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

There are still a few small details to add (MU holder tube) but otherwise ILSX 3109 is ready for service. I finished the decals, most of the details (check out the wipers and the rear view mirrors) and the weathering. I'm very happy with how it turned out. I also added fiber optic ditch lights up front. I'll dress them up a little more at a later date.
CP 5559 is a new addition to the fleet. The shops still need to get the winter hatch back on top, but we have a couple months of summer to get that done.CN SD40-3 6256 has been receiving some work lately. I still need to swap plows and mu hoses on this one, but the bulk of the major work is done. This one and ILSX have both received BLMA fans and MRC 1806 sound decoders (which are working very well).

Realistic Lumber Loads V2.0

2010-07-05T06:53:00.000-07:00

Realizing I hadn't used the proper length cars (thanks Red Caboose for releasing another batch) I picked up a few 73' cars and made some more lumber loads up. This particular load came from the Babine Mill in Burn Lake, BC. I have 4 different Mills done up already.

Realistic Lumber Loads

2010-06-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

Here are the lumber loads I have been working on. Cheap and easy. I took pics of some loads out on the BNSF main, resized them into a spreadsheet printed them and wrapped them around 1/4 basswood. There is priniting on all sides and all the visible sides line up. You can even see the corner guards under the straps at the top of the load. Something simple but I wanted to try it out.

ILSX 3109

2010-06-12T08:52:00.001-07:00

I've been working on building ILSX 3109 for use on the Skally Line. This locomotive was in service at the grain elevator in Holloway, MN prior to me "transferring" it. I started with a Kato UP SD40, stripped the decals off, added BLMA fans, cut levers, MU hoses, cab shades and an Atlas plow. I added the decals and some paint, shot it with some dullcoat and added a MRC 1806 sound decoder (soooo cool). Here is a photo by Alec Holmes taken at the Northtown shops to see what I was shooting for. I do need to add the ILSX lettering, but I think it may get re-lettered for the SCXY.

Busy Busy Busy

2010-06-11T03:49:00.000-07:00

Hopefully I will get some pictures taken of the Skally line this weekend. I have almost completed my ILSX SD40-2 #3109. It will get some dullcoat tonight and as soon as the cab glass arrives it will make its first revenue run on the SCXY. I've had so many projects going on that I haven't finished a thing. More layout sections, building some nice lumber loads (you'll see those soon too) and expanding the fleet in general while keeping up on creating all the photo car cards. More on those later. Here are some random pics until next time...

MNNR B23-7 #48 working the Hugo local on the old Skally Line. I caught them as they were crossing the CP line at Bald Eagle Jct. in White Bear Lake. This location will eventually make it's way onto my Skally Line. It wasn't the usual crew today. The normal crew leaves most of the cars at M&D Jct. and only brings what they need to the end of the line in Hugo. These guys brought everything with today.
MNNR SF30B #42 pulling the once a month Bayport Local. This run handles the Anderson Window plant in Bayport. Here they are on UP trackage through St. Pauls Phalen Park neighborhood.
Here CP GP40 #4617 is leading the shortest train I have ever seen roll out of Pigs Eye Yard. I've seen BNSF light power moves longer than this.
A trio of UP power trailing an empty coal train across the Mississippi in downtown St. Paul. The train just came from the Allen P. King Coal plant in Bayport, MN. The rear 2 engines will probably get dropped int South St. Paul as the rest of the train heads back to the Powder River Basin.

2010-05-15T18:50:00.000-07:00

I was going to wait to edit the pictures, but i was pretty excited about how the bridge turned out, so here they are in their original state. LLPX GP38-2 2209 was pulling a quick set of hoppers off the Skally Line this morning. Here are the cropped down shots.
Enjoy!

Another day on the Skally Line

2010-05-04T04:30:00.000-07:00

A few shots from the Skally Line, one from Pine City. SCXY GP9 1363 and GP8 1352 running a nice string of hoppers back to Rush City. This spring I had no sun, on this day I had almost too much. Just south of the Rock Creek Bridge

A few of my favorite things

2010-05-03T04:38:00.001-07:00

MNTX SDP40 (BN) 325, Pulling the MNTX SD9 and GP as well as a nice passenger car. This is the MNTX power heading north past Central Ave. to Osceola for the tourist season. MNNR B23-7 1978 working the Hiawatha Line

WSOR 4006

2010-04-14T04:30:00.000-07:00

Some projects go better than others. I took a second shot at puting BLMA cut levers on one of my SD40-2s. The first round I mounted them to low, so I pulled them off did a little chassis shaving and they turned out so good I added a BLMA plow and MU hoses. I'm happy with it. Next I'll need an all-weather window and a cab shade.

Set Back City

2010-04-09T06:29:00.000-07:00

I had been making progress, slow but sure on my Pice CIty Bridge scene, here it is after the first coat of Woodland Scenic water. everything went great. Then I applied the second coad (no pictures, sorry) the product was fine, I think I had some changes in room temperature that adversly affected it, I got rippling then bubbling. The scene was ruined. I've torn it apart and am trying to salvage the bridge to try again...

Why I Love Minnesota Part 2

2010-04-01T04:43:00.001-07:00

NS 9-40CW 9829 heavy on the throttle out of Northtown yard at University.CN ES44DC 2243 leads a mixed freight into the CP Shoreham yard.CP SD40-2 #6067, hiding in Shoreham, waiting for the main to clear.The Shoreham yard crew using CP (SOO) MP15AC 1553.I was able to get the shots in these two posts in less than 2 hours. Not to shabby.

Why I Love Minnesota Part 1

2010-04-01T04:32:00.000-07:00

For those that don't know, the Twin Cities of St.Paul and Minneapolis are a railroading mecca. What was the GN, NP and Milwaukee Road has yielded to the BNSF, CN, CP, UP, Progressive Rail, Minnesota Commercial and Amtrak. On any given day you will see those plus power from NS, CSX and KCS.

BNSF C44-9W #4030 Leads the lineup at Midway Yard, taking the Z train to Chicago.

BNSF C44-9W #723, stuck in the middle.

CSX C40-8W following along.
I thought I would also toss in a picture of the BNSF GP60B #341, sitting on the storage line at Northtown, mixed in with a few of the remaining SD40-2s.

Random Shots

2010-03-11T04:00:00.000-08:00

These are just some random shots I had in the collection.

BNSF C44-9W 5270 pulling a grain train though Pigs Eye. "Nothing says BNSF like a cigar band Dash 9."
BNSF ES44DC 7313 and a beat up C44-9W 4673 coming off the MNNR line back onto the St. Paul sub.

BNSF GP39M 2839 and a EMDX GP38-2 779 working Northtown

A New Arrival

2010-03-01T16:05:00.000-08:00

I got a call from a Trainmaster in Northtown of a new arrival to the SCXY. I was pleased to head up to Rush City last weekend and photograph the new SCXY GP10 1352... the MU hoses haven't yet been attached and the fuel tanks are still empty. And while the sun was shining, I figured I'd get some more pics of the oh so good looking SCXY GP9 1363

Pine City Bridge

2010-03-01T16:00:00.000-08:00

I thought I would update you on the N Scale Skally Line progress. I've been working on the Pine CIty Bridge over the Snake River. I am scratch building the bridge in styrene, using an Atlas girder plate bridge. I have alot of material left to add, but I have finished the majority of the wood and concrete sections. I need to start adding some steel next, but I wanted to show that I have been getting something done...

Skally Line Update

2010-02-12T04:43:00.000-08:00

I was checking out the repaired bridge in Pine City when I had a suprise drive by with an unusual load for the SCXY.
Here SCXY GP9 1363 hits the bridge. Some of the smaller repairs can be seen underneath. Here the 8 axle TTX car rolls the bridge. Thank goodness this was after the major pier repairs that can be seen to the lower right. The crewman rode the car from Hinckley to Rush City. Thank goodness it got up to 26 degrees!

Twin Ports Drive By

2010-02-11T04:19:00.000-08:00

I was in and out of the Twin Ports (Duluth, MN & Superior, WI) earlier this week for work. The clouds broke late in the day, but the scenery is always good.

Bessemer & Lake Erie SD40T-3 909 and some CN units were town picking up some limestone in Duluth.

CP SD60 6047 and its wide cab brother waiting for duty at Stinson Yard.

Also idling at Stinson today was CP GP38 4511, which I posted pictures of from Red Wing just a couple of weeks ago.

BNSF ES44AC 6224, no stranger to the unit trains, is idling on the ready line at the Belknap engine servicing facility.

Shakopee, MN

2010-02-05T05:44:00.000-08:00

Did a little railfanning down in Savage and Shakopee, MN last week and the sun came out for a bit! That area has alot of great industries and a small UP yard (Valley Park) that would translate easily into a layout.

UP GP38-2 308 running light to service some of the local businesses. The lights are off because he is running away from me in this shot.

Rahr Malting would be fun to model, lots of cars in-cars out traffic, the UP main runs through the middle of the complex, every building type I know of from brick to precast. And massive elevators. This place is awesome!

Harvest States EMD SW1 sitting idle at the CHS Elevator in Savage

Something different...

2010-01-22T04:35:00.000-08:00

Maybe you can tell I'm stalling. I've gotten very little done on the Skally Line lately. I painted the Rush City Mill and am getting ready to start adding some details. I added 4 more Tortoise machines to the layout and added a Digitrax DS52 to control the switches on the North Branch Chinook spur. I did start building the North Branch Mill as well. I'll try to get some more done this weekend so I can post more N scale pics soon.

But until then, here are some shots I got driving through Redwing last week. Again it was overcast, that seems to be the trend for me this year...

CP SD40-2 5975 Pulling a southbound manifest, heavy with Canadian Grain cars.

CP GP38-2 4511 idles away in downtown Redwing, probably servicing the local industries today.

The SD's are still out there

2010-01-13T13:52:00.000-08:00

Here are some random shots I got back in October around the metro. Enjoy.

BNSF SD39 1913 working Northtown.
BNSF SD40-2 7884 Pulling a ballast train to a bridge project on the St.Paul Sub.
UP SD40-2 3225 waiting for it's next job at Hoffman Yard.

SD40-2 8018 taking a freight out of Northtown.

Hugo Local

2010-01-04T05:02:00.000-08:00

I was able to get out and follow the MNNR Hugo Local for an hour with my girls last week. The first shot is just after passing under 35E in Vadnais Heights. A couple of lumber loads and a couple of tank cars are allowing MNNR 42 to build up a decent amount of speed.Later the crew cuts free from some box cars they picked up and get ready to handle the tank cars at Loadmaster Lubricants in Hugo. Someday I'll get some sunshine to take pictures in, today was overcast and snowy.

Railfanning the BNSF

2009-12-22T04:34:00.000-08:00

A special thanks goes out to my friend Hans, who was able to show me some great spots to catch trains yesterday. The Twin Cities has such a great mix when it comes to railfanning. Here are some of the highlights...

The Hinckley Local L-TWI8171-21I led by the Dynamic Duo of BNSF GP28Ms 1525 and 1527.

One of the finest engineers on the system, Frank Jordan using the elongated cab BNSF GP50 to get the Monti Local rolling at Northtown.

Snoot nosed SD39-2 1896 working Midway Yard.

2009-12-22T04:23:00.000-08:00

BNSF Dash 9-44CW 701 leads the Z-CHCLAU9-20M into the south end of Northtown.

The M-ABENTW1-20A led by BNSF Dash 9-44CW 4888, the BNSF version of a "Bloody Nose" paint scheme.

The BNUP led by GP38 2710 pulling an all grain unit past the bluffs.

A meeting of the Grain Trains. The BNUP meets one of the Pigs Eye MP15AC Bandits.

Blast From the Past

2009-12-06T13:48:00.000-08:00

Here is NP 105 (now a MNTX engine) pulling the first boxcar my Dad ever bought me, so many decades ago.

Grass Is Growing

2009-11-29T12:25:00.001-08:00

A special thanks to my Dad for picking up the Silfor I needed at the train show in Milwaukee. It has allowed me to fill in the swamp scene on my Sandstone module. I have also painted and installed the first fascia board.

The Northbound local pulling an Atlas Thrall 4750 c.f. hopper.The Southbound Local pulling an Exactrail Trinity 5161 c.f. hopper.

2009-11-22T18:46:00.000-08:00

ILSX GP9 1363 is back on duty following a completion of repairs to the Snake River Bridge in Pine City. Thanks to ILSX for putting her in a paint scheme more suited to her assignment. Sorry the picture isn't better, I ran out of daylight.

Layout progress

2009-11-07T05:39:00.001-08:00

Two of the layout sections I have been putting the most time into lately. The top one is the Sandstone swamp scene. I need more trees yet and some long grass (probably Silfor) to cover the brown area. This section is the revised North Branch scene. Since I took this picture I have finished the land forms, painted and put ground cover (grass) over everything but the cork area where the Peterson Co-op will sit.

The lines get longer

2009-11-02T04:53:00.000-08:00

BNSF GP39-2 2716 handles some duties around Northtown Yard while the lines of returning FURX SD40-2s stretch on into the distance.

Hinckley Power at Sunrise

2009-10-27T13:16:00.000-07:00

This morning I came across the power for the Hinckley Sub at MNNRs Yard A. The GP28's, 1527 & 1525 were going to be working the yard job today in Northtown. I'm glad I was finally able to catch up to these two. Maybe soon I'll be able to catch them working the Hinckley Sub.

It only rains on the unloved

2009-10-21T12:58:00.000-07:00

I didn't realize that I never reposted this set of pictures from this fall... they were just sitting in my draft folder. A little late, but nevertheless... enjoy.

TC&W GP20C pulling some grain hoppers out of MNNR Yard A. BNSF Snoot nosed SD39-2 #1896 with GP38 #2196 assigned as Midway switch power in the St. Paul rain. Thanks for the correction Hans!

BNSF C44-9W #966 waiting to pull away from MNNR Yard A on a soggy day. In the background you can see MNNR RS27 #316 getting ready to pull out with the Hennepin Ave. turn (yes, he runs backwards up through Park Jct.).

Flour City

2009-10-19T04:54:00.000-07:00

Northtown Yard last week, the SD40-2s are starting to stack up, every paint scheme BN and BNSF ever ran is sitting there right now.

A pair on the CP line waiting to take the bridge West.

2009-10-17T17:13:00.000-07:00

Progress on the Sandstone Swamp. Belt Line Jct. Will hopefully get wired tomorrow. One piece of track left to install (pics soon). North Branch has been torn up to make the track configuration more prototypical. (again, pics soon). Enjoy...

And that is my Breast Cancer Awareness Car, which is a real car on the WSOR.

Rush City

2009-10-12T04:40:00.000-07:00

I worked a little more on Rush City this weekend. I have almost completed the SCXY Corporate HQ. I just need to add details and signs. I was able to shoot a couple shots just as the switch crews were returning home for the day.

Horizon Milling

2009-10-09T05:01:00.000-07:00

I thought I should give a modelling update...

I have made a little progress on the layouts largest industry, Horizon Milling in Rush City. I should have taken the picture after I put the windows in the head house, but I was busy running hoppers in and out of the mill.

This weekend I hope to finish the benchwork on my first corner module, Belt Line Crossing. We'll see how far I get.

Box of Chocolates

2009-10-07T04:26:00.000-07:00

I saw GP38 2288 sitting at Rice Point Yard in Duluth a couple weeks ago, so I took my daughters by it to get a picture. I noticed some odd smoke coming from the normal switching engines so I drove around to get a better look. Some days you just have no idea how lucky you're going to get...

River Sioux Iowa

2009-10-02T04:51:00.000-07:00

There was an unusual stop in Iowa, the town of River Sioux. My buddy and I had been running parallel to the UP Main line so we decided to get off the freeway and set up for a shot at the local grain elevator. This was the sign at the top of the ramp... a little spooky...

My friend comments on how odd the town is, no cars, no people, so we hurry and get out pictures and go...

So we headed back to the freeway. The ramp back onto the freeway was closed. You have never seen two people drive as fast out of a town the other way as we went that day...

2009-09-25T05:51:00.000-07:00

A couple shots from Grand Island. I think the red stands out nicely amongst all the corn in NE.

Sunrise in Iowa

2009-09-20T19:11:00.000-07:00

I believe this was Sioux City, but my friend Brian and I covered 1500 miles in 2 days and it is all a blur now... DPU unit on an East bound coal drag.

Mavis is a little diesel on the Thomas show...