Model Railroading > Weekly dose of BC Rail

Been working on and weathering up a few more of my HO scale BC Rail models. Wednesday night saw the first serious fire runs for two more Bowser units and a Rapido! Bowser GMD SD40-2 #766 with white markers (probably should have flags for daylight...), Rapido DASH 8-40CM #4619, and Bowser C630M #702 (4th out). The third motor, Bowser C630M # 703 has been successfully hauling freight for years now.

On to the photos!

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Train is loosely modeling 1989-1990. The old Alcos (retired in 1989-1990) and bran-spanking new DASH 8s (delivered in April 1990 and later) would have just barely seen each other in real life. So to kinda help blur the plausibility, I'm keeping the Draper-taper rather clean comparatively. There were several red/white/blue alcos that did mix in with the DASH 8s, but they were the slightly newer canadian built M630/Ws. We're waiting Bowser...
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/20 23:11 by MrMRL.

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The 4619 still needs several things done to it. You may notice it's missing a horn (Cal-scale brass part is in the mail). Also needs pilot details added including MU hoses, air lines, and rock-lights. I have replaced the sand hatches with smaller more correct profiled details from Details Associates, and lowered the exhaust a couple inches.

* Last pic is just for all the ditch light lovers out there.


Slightly larger images also posted here...
https://pbase.com/mrmrl/bc_rail_action


~ Mr. BCR



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/20 05:25 by MrMRL.

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Wow, they don't spare any lights - quad lights in addition to the twin headlight.  Don't forget your dark glasses!

SPDRGWfan Wrote:
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> Wow, they don't spare any lights - quad lights in
> addition to the twin headlight.  Don't forget
> your dark glasses!

Being totaly honest here, the extra lights down below was one of the main reasons I've gravitated towards modeling the BC Rail. That and the more recent expansion of quality BC Rail models on the market. Got to dig into my Rapido B36-7 next!

~ Mr. MRL

What a great looking layout!  What size is it overall?  The trestle is amazing.

Great models!

Regards, Jim Evans

Diggin' it!

SantaFeRuss

BLKMTN Wrote:
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> What a great looking layout!  What size is it
> overall?  The trestle is amazing.

The HO scale double deck (mushroom style) layout is about 20' by 70' in a room roughly 25' by 75'. 12' high ceilings allow for the added height between levels without the need/use of a helix. The layout boasts just over 543 feet of mainline rail or 8.95 HO scale miles between the two levels. Established in 1984, the California Southern Model Railroad Club is located in Norwalk, CA. This is the club's second HO scale layout, construction started in 1997, upgraded with Digitrax DCC in early 2008.  www.CaliforniaSouthern.org

~ Mr. MRL

Thanks, Mr MRL for the details on the layout and  to all the Club members for their outstanding work.

Lookin’ good!

Posted from iPhone

MrMRL Wrote:
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> Train is loosely modeling 1989-1990. The old Alcos (retired in 1988-1989) and bran-spanking new DASH 8s (delivered in April 1990 or later) never would
> have seen each other in real life.

MR MRL:
Actually, in 1990 there were several months of overlap between the 6 Motor MLW fleet and the Dash 8's.
The GE's came to the railway in May of 1990 and the first group of Twenty one C and M-630's were shipped off to Erie by the end of the summer.
Eight 630's (C-630M #702, M-630's 706-710-715-719-720 and M-630W's 723 and 726) lasted until the end of the year.

I have a few photos of MLW's and GE's in consists together. Here is one such image - Possibly the only time that an M-630 led a GE.

The GE's were delivered to Prince George via CN. There they were set up and crews began to train on them. A couple weeks after delivery, 4601 was ferried (off line) down to Squamish for a big unveiling ceremony. Best laid plans and all that. As it happened, the second unit in the consist, MLW M630 #707 cracked a crankshaft on the way. The train limped into Lillooet and there it was decided that the 4601 would need to be brought on line from the run over the tough grades of the Squamish Subdivision.This shot was taken at Gates Lake with M630's 710 and 707 (DIC) leading the 4601 on train number 14.

I am sure it must have happened at least a few other times before the M's were retired, but this was the only time I ever saw MLW's leading the GEs.A few days later, 4601 would be the star of the show at the unveiling ceremony at Squamish. The MLW's would be off the line by the end of the year. The 710 and 707 went to Mexico to work on the Pacifico for a couple of years before being retired and scrapped there.
Brian E

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That's outstanding information Brian, with the pixels to prove it! Thank you.


~ Mr. BCR

MrMRL Wrote:
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> That's outstanding information Brian, with the
> pixels to prove it! Thank you.
>
>
> ~ Mr. BCR

Happy to help

Ren and Stimpy animation studios in the third photo? Oh joy!
JG

Looks like MrMRL gets to add Athearn G2 BCR Dash-9CWL's to the roster! Should be a good loco in the consist. 

Mike ONeill
Parker, CO

Looks amazing!
 

Very nice..!!