Bowser Red Barn Finally on the M & M Sub.

Finally! My SD40-2F Red Barn from Bowser is on the layout and racking up miles.

The unit arrived a week ago, while I was out of town. It had its first run two days ago.

Like my other Bowser SD40-2 units, it looks great and runs like a dream.

A great looking and great running Red Barn has been on my wish list for years.

Until now, the only way to get this model was to buy brass, kitbash or use the old Associated Model Makers (AMM) resin kit.

I’ve actually had an AMM Red Barn for about 15 years. I bought it used from a local hobby shop.

The Bowser unit (l) next to the old AMM unit.

It’s a crude effort (someone called it a “bar of soap”), and apparently very hard to work with.

My model is on an Athearn Blue Box chassis. It runs OK. Considering the lack of alternatives, it was great for its time.

So when Bowser announced its Red Barn models, I was ecstatic. And now I finally have one!

With the addition of the Red Barn, I can’t think of any more locomotives that the M & M Sub. would need.

Of course, there’s always the GP9u chop nose that Bowser plans to bring out . . . yes, I could always appreciate one of those.

Click here to read more about the history of  this unique unit.

Update and Photo of Bowser's New SD40-2F Red Barn

I didn’t attend this weekend's Supertrain show in Calgary, so I wasn’t able to check out the Bowser display to get info and photos about new products.

Fortunately, Trevor Sokolan was there and took a photo of the finished models of their new SD40-2F Red Barns.

As followers of this blog know, this is one of my most anticipated offerings from Bowser.

Initially, the units were supposed to be available in late 2016. That got pushed back to February. Now Lee English of Bowser tells me that they should be available in June.

I can’t wait to see one pulling a train on the M & M Sub. . . . .

CP Rail Red Barn Update from Bowser

Samples of Bowser’s new Red Barn were on display at the big model railroad show in Springfield at the end of January.

After I saw the photos by Railroad Model Craftsman, I send a note to Lee English of Bowser for an update on the models—when would they be released?

“It should be three to four months,” he replied.

The next run of SD40-2 units will be out in “about 7-8 weeks,” he said, adding that the AS16/616 is next, followed by the M636 and then the Red Barns.

The delay in releasing the Red Barns is due to delays by Bowser’s builder, he adds.

You Don't Always Get What You Want (When You Buy a Locomotive), But Sometimes You Get What You Need

The Rolling Stones sang "You can't always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need."

What I wanted, about 15 years ago, was another CP Rail GP38-2 for my locomotive roster.

I found a Proto 2000 GP38-2 in the used bin at a hobby shop, so I bought it.

From day one, it ran poorly.

I tried everything, to no avail. 

I even had a friend who was expert in such things look at it.

It didn’t matter how much tinkering was done: It just wouldn’t run well.

When it ran, the motor squealed. Other times, it wouldn't run at all; it would just sit there and hum.

Occasionally, it ran flawlessly, then reverted to its old ways.

(I'm not alone; a search online shows that lots of people had troubles with these units.)

Frustrated, I turned it into a static prop in the engine house in Fort Frances. 

And there it stayed for over ten years, its nose sticking out of the door, just part of the scenery.

But last week I was bored, so I decided to try to fix it one more time.

Nope; still the same problems.

In a fit of inspiration—or maybe just a fit—I decided to take out the motor and turn it into a dummy.

If it couldn’t pull anything, at least it could look like it was, in a consist with two other four-axle units.

And that's what I did. At first, it felt bad tearing a locomotive apart. But I got over it.

And now it runs perfectly! Those Proto 2000 units roll so easily once the gears are removed.

And after some weathering, it looks good, too, now earning its keep on the layout, running with two other powered GP38-2 units (from Atlas).

So I didn't get what I wanted, but I got what I needed: Another four-axle locomotive for the layout. 

This is not the first time I have dissembled something I wanted to create something I needed on the layout. Click here to read how I took apart my finished and painted Rico station to make it fit better as a flat against the wall in the Fort Frances yard.

You've Heard About CP Rail Red Barns, But What About Blue Barns? (Plus an Update From Bowser)

If you are a CP Rail fan, or even if you aren’t, you know about that railway’s famous CP Rail SD40-2F Red Barns.

But did you know about the Blue Barns?

Yes, indeed, that’s the name given to these unique units now that they have been purchased and repainted by the Central Maine & Quebec Railway.

The shortline railway, which was formed in 2014, operates in the New England states of Maine, New Hampshire and in the Canadian province of Quebec.

The CM&Q bought ten of the former CP Rail Red Barns in 2015 (numbers 9004, 9010, 9011, 9014, 9017 and 9020-24). And now they sport the great new liveries!

And here’s good news for HO scale modelers: Lee English tells me that the handsome units will be made by Bowser, including in the BAR heritage scheme.

As for other news from Bowser, Lee says that the second batch of SD40-2 samples are due this week. A new body sample for the SD49-2F is also due anytime.

Click here to read my previous update about the arrival date for Bowser's CP Rail Red Barns.

Top photo by Julian Berard; middle photo by Richard Deuso; bottom photo by Kevin Burkholder.

Bowser SD40-2F Red Barn Update

Like many others, I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Bowser SD40-2F Red Barn. Earlier this year, it was announced they would be available by December.

I asked Lee English of Bowser Trains for an update. He told me that a new body sample is due in the middle of December. The new body has some minor changes and a big change--open grated steps.

The estimated time of arrival is now February, 2017.

As for other Bowser HO offerings, Lee says the M636 is in final tooling. It will come out after the Red Barn.

The delivery of the second batch of SD40-2s is due in late January, 2017.

As for the much-anticipated RS3, Lee says that design and tooling is "moving along very well." He adds they will announce the Canadian versions next year. This will include chop noses with correct side filters.

SD40-2s on the CPR: Almost Gone, But Not Forgotten

As readers of this blog know, I like the SD40-2.

That’s one reason why the M & M Sub. is set in the early 1990s. That’s when the venerable locomotive, which was produced by EMD from 1972-89, was in plentiful supply on CP Rail.

At one time, CP Rail had 486 of the units (compared to just 123 on CN).

You won’t find much in the way of newer power on the layout. The most current units are two AC4400s, which had just begun to arrive on the railway in 1995.

Time on the layout is frozen, in other words.

But time in the real world marches on. 

And, as it does, there are fewer and fewer SD40-2 units in operation on what is now called the CPR.

Currently, there are only eight active SD40-2 locomotives in service on the CPR.

There are 192 SD40-2s still on the roster, along with seven SD40-2Fs (Red Barns). 

All except 11 are tied-up unserviceable (the eight active units, plus three others stored serviceable).

Soon there will be no SD40-2s on the CPR roster. Like the steam locomotives of old, they will just be a memory.

At least they can still keep rolling on the M & M Sub.

Thanks to David Stowe of Railfan & Railroad for the update.

Some Weathering for my Bowser SD40-2

After . . . .

I finally got around to weathering one of my new Bowser SD40-2 units. I use chalk for weathering, along with black water-based paint for the grills, fans and screens.

I use black, grey and brown chalk, with some orange for rust effects.

Now it looks like it has been working on the railroad!

Before (with grills painted).

Bowser SD40-2 Units on the M & M Sub.

Finally! Long after everyone else seems to have posted photos of Bowser's new SD40-2 unit, I received mine--and had some time between business trips to run them.

They run and look great, although I found them to be a bit finicky with my trackwork.

I will admit to not having the best trackwork, but it rarely gives me a problem.

But the two Bowser units seem to have more limited flexibility in their trucks than my other locomotives.

Places where one side of the track was lower than the other caused them to derail. A few shims fixed the problem.

Otherwise, they are great! And it was a real privilege to provide some very limited assistance to Lee English of Bowser along the way.

I ran my two units with a Kato and Athearn since I want to enjoy the great looking Bowser units at the head of trains, what with their working ditchlights and headlights.

Of course, they need a run through the weathering shop; but that will come later.

Rapido Southern Railway of British Columbia GMD-1

Business took me to Toronto again recently. With time between appointments, I dropped in at Credit Valley Railway, one of Canada's best model railroad stores.

The store has a great in-store layout. The day I was there, there was a Rapido Southern Railway of British Columbia GMD-1 on the track with a short train.

Like all Rapido products, it's a beautiful unit. It was made as special run for Pacific Western Rail Systems. 

First Drawings of Bowser SD40-2F Red Barn

Great news on the Bowser front for Canadian modellers! First, Bowser's new SD40-2 units are shipping, and the early reviews are great.

Second, Lee English of Bowser has released the first drawings of the upcoming SD40-2F Red Barn. He gave me permission to share them on this blog.

In a note, Lee said that "the only item not shown is the three front no-window, round window and square window. I do not plan to make a front without class lights."

I can't wait until my new SD40-2s show up, and until the Red Barns are released!

Read more about the Bowser Red Barn.

Update from Bowser about the Red Barn.
Red Barn Model Variations 
Bowser Announces Red Barn!
About CP Rail's Red Barns

Update From Bowser about the SD40-2, Red Barn, M636 & RS-3

I got the following message from Lee English of Bowser today about the new SD40-2s (and other units).

"The SD40-2s have shipped to us. They should arrive in Montoursville about 1-15-2016."

"I do not have any other news on the SD40-2F yet. It is still in the works but going slowly."

"On the M636, we are running the plastic parts now. We have most done and with the body and deck to go. I just bought another Roboshot injection molding machine so I can keep up with production."

"The RS-3 is coming along slowly. I have the chassis, trucks and a couple of fuel tanks about 90% done. The PGE, CP chop nose and the phase 3 are well along on the body. 

"I have changed my mind and will make the tooling for the RS-3 here in PA.This allows the mold to use a lot of inserts instead of making new sides for every variation."

"I am looking at the SD30 eco too. I am looking for a real one to measure. I will also will need a lot of original photos."

"Non Canadian project: The Alco C415 is 95% designed. It will go to tooling soon."

CP Rail SD40-2F Red Barn Update: Model Variations and Note from Lee English of Bowser

Earlier, when Bowser announced its Canadian-style SD40-2, I asked CEO Lee English if he planned to also do the CP Rail SD40-2F Red Barn.

The answer, back then in 2013, was no; he had no plans to bring out the distinctive and unique unit.

But then something changed. Today I asked Lee why.

He replied that it was partly because they already had the SD40-2 frame, and also because he knew Canadians would be interested in the model.

But here was also an element of whimsy, he said. 

Although he had initially decided against making the model, there was always a chance he would change his mind--as his staff will testify, he said.

"If I walk up to Scott or Rich (my researchers) and want to talk they will say 'Now what has changed?'

"One thing I learned working with my Dad is that the first idea is not always the right idea.  Also the second, third, fourth and more my not be good either."

As for me, I'm glad Lee's first idea not to make the SD40-2F wasn't his last idea!

In terms of the model itself, Lee says there will be two nose doors variations: One with port hole and one without. 

The horn locations will be by road numbers and there will be two paints schemes (CP Rail and Twin Flags). The three class lights will be individually controlled.

As for release date, they are aiming for 2016.

Photo credit Ron Wischer.

Update on Conrail 6408 Big Blue

There are no prizes for finishing fast in model railroading. So I take my time getting things done. Like adding details to Conrail 6408, an Athearn SD40-2.

I've had the unit for a number of years, but just never got around to adding the pilot, numberboards (using my simple word processing method) and weathering. But I had some time and inclination this week.

Now it looks like the other units on the layout--toned down and well-used.

How the unit used to look. That blue sure is bright!

This old blue box locomotive will never stand up against the newer offerings. But it does the job on the M & M Sub. And now it does it while looking even better.

Find more info about Conrail 6408 on the M & M Sub., and the end of big blue on Norfolk Southern, by clicking here.

Simple Number Boards, and Curiosity Satisfied

#7312, finally with number boards

It took awhile, but I finally got around to putting number boards on two units that had gone without them for far too long: 7312 and 1341.

I added the number boards using my simple word processing system. (If you have Word or any other word processing system, you can do it, too.)

Before the number boards were added.

After I added the number boards, I was curious about the prototypes. As it turns out, 7312 never wore CP Rail livery, and the 1341—an Athearn Blue Box staple—never existed at all.

As long-time readers of this blog know, absolute fidelity to the prototype is not a big concern for me. My goal with the M & M Sub. Is plausibility, not realism. I try to employ the “CPR principle:” C—context, P—probability, and R—records.

These two units fit two of the three criteria: They could have existed in that way at that time in that place. And event if these two units never existed in the real world, it doesn’t cause me to lose sleep at night.

In its heritage scheme

But what about the prototypes? As I noted, there didn’t seem to be any GP38-2 units in the 1300 series. But there was a real GP38-2 7312.

7312 was one of a number of ex-D&H locomotives acquired by CP Rail when it took over that railroad in 1991—right in my time frame.

It has an interesting history. Originally, it was owned by Lehigh Valley, before it went to D&H. It went next to Guilford, then back to D&H and to CP Rail.

CP Rail painted it in a D & H "lightning stripe" scheme as one of the units in its heritage series. It stayed in that scheme until 2000.

Upgraded and repainted, but without number boards.
(Photo from Canadian Railway Observations.)

Last year, 7312 was upgraded and overhauled to Tier 0+ compliance and repainted into modern CP livery. 

All very interesting, but on the M & M Sub. 7312 wears the Two-Flags scheme. Totally unprototypical, but at least it now has number boards!

VIA Rail and CP Rail Team Up To Pull Freight on the M & M Sub.

What--a VIA Rail FP40PH-2D pulling freight on CP Rail? Yes, and not just on my layout. In 1994-95 (the years I model), CP Rail leased a number of VIA units to haul freight trains. 

(See the John Reay photo of a leased VIA Rail unit leading a CP Rail eastbound at Newtonville, Ontario on Railpictures.ca for proof.)

So I thought I'd replicate that on the M & M Sub., using a couple of Athearn GP-38 units and a Spectrum unit. (Sorry, Jason; no Rapido Trains FP40PH-2 on my layout. At least, not yet.)

CN 2040: So Ugly, But I'm Not Going to Model It

Back in 2009, I wrote about how I found a CP unit so ugly I just had to model it.

During a recent trip to Fargo, ND, I came across CN Dash 8-40c 2040. It's also ugly, but I'm not going to model it.

Why? First off, it's CN, and I model CP Rail. Second, it's too modern for my 1990-1995 M & M Subdivision.

But it I did model modern CN, I think I'd want one of these on my roster. After all, I seem to have a thing for ugly and unusual units.

At least one person has modelled a couple of these unique units, albeit in a different "scheme." Ric Hamilton of Nova Scotia took a shot at modelling CN 2116 and 2121. I think he did a pretty good job. (Photos from the Diesel Detailer Forum.)

The units were part of a purchase by CN of 42 Dash 8-40c units from UP in 2013. A number of them entered service in spray paint, as in the photos above. Many have been repainted, as below--but not all, as my May, 2014 experience in Fargo shows.

Some background: The units were inherited from CNW by UP when it purchased that railroad and numbered from 9023-9064. When UP retired them in 2008 and 2009, they were sold to Citicorp Railmark and retained their UP livery and road number, with CREX on the cab sides.

Prior to being purchased by CN last year, they had been leased to CSX. (Thanks to Canadian Railway Observations for that information.)

As for my so-ugly-I-had-to-model-it unit, here it is, in all it's glory. And, yes, there is a prototype.

Rapido Trains Visits Winnipeg (Again), F40PH-2D, GMD-1, FPA-4 & LRC Locomotives in Tow

Luckily for those of us who live in Winnipeg, the in-laws of Jason Shron, founder and CEO of Rapido Trains, also live in this prairie city. This means that Jason and his family have to visit at least once a year, if not more--bringing great models with him.

This time Jason came bearing the new VIA F40PH-2D, LRC and FPA-4 and FPB-4 units, along with a CNR GMD-1 in the classic green and old scheme. (Sorry Jason; couldn't resist.)

The hosts for the most recent photo and video shoot was Walter Pankratz, who has built a great Canadian model railroad based on CPR operations in the 1950s.

We had a great time posing Rapido's new units at various locations on Walter's layout, and helping Jason make a new video.

A few more photos of these great-looking and great-running products are below.

Walter Pankratz and his brother, Ed, and Jason Shron.