Saturday, November 12, 2011

Modelling a CN auxiliary crane

My previous post on the 1993 derailment at Mi 180 Kingston Sub reminded me of the modelling I'd done after viewing the derailment clean-up. Over the next year, I kitbashed/painted/decalled a new 7-car auxiliary train. First of all, I'd decided it was time to modernize my HO scale CN auxiliary, bringing it up to date from CN's basic black scheme of earlier years.
To do so, I brush-painted my Athearn 200-ton auxiliary crane in CN's striking, high-visibility scheme with orange sides, silver roof, yellow deck and broad black & white stripes on both ends. I also added some details to the roof: air horn, spotlight and a muffler. Opposite side:
I also thought CN 60329, the idler car was neat and modelled it as well. Of course, 50016's boom needed a prototypical resting place, as well as providing a place for the crew to get out of the weather if needed.Details I added to 60329 (not sure why I decalled it 60239) included rerail frogs, yellow-painted ladders, smokejacks, lighting along the deck, deck-mounted fuel tank and various supplies such as blocking timbers and chains carefully stowed and ready for use. My car is unweathered, and does not include those interesting cutout sections on the side of the flatcar deck, no doubt for additional storage. CN engine 5595 is seen switching the auxiliary train, a common occurrence that would take place in the siding nearest the derailment, to place the train's cars in the order needed for the job at hand. Clothes dryer/generator car CN 43699 provides power and creature comforts to the train and its crew:
A tool/cable car was also included in the 1993 consist. I used VIA 9070, a Con-Cor baggage car I'd picked up for this project. I cut out one door, adding a crew member who is retrieving some important piece of equipment from the car, which would also carry cables and slings for special lifts. Underbody details include timbers for blocking the auxiliary outriggers and more rerail frogs. Rerail frogs are heavy. You can never have enough of them, and they need to be readily available and stored as close to track level as possible.
Another crew member keeps an eye on the passing scenery on the idler car. I lettered both these cars for the 'Winnipeg Auxiliary' with CDS VIA car lettering. This was before my reading-glasses era.
Of course the full auxiliary train needs to be filled out with more cars: accommodation, dining, lighting, track panels, trucks and axles and more. Click on the Derailments tag in my right sidebar to find more derailment posts including auxiliary train consists I've observed in action.

6 comments:

Robert in Port Townsend said...

Great modeling display! Work trains are an interesting hybrid. Depending on the assignment, locomotive power may be at either end or middle of the consist. Most Rule books I have state a 30 MPH speed limit.

During my teen years in Prince Rupert, work trains were common during the winter. Seldom was a Big Hook sent. The work train left town with a Lidgerwood in tow.

At the nearest loop track to the wreck, the Lidgerwood and Steam Generator Car where jockeyed around and pushed to the wreck site.

The Lidgewood strong armed equipment to last piece of good rail, and yanking it back onto the track with frogs.

Eric said...

Hi Robert,

I'm a fan of rolling stock, both prototype and model, and maintenance-of-way is of special interest to me. Indeed, The Big Hook and its accompanying train is a necessary but hopefully infrequently called-out event.

Haven't seen a Lidgerwood in person, only photos. Definitely a question of using the right tool for the job!

Thanks for your comment,
Eric

Zartok-35 said...

Ah the auxilliary! I've always wanted to model one of these, so this post is a nice surprise! Rather timely aswell; I recently finished working on a MOW tankcar.

I like your GP38-2W, or 'Kitten', if you need another one of my monikers. I need one of those, too!

Eric said...

Thanks for your comments, Elijah. That 'kitten' was an Atlas unit I added a widecab to.

I've seen white, silver, orange and black MOW tankcars on CN, and black ones on CP. Although the auxiliary trains I've seen didn't include tank cars, any boarding train or work train should.

I'm always interested in your CN diesel monikers. Have you got any more?

Eric

Zartok-35 said...

More monikers? Let's see...
The striped GP9 and GMD-1 rebuilds could be called "Black-capped Chickadees", because of their blackened cabs. I've heard CN SD40-2Ws reffered to as "ThunderCows".

Eric said...

Like these, Elijah. Hey, you're in the same group of people who came up with other monikers like "cab-forwards", "F-units" or "blind mice", those CN cab window-blanked F's that I intend to post in future.

Thanks for your comment,
Eric