Conrail interchange power

The Conrail interchange run usually occurs in the dead of the night, but here we have a daylight photo of the usual power on the interchange. GP40 3072 assisted by a vintage F9A 2975, seen here rolling past the lumber yard at Kenton.

Cape Ann HQ

It's not too hard to find the general offices of the Cape Ann. Especially at night.

VIA Rail 4708

The shortest route between Montreal and the Maritime provinces is right through Maine, so we see VIA Rail passenger trains often. Here VIA F9 4708 leads the consist. 

This loco, and its consist, were a project I worked for a model railroad group to see how low-cost a full passenger train could be modelled. This loco and its 4 car consist came in at $40.52 by buying used and repainting. Here is an article on exactly how it was done.

MEC in the hole at Pamola

Here we see the Maine Central interchange run just clearing the signals at Pamola siding. This is a runaround siding, so next the loco will cut off, run around the train, grab the caboose, and head back the way it came.

MEC caboose 5036 is a Tyco, from my original train set when I was kid, so it is about 50 years old now. It was originally silver and lettered for Southern Pacific. Here is an article on how it was upgraded. Here is an article on how the block signals were scratchbuilt.

CR 21105 with pulpwood load

Conrail 21105 is seen rolling through Cascade with a load of pulpwood logs.

This car is a Tyco bulkhead flat which has been repainted for Conrail. The log load was painted in more realistic colors than the original pumpkin orange. First the entire load was painted dark brown, almost black, so the spaces between logs would be dark. Then it was brush painted with a couple shades of lighter browns.

CP Rail 4128, 4566

CP Rail F9 locos 4128 and 4566 pose side by side at Kenton Yard. They periodically show up on the interchange runs coming in from the north. 

The Bachmann F9 is a "standardized" loco on the layout, due to wide availability, low cost, and ease of maintenance. These retain their stock pancake motors, and have been painted and decaled, and constant-intensity LED headlights added.

Western Pacific 17653

Western Pacific 17653 is looking dry and dusty, and a long way from home rails on this late afternoon. Train 63, the Merchant Express, is creeping down the 3% grade from Cascade to Kenton Junction with brakes squealing. This train had two F7As back to back on the point. The crew will be keeping their eyes open, as a known hobo camp is just ahead at the next curve, and the slow moving train is a tempting target for a free ride into Kenton - especially when the crew is facing the low setting sun.

17653 is a rebuilt and repainted Tyco.