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.

NSNX GP7 2012

I just finished up a build to celebrate NScale.net. NScale.net has a few traveling pieces of equipment that work their way around the globe, being documented on different members layouts. There was a need for a diesel that would cover a broad spectrum of timeframes so one night when I couldn't sleep I built NSNX 2012. I kept the details and the paint simple and sturdy as this engine will see some travel time ahead. A special thanks to Sean M. from California for providing the chassis for this build!

NTW Yard 7-7-12

I do love stopping by Northtown Yard (NTW) which lies partially in Minneapolis and partially in Fridley, MN. Even on a Saturday afternoon there was so much going on...
Some runthrough NS power (C40-9W  9039) on a WB manifest.

 Hump power, this is my favorite sett, two SD40-2s and BNSF TEBC6 #258.

 A little graffiti on a BNSF Dash 9 5278 getting hostled around.

 Dash 9's, a snowdozer (BNSF 972500), a rotary plow (BNSF 972551), the reamin of the Fridley wreck (BNSF 4663).

 BNSF GP38 2218 getting some front end work. Notice the new plate steel, lack of handrails and a missing numberboard. I wonder what she hit.

Little Updates

Things have been a little busy lately, so I haven't been hitting any big projects, but I have been catching up on little ones. I finally finished adding the sill striping to ILSX 1384. That finishes this one, for now.

I've also been continuing on my rolling stock upgrades. About 2/3 of my fleet has been converted to metal wheels. Graffiti has become more prolific on the line (I am a modern modeller), I've been adding more crossover platforms and the weathering continues. I'm trying to get between four and six cars done at a time.

I've been trying graffiti by different suppliers and haven't found one that's all around great. I've tried Micro-Scale, Blair Line and even some random ones off eBay. If anyone has some they'd like me to try, let me know, I'm game.

As for upcoming projects you'll be seeing:
1) I'm nearing completion on my SCXY Jordan Spreader.
2) I have started a scenic domino for the Skally Line, Rock Creek will debut soon.
3) Work has started on a Clinchfield "Tie Car" for Ken Borowski's Blue Ridge Subdivision.
4) I'm hoping to start work on a very special SD9 this month.

 And I think that is enough teasers for now.

ILSX SD40-3 1340

Another beautiful engine has been assigned to the Skally Line. ILSX SD40-3 1340 has been paired up with sister ILSX 1341 for hauling loaded sand trains to the BNSF interchange in Hinckley. Tiller Corp. in North Branch is loading out covered hopper loads of sand headed for a North Dakota fracking operation. New power is always a welcome sight on the line.

 

This engine started out as a Kato Mid-Production SD40-2. The snow shields, air horn, bell and light housings are MbE. The wipers, cut levers, cab shades, mu hoses and air lines are BLMA. The fans, and lift rings are Trainworx. The Sinclair is by Sandro. The paint is Milwaukee Road Grey and Engine Black. The decals are Microscale.

Tiller Corp.

The new sand loading facility in North Branch appears ready to start loading railcars. The tallest structure on the property is around 7 stories tall. It will take an amazing volume of sand to keep things moving here. I look forward to the action starting. The first cars should have arrived by the time this post airs, wo be loaded out for Oasis Well Service a North Dakota company.

Rush City Memorial Day

 As I drove to spend Memorial Day with a Veteran of the Korean War, I decided to swing through Rush City and check on the current motive power. SCXY 1363 and 1352 were lashed together, enjoying the day off, while the newest arrival to the line sat nearby, waiting to jump into service. ILSX GP10 1345 (ex-BN 1418) has been brought to the line to help with the expected traffic generated by Tiller Corp, a large new sand loadout facility in North Branch.

I can only hope the 1345 stays on the line for a while. If they need help painting it in Skally colors, I'll definitely volunteer to help!