Friday, March 30, 2018

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.



Thursday, March 29, 2018

Caboose 975

Cape Ann caboose 975 in the Phase 2 paint scheme. This style caboose is usually used on transfer runs between yards. Cabooses are required on all Cape Ann trains except for local freight 61/62, the Kenton Turn - which usually has a small consist and the presence of a caboose complicates switching moves.





Caboose 978

Cape Ann caboose 978, in the current Phase 2 paint scheme. This style caboose is generally used on the longer interchange runs, and any run up through Cascade Pass.


Caboose 907


Cape Ann Caboose 907, still wearing the Phase 1 paint scheme. Like all non-revenue equipment, it carries a road number in the 900 series.


Conrail 493048

Conrail 493048, a Thrall-door boxcar, is spotted at Precision Tool Corporation in Marias Industrial Park. 


This is a Life-Life, originally Illinois Terminal. It has had a repaint and decal job, and some light weathering.

Alco 1000 273

Alco 1000 273 is seen parked outside the Bolton Maintenance Facility. The blue lanterns indicate it is being serviced and cannot be moved. Cape Ann's switchers tend to just be renumbered over their existing paint job, since they are considered not as visible as road engines. It may eventually get repainted in Cape Ann colors, but then again it may not.


This is an AHM. The odd road number indicates it is unpowered, so it is just here for scenic effect.

GP-18 628

GP-18 628 is seen in Kenton Yard.


For freight service, the Cape Ann has standardized on the AHM GP-18 for low cost, availability, and ease of maintenance. They are readily available used on eBay.

U36B LLPX 6002

Here is GE U36-B from Locomotive Leasing Partners, carrying road number LLPX 6002. The Cape Ann resorts to leased power when needed. Photo taken at Pamola siding.



This is a Bachmann unit, picked up on eBay for 99 cents, no other bidders. It has had a repaint and decal job, and directional LEDs added. It has the stock pancake motor.

GP38-2 878

GP38-2 878 is seen idling at Kenton. This is a Life-Like.





Numbering scheme

Here is the numbering scheme used for all Cape Ann rolling stock. Locomotives also use this convention: powered units have even road numbers, dummies or slugs carry odd road numbers. 

FromToTypeComment
199passenger, non-revenueCape Ann business use
100199passenger, revenue 
200299locomotive, switcher or FMyard or pusher service
300599locomotive, F seriespassenger service
600799locomotive, GP-18 seriesfreight service
800899locomotive, GP-20 and later seriesfreight service
900999non-revenuecaboose, maintenance of way, utility, and stationary
10001999freightflatcar
20002999freightgondola
30003999freighttank
40004999freightbox
50005999freightrefrigerator, perishables, livestock
60006999freighthopper, open
70007999freighthopper, closed
80009999 reserved for future use

Blog split!

Welcome! This is a new blog to focus on a just tour of photos and descriptions of my HO scale railroad and rolling stock, the Cape Ann Rail System, set (and actually located) in Maine. The time machine is stuck on 1981. 

This blog has split off from my other blog, The Model Railroad Luddite. That blog will now exclusively focus on ideas for low-cost or no-cost model railroading, and keeping the hobby simple and non-technical. Hope you will follow both and enjoy! - Rick



Conrail hoppers at Marias




A couple of Conrail hoppers seen at Marias Industrial Park. Conrail cars are common on the system as it has a direct interchange.

These are Tyco cars after a repaint, decals, and weathering.

Glen Cove Fuels and the ex-flatcar bridge

Glen Cove Fuels is the local fuel dealer. The two 3-bay tanks allow storage of six different fuel blends. The tanks are from junked tank cars, and they rest on a Bachmann 89' auto rack frame which has been cut in half.

Receiving a shipment of new, empty propane tanks. 40' flat is a Tyco, tanks are scratchbuilt.



Here is the single-lane bridge made from an out-of-service flatcar, on a service road heading to the Glen Cove Maintenance lot. We see Glen Cove Fuels in the background.

Kimball's Campground


Kimball's Campground offers tent and trailer sites. There is an in-ground pool, and beach swimming by crossing the footbridge over the Cape Ann's yard approach track. Railfans find excellent views of yard traffic entering and departing Davis Yard, as well as mainline action on the double-tracked main beyond. Activity at Quinn Intermodal can also be seen from many of the sites as well as the footbridge.

Freights rumble past the rear of the campsites - an unpleasant surprise for those expecting peace and quiet.


Office and bath house.


Railfans line the footbridge while significant others enjoy the pool.

Quinn Intermodal Facility is just across the tracks.


Here we are at Kimball's Beach, as a Cape Ann passenger train passes under the pedestrian footbridge on its way to Davis. The footbridge allows campers from Kimball's Campground to get to their sandy beach without having to cross the tracks.

Cascade curve


Cab-eye view of Cascade curve as we leave Pamola and start the long 3% downgrade to Kenton. Just ahead is Cascade shelter, a small flag stop primarily used by sportsmen.

A Canadian guest




Look at a map and you will find the most direct route between Quebec and New Brunswick is straight through Maine. VIA Rail runs its passenger service through Maine, travelling on Cape Ann rails part of the way.

This VIA Rail consist was made as a low-cost project, and totalled $40.52 for the loco and passenger cars. Read the details on the build here.

Competition at Glen Cove


Glen Cove Junction is where the line (left) from Davis Yard and Marias Industrial Park meets the line from Cape Ann (right). There is always some excitement each morning to see who gets the go-ahead from dispatch to enter the junction en route for Kenton first.

If things go as planned, the morning commuter train Angus King, seen here powered by two F7A's, will get into Kenton first to keep on schedule. However, this day it is running late and train 60, the Merchant Express, led by two GP-18's, gets the go-ahead.