ILSX 1338

ILSX SD40-2 1338 is out of the shop and is helping ILSX SD40-2 1344 on the Escanaba & Lake Superior Railroad while E&LS 400 is in the Bethel Shops for repairs.

This engine started as a Kato SD40-2. The real 1338 sits on a SD40 chassis, but I like the Kato -2s for ease of adding DCC and parts availability.  I added the usual details (BLMA, MbE, Atlas), MbE snow shields, Trainworx grills, moved the brake wheel out back, put rear MbE lights (note they are vertical, not horizontal).

 

I want to thank Jim Elbe for catching some great shots of the duo around Lena, WI on the E&LS. They were very helpful in making this project happen. One of Jim's shots:

Heritage Units

Well, not exactly Skally Line Heritage Units, but a pair of engines painted in the BNSF H1 paint scheme.

The SD9 is going to be numbered ILSX 202, to take the spot vacated when ILSX 1344 was renumbered. This engine is based off of ex-BNSF 6158 that I photographed in the metropolis of Hills, MN.

 I still need to number it and add reporting marks, but I am making progress.

ILSX 1338 is based of the a newly acquired ILSX SD40-2. This engine is currently being leased with the real ILSX 1344 to the E&LS while E&LS GP38 400 is in Bethel at the ILS shops getting some work done. Once I get the decaling done I can finish the cab details and start final assembly.

 You can see the prototype in this fantastic shot by Jim Elbe in Howard, WI.

So many projects...

I have been re-evaluating by current project lineup. I am prioritizing 5 engines and setting myself a deadline (we'll see what day I pick to get these done).
ILSX (NREX) 6158 is a Spartan cab SD9. The prototype for this engine is in Hills, MN. I'd love to see it on the Skally Line, so that build has begun. It will be in H1 paint when I finish.

 ILSX 1338 is the second H1 engine I'll be doing this go around. It is an ex-CN SD40 so it will also have a set of those sweet MbE intake snow shields. I've already gotten the brake wheel in the proper position, a different cab on the engine and Trainworx radiator screens installed. The grab irons are BLMA.

 ILSX (LTEX) 213 is an ex-DMIR SD38-2 that would really help on some Skally unit grain trains. There will be a scheduled grain train called "The Main Streeter" and I'd like this 38 in the consist.

SCXY 1352 is way behind schedule. I need to build 1 handrail (the side not pictured) and repaint the yellow to something brighter. The decals are made, I just need to get it done.

 SCXY 1363 is in the same boat as 1352. I need to chop the front battery boxes off, build handrails, fix the pilots and so on. I also need to add the funky electrical cabinet on the conductors side and because I waited so long I need to repaint the airhorn silver. So much to do and so little summer left...