Projects for January 2019

Greetings and welcome to an extra edition of the Ralston Creek Railroad Blog. This post will cover some projects to kickoff the New Year. Custom painting in these parts can be a challenge during the Winter months. I was able to get a number of items in primer this weekend. Hard to say when the weather will provided another window of opportunity. Tomorrow is supposed to be snow and below freezing temperatures. Poor PC Ralph's neighborhood is going to feel like the Arctic Circle compliments of the Polar Vortex brewing north of the border. He'll be starting and finishing his painting by August.

First up is an Athearn F7B that was rescued from the Purgatory Box. I've had several ideas for this shell. Rio Grande "Bumble Bee" scheme, Penn Central "Black Dip". Finally remembered my Rock Island F7A in the red and yellow "Speed Lettering" scheme did not have a partner unit. Hands down the Red &Yellow Speed Letting scheme is my favorite of the Rock Island's many paint styles.

In time, I hope to have my shell painted up like this prototype photo of a classic Rock Island F7B.

My next project is a LV Northeastern style caboose. I picked up this vintage gem at a local train show for the princely sum of one Dollar. John R. did such a nice job on his PC #18423. I found this picture of sister PC #18422. Another classic scheme to add to the collection of ex-LV style cabooses.  

Penn Central #18422 bringing up the rear of a Penn Central freight in the 1970's.

A pair of Roundhouse three bay hoppers ready to serve as H39 class hoppers on the Penn Central.

Penn Central and Conrail H39 hoppers covered by the Highball Graphics decal sheet.

One of my all time favorite classes of boxcars. You can never have enough X58 boxcars on the roster.

I can only hope my vintage Athearn X58 looks anywhere as nice as this Tangent X58.

Next up is a pair of Tyco 60ft Hi-Cube boxcars. I plan to add them to my auto part shipment fleet.

I plan to paint my X59 class cars in similar schemes as these Micro Train examples. I really like the looks of the Pennsy patch model. Of course the classic PC scheme looks sharp as well.

Next up is a trio of Penn Central 100 ton H43D class open hoppers. Classic coal haulers for the roster.

PC Ralph and John R. recently showcased several H43D's on P.C.C.M 55 using the Highball Graphics decal sheet shown above. I'll have to follow suit and use some of their fine decals.

Some lucky scores at Caboose Hobbies. I found a pair of Bowser PC H21 class 70 ton hoppers.

Also found a P&LE outside braced boxcar by Accurail. Looks like this paint scheme was introduced late in the Penn Central era. Might have to adjust the time period slightly to fit my PC roster.

Thanks for reading and I plan to provide updates on the progress for these continuing projects. Take care and stay warm. Ralph if the electricity is still working, take a snow day and run some trains.😄

P.C.C.M. 56 Penn Central - New Haven Merger Tribute.

Greetings and welcome to P.C.C.M. 56! The associated P.C.C.M. railroads are marking the 50th Anniversary of the Penn Central and New Haven Railroad Merger 1/1/1969. My collection of New Haven equipment is very limited in size and scope. But I'll be a good sport and celebrate the anniversary.

For a more complete celebration check out the other P.C.C.M. 56 blogs on the following links.

 NYCTL PCCM 56  has John R's tribute to the Penn Central/ New Haven Merger.

Kings Port Division PCCM 56  has Ralph's tribute to the Penn Central/New Haven Merger.

A.P.R.R. PCCM 56  has Neal's tribute to the Penn Central/New Haven Merger.

LF&NW PCCM 56  has John B's tribute to the Penn Central/New Haven Merger.

Our tribute starts hundreds of miles from the former New Haven rails. Here we catch an eastbound freight rolling across the farmland of northwestern Ohio. Out on this side of the PC system it's business as usual. This train has departed Elkhart, IN and is headed to Selkirk, NY.

 Leading our train is GP38 #2010, making its P.C.C.M. debut. 2010 was originally ordered for subsidiary PRSL. Power short Penn Central "borrowed" several new GP38's that were originally intended for the PRSL. The PRSL had to continue using their worn out Baldwin switchers.

The next unit in our train is a tried and true GP40 #3075. Adding 3000 HP to the front end power.

Already part of the Penn Central network, this New Haven boxcar is patched with a new PC road number and ACI label added. This 40ft boxcar has avoided the 50ft extension rebuild program.

Following the New Haven car is a newer Santa Fe high cube car headed to a appliance manufacturer.

A Katy double door boxcar loaded with automobile parts from a Chicago based manufacturer.

Next up is a Penn Central gondola ready to haul another load of steel or scrap. 

 Here we have a Grand Trunk Western 40ft boxcar loaded with machine parts from Michigan.

Another New Haven 40ft boxcar in the classic McGinnis paint scheme with a black door???

A "Big Mike" favorite, "Snow Bird" scheme on a Lehigh Valley boxcar. Headed back to home rails.

Another parent borrowed piece of equipment headed back from the Illinois coal fields.

Along for the ride with the EBRR hopper, we see a Rock Island car that wandered east from Illinois.

A Canadian National boxcar loaded with paper products headed to U.S. East Coast markets. 

Another classic New Haven McGinnis 40ft boxcar, with the correct orange door on it. 

A GERN industries covered hopper heading back for another load of cement flux.

A classic Burlington 50ft boxcar loaded with paper products. Soon to be painted in BN green.

A former Southern Bay Window caboose brings up the rear in its new PC green paint scheme.

Not much of an offering for a New Haven inspired tribute, but a simple recognition of January 1969 and the merger of the New Haven railroad into the Penn Central system. Thanks for reading!!!