Rush City Redo part 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 spray paint and chalks.