(Dirty) Sweep on Beaverbrook...
Several months ago I finished the ex Canadian National ‘SWEEP’ SW1200RM from a Kaslo kit. In the months that have passed it has seldom not been on Beaverbrook - is this the perfect model for this layout?
When TerraTransport sold its rail operations in the maritimes to Genesee and Wyoming many thought the days of trains on Beaverbrook were done. The green machines that plied these rails in the years after CN served us well, and whilst we shed tears when they were gone, the variety of units that newcomer HMLX has brought to the operation is both a surprise and a gift.
It certainly has presence and character - and it runs well thanks to the Proto Alco S2 chassis hidden beneath - but there is something about the 567 prime mover fitted with 645 power assemblies, especially in 12 cylinder form that sounds a little flat compared to a GP9. I'm not sure I can remember hearing one of these in the flesh mind, either the GP9 or SW1200 - I certainly saw Canadian Pacific examples in 1989 in Calgary and Vancouver - but it's a long long long time ago - so this reflection on sound is purely subjective. I prefer the straight 16 cylinder 567 - making the HMLX GP9 top dog (at present).
Beaverbrook has settled into a nice pattern of operation.
These scenes captured on various dates show the steady procession of loads in, empties out of the Co-op feed mill - happily a solid customer that keeps this section of line alive - though for how much longer, rumour has it PiCement is pulling out of rail on Beaverbrook so the days of watching the Sweep wrestling a few heavy cement cars on wet spring mornings, greasy rails and a whole heap of throttle may be soon a thing of the past. Let us be thankful that the only thing certain in life is change, and with it comes opportunity.
So whilst we may soon be mourning the loss of cement traffic, continuing to enjoy the patched ex CN livery on 7106 the rumour is one of HMLXs larger units may soon call Beaverbrook home - an ex IC GP11 is the only unit on their roster carrying the corporate black and tan livery - that sure will be an unusual sight here on our lowly short line in New Brunswick.
You never know what is around the corner.
Until next time, more soon...
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I love obscure Canadian locos. I tried to make a GMD-1 out of a pair of Athearn SW1500 bodies when I was a teenager. It was very rough and ready though! I'm not sure what the chassis was underneath, definitely another Athearn model though. They were so cheap and reliable. My true interest was Cornish china clay but the Lima locos were like racing cars compared to my GP38-2 and I only had about 6ft of baseboard to play with. I enjoyed repainting, weathering and adding extra bits onto the basic Athearn body shells, something I've never done with British models that I've owned. Good work as ever James, I love the narrative that all your layouts and models have, something I've yet to achieve in my railway modelling. Take care
ReplyDeleteTom what lovely personal reflections, connections too… I learnt my craft on Lima diesels in the 90s but the Athearn blue box kits were a game changer. I loved making Canadian specific locomotives from these cheap and easy kits… and thank you, story telling can be subconscious. What I like to do is to share these on the hope that this can help others distill their own. Best, James
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