Early Spring 2025
I’ve been a bit slow on the blog these past few days; but I am back at it again. Working on several projects and trying to get these items to their destinations; as well as providing room for new projects that arrive weekly. The weather hasn’t helped, either…as we seemed to have moved from ice and snow storms right to severe wind and tornadoes lately. However, I am happy to report the progress being made on several fronts as I continue to figure things out as the year is in full swing and approaching Spring.
Newest project (MoPac GP15-1 #1577; UP paint w/Missouri Pacific Lettering) is near completion and almost ready to send to great friend Jerel Eames. I had a few refinements that I wanted to make and am presently adding the lighting features to the model. This GP15-1 will feature illuminated number boards; classification lights; and ground/truck lights. It has Soundtraxx Tsumami2 Sound installed; with Scale Sound Systems’ speakers; custom paint and decals; and custom handrails. It has a crew installed; and has the Pacific Western Rail MU hoses and magnetic receptacles installed. Truly my best engine yet (In my opinion); and I have three more in the works. These will be Jenks Blue, however.
Athearn’s new GP15-1’s arrived a few weeks ago; and are superb models as well. They have all the lighting features described above (except the truck lights); but I expect those will be coming soon on a future run. I am awaiting the new speakers from Scale Sound Systems that are designed for the new version of the GP15-1 with the rear number boards lit up. I am then going to pull an old Rail yard Models’ Caboose from the back stock and begin on it; it will have lights; and Soundtraxx Sound-car installed. It likewise has custom steps and end railings. The car will be a top of the line caboose model.
I am busy preparing the MPHS project for completion; as I have about 3 F units left to repaint. The engines will be available from Doc’s Caboose in Kansas City, MO; and on the MPHS website. There are 6 consecutive road numbers for these units; with custom decals done by PDC.CA. I look forward to getting started on the next Jenks Blue GP15-1 in my fleet; as I continue to rebuild the older versions now to match the current standards. It’s a never-ending cycle of tail-wagging-the-dog!!!
The Rapido C36-7’s look fantastic and I am eagerly awaiting them; as well as SD50’s from Athearn…I am hopeful to see ScaleTrains HO scale MoPac SD40-2’s in the near future, as well as a new run of MoPac quad hoppers from ExactRail/ScaleTrains…as I continue to attempt to rebuild the fleet with a solid focus now on the West Frankfort IL region and MoPac operations. I am likewise awaiting the new Bowser SD40’s and look forward to their arrival as well. MoPac will use these 6 axle units to ferry coal loads from West Frankfort to Salem (staging) and points north; while bringing empty coal hoppers to West Frankfort for loading. Athearn Genesis CA-10 and CA-11 cabooses will be used in conjunction with the MP cars on these movements.
I am getting closer on both Saline Creek Trestle and Grasshopper Creek trestle projects; as Stewart Graham has delivered the trusses; and we are currently working on the towers for Saline Creek…We are also working on a cab conversion with the Bachmann 2-8-0 to make a reasonable model of CO&E #17. This consists of a Canadian cab and a high-visibility tender; and I’ll entrust Bill Brillinger at PDA.CA with the decals of this engine. I’ll use the TCS WOW sound kit for the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0; as I highly recommend these for steam installs. You can likewise use their motherboard only; which is a drop-in replacement; and the 21 pin decoder of your choice.
The Sedalia caboose project is under way as well; as I am in the process of getting field measurements for this caboose and hope we can offer it in all phases (1949-1989). This was MoPac’s standard car until it was replaced by the ICC Wide Vision caboose; and I will be obtaining the necessary measurements to bring this car to market finally in an accurate 1/87.1 replica.
Looking forward to the Spring temperatures; but not the severe weather that comes with it. However, this is the way it goes in the Southern Illinois region…Please take care and be safe!!!
