866 arrives from the UP

GP40 866 was recently acquired from the Union Pacific, and was placed into service immediately. There was no time for a trip to the paint shop, so the UP name was painted over and CAPE ANN quickly applied. It retains the original 866 road number, as that number was not in use on the Cape Ann anyway.

Amtrak Downeaster at Kenton

The Amtrak Downeaster operates between Brunswick, ME and Boston MA, in push-pull configuration. There is a conventional locomotive on one end. There is a “cabbage” (control/baggage) car on the other end, which is a FP40 body with the prime mover removed, and replaced with a rollup door to serve as a baggage car. 

The model Amtrak Downeaster is seen here on the Cape Ann. Like the prototype, it operates in push-pull.  FP40 229 is the powered loco, and dummy FP40 381 on the other end has been converted to a cabbage car by adding the rollup door on one side. Wires run between 229 and all other cars to light the passenger cars, and the lighting on 381. Each loco is also equipped with a red marker between the number boards, lit when the unit is trailing. 

FP45's on The Acadian

Rail fans line the footbridge at Kimball’s Campground to catch a view of Cape Ann FP45’s 400 and 404 coming around the curve at Cascade with The Acadian in tow. The footbridge allows campers access to the river and beach without having to cross the tracks in the foreground. 

The Cape Ann Cannonball

The Cape Ann Cannonball is a single coach providing passenger service attached to train 61/62, the mid-day Kenton Turn as it switches customers between Davis and Kenton. 

The Cannonball departs Davis Yard daily at noon, with stops* at Maris, Hammond, Cape Ann, and Glen Cove; arriving at Kenton generally around 2:00 PM. It then reverses direction, making the same stops, before returning to Davis generally by 4:30 PM. This is provided as a mid-day transportation option during the period when only freight traffic is running.

Passengers are advised this is no-frills transportation - there is no power available, no food service, and the only published time is departure from Davis Yard daily at noon. All arrivals down the line will depend on switching needs and may vary widely from day to day. Frequent stops will occur while freight cars are switched at industries along the way. Passengers should inquire at their local station, where the agent can advise expected arrival times.

While there is no food service on board, the train holds at Kenton where a cafe is available at the station and several takeout options are nearby.

*all stops on the Cannonball are considered flag stops. Train may not stop unless passengers are boarding or departing.

LCL Handling

Kenton Freight Forwarders handles all LCL (Less then CarLoad) shipments, as well as 20' containers. (40' containers are handled at a separate facility, Quinn Intermodal Terminal).

Big Hook 932

Cape Ann’s big hook 932 is now in service (not that we have that many derailments!). This is a Tyco crane which was originally lettered for Santa Fe. The Santa Fe roadname was dissolved with some alcohol, and the original red paint kept, but faded with a lighter wash. The 932 decal was added, and the doors painted a darker shade, and the windows glazed. The frame and crane arm were brush painted a dark grey then given a black wash and a rust wash. (All washes are acrylic craft paint thinned with 50% isopropyl alcohol).

click to enlarge

The Oasis

The Oasis is a (real) bar in Shelby, Montana. It is one of our favorite sights when passing through town on the Empire Builder.

Bar, casino, dancing, live bait, hunting and fishing licenses!

So of course, we needed our own Oasis on the layout. Here it is. It is not an exact duplicate, but pretty close to get the flavor. 

Fortunately, I was able to find a photo of the building taken from exactly in front, which allowed me to resize and print out the two signs easily.

Here it is in context, located in Kenton, between the Kenton Motel and the Diner.

Just like the real world, every railroad station must have a bar close by!

Cape Ann station

Passengers are awaiting The Acadian at Cape Ann station.

VIA Alouette stops in Cape Ann

VIA's Alouette stops in Cape Ann twice a week. (The most direct route from Montréal to Nova Scotia is right though Maine, so this is a regular event).

Passengers await VIA's Alouette

FP9 4708 leads the Alouette

Dome 827, Chanleur Falls