Hilton Mears Leasing GE44T…

The other week I shared this model in its raw form, modified and unpainted, now is the time to unveil its finished appearance…

Based upon the aging Bachmann 44t I’ve reworked the base model inspired by an ex USAF 80t switcher. The combination of heavier truck frames with roller bearing journals, cut away skirts (with fuel and air tank detail added) and window shades totally changes the look of the model, and combined with the revised headlights and added handrails and handles, lifts the overall effect nicely. That same prototype lent mine it’s colours, a faded blue with dark blue patches over the original numbers. I even copied the style of lettering and created some custom water slide decals…

So Hilton Mears Leasing? Last December Chris and I shared a few emails back and forth and over the past twelve months we’ve enjoyed our trans-Atlantic conversation. So 12-20 is December 2020, HM obviously and LX is a typical leasor end for the reporting mark. Whether it’s shuffling cars on Beaverbrook or perhaps one day serving Manheim’s Propane dealer, the model not only has been fun to create but holds and captures and important emotional connection to our hobby.

It’s easy to dismiss the important of this in modelling, but if we consider this an ‘art’ then it is a critical element. I’m really happy with this composition of imagined and reality, getting the balance on a made up model like this one is a careful blend of prototype inspiration and the eye of the creator.

I hope that this has given you ideas of how you can bring part of yourself in your modelling in any small way, I’d love to hear what you think as well, please get in touch or leave a comment. In the meantime, more soon…