2 Down, A Bunch To Go...

Two locomotives have made their way from the workbench to the completed file. I times it out so I could paint them at the same time. The first was Clichfield 919. This was a fairly easy build that took some basic details and an odd conversion to get the fuel tank right (the shell sits on the frame backwards).

Next out was BNSF GP50 #3158. This was a labor intensive build that I am glad to be on the back end of. It was fun, but now it is time for something else. I have a whole slew of BNSF engines I am going to try to get done this month. I'll keep you posted as progress happens!

CRR 10061

The Skally Line Car Shops just finished another order for the Clinchfield Blue Ridge Subdivision. CRR 10061 is a custom tie gondola. I'm not sure exactly how it is used, but the shops did a great job matching the photos they were working off of.
ILSX 1344 was used for a special photo run before the car headed off to the BNSF interchange.  

 This car is a real mix of parts. The frame was from a vintage 40' gondola. The ends were from an Atlas boxcar, chopped and flipped to get the rib spacing correct. The side sills, C channel sides and car top are all custom styrene and the tube sides are brass wire. The grab irons, stirrups and air hoses are BLMA. The brake wheel is a Miniatures by Eric piece on a custom built wheel stand. The brake wheel platform is BLMA tread plate bent over brass wire. The trucks are older Kadee, but they were correct for this build. The couplers are body mounted Z Scale Micro-Trains. They look better and still work with the N Scale knuckle couplers. The paint is Polly Scale Engine Black and the decals (if ever so few) are Micro Scale. The wheels are FVM painted Polly Scale Roof Brown.

SOU 2597

The Skally shops have finished another custom job. SOU GP30 has finished its restoration and after it finishes it's final inspection by the CEO of the CRR Blue Ridge Division it will be shipped to that line to be ushered into service.

 

This Southern GP30 was an Atlas GP30 that received extensive work. The short hood was raised, BLMA fans were installed. The raised roof over the cab was cut back to match the prototype. It also recieved custom cab shades as well as a high hood bell, firecracker antenna, airhorns, lift rings, grab irons, mu hoses, air hoses, mirrors, wipers, walkway lights, an Atlas sand hatch on one end and a custom sand hatch (in front of the conductors cab window). Did I miss anything? I also used a pair of MT 905 Z Scale Couplers for the photo shoot.

This engine is off to work the Southern Interchange in Marion, NC on Ken Borowski's Blue Ridge Division Clinchfield Layout. This layout is fantastic and deserves a look if you haven't check his site out before.

The Tunnel Crew

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.

CRR Icebreaker Car

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.