Modeling a specific prototype: Shapeways makes it possible to model a BQ23-7

I have always been interested in rare or different looking locomotives.  My personal favorite locomotive is the unique CF7.  Another odd and ugly looking locomotive is the BQ23-7.  The
BQ23-7 would actually set the standard for wide cab locomotives that we see today.  The Q stood for quarters which could comfortably house the crew of the train without a caboose.  As we know, the caboose's days were numbered.    It was mainly a different cab for a standard B23-7. The SCL ordered 10 of the BQ23-7's in the late 1970's.  They went to CSX through the merger in the mid 1980's and remained with CSX until the late 1990's.   As you might know, the BQ23-7 did not catch on and were actually considered dangerous by CSX.  They were rated to only trail position, reclassified as B units and even had their windows plated over.

The 10 BQ23-7's were all in FLS paint and were originally numbered 5130-5139 (Photo by Raymond Stewart RRpicturesarchives.net)

Windows plated over and rated as a B unit.  (Photo by Ken Roble  RRpicturesarchives.net)

CSX paint.  (Photo by Sam Beck RRpicturesarchives.net)

#3001B  (Photo by Richard Gorddard Beck RRpicturesarchives.net)

To model this locomotive, you have a few choices: a expensive OMI brass one (did see one for $300 one time) or the terrible Bachmann one from the 1990's.  They even painted one Chessie!  Enter Shapeways.  Shapeways is the a 3D printing company that's been around for a few years.  I accidentally stumbled on a N scale BQ23-7 cab while browsing the Shapeways offerings.  Of course this did not help me.  I emailed the producer and asked if he planning on making a HO one.  He promptly emailed me back that he was.  I finally could produce a quality BQ23-7 without a complete scratchbuild or breaking the bank.  Atlas produces the B23-7 now so one could be easily made. Shapeways has many different things for the HO modeler like complete freight cars, vehicles and tiny detail parts. Make sure you check out their  model trains page.  You just might find what your looking for!

The Shapeways BQ23-7 cab

Another view.  Primer gray has been added

Atlas undecorated B23-7

The shell fits right on the shell.

End of August update You Tube video

Here's an update video on my progress on the layout this summer:

Railfanning this week: The Buckingham Branch video

In this video, we find the BB running on their original line, from Dillwyn, VA to New Canton, VA. At New Canton, they shove over the James River to CSX's Strathmore Yard for interchange.  The caboose is for the shove all the way back to Dillwyn on the 17 mile return trip.  The BB is the largest short line in the state of Virginia and got their start here.

Throwback Thursday: August 27th 2015

These are from a 2008 railfanning trip to the Cumberland, MD, Grafton, WV area with my good friend Gary Mullis.  The shots below are from the South Branch Valley Railroad in eastern WV.  They run a route from Oldtown, WV (interchange w/ CSX) near Cumberland, MD and it runs south to Petersburg, WV.  Like most shortlines, they have some different power.  Beside having a B&O Chessie system GP9, they have their own paint scheme on a couple SD9's.  It's definitely like going back a few decades when seeing their usual assortment of power. 

SBVR #6240 GP9 (Ex B&O and C&O)

SBVR SD9 #180 (EX-DMIR)

Chesapeake Valley Sweeteners is getting close

This week has been a fun week for me, modeling wise.  CVS has been a fun build but a time consuming build.  I've got to the point to where I'm going to call it done.  Needs a base and some other details.  Did the weathering yesterday with alcohol washes and some powders.  I'm ready to put some scenery down to complete the St. Just Junction.

Really happy with the brick mortar and how the office turned out.  Need a sidewalk and some bushes!

Just a general wash of grime for the building.  Added a picture of a warehouse for the inside of the unloading shed.

The rest of the building.

Trying out a hopper for the unloading shed.

Throwback Thursday Aug 20 2015

Back to April 2009.  The Buckingham Branch short line had an open house in Doswell, VA and they had a locomotive and their beautiful caboose on display.  Cameron (my oldest) had a great time!

Cameron on poses on the caboose.

Cameron posing in the engineer's seat in BB #3 a GP16.

BB caboose #223 Ex-Chessie System

BB #3, one of their original locomotives

Chesapeake Valley SWEETENERS has finally settled on a name and is nearing completion

Lots of tedious work this week on the facility and the name has changed again.  Decided to settle on Chesapeake Valley Sweeteners based on another "sweetener" plant in upstate NY.  Sweeteners Plus is located in Lakeville, NY and the website has some good shots of the facility.  Most of my buildings are scratchbuilt and when you have a small railroad like me, you have to fit them in the space you have.  I also heard from someone in the MR business that you layout should not look like the Walthers catalog.  Walthers does make some great kits but do some kitbashing for a truely unique structure.

Yep, my work desk is a mess and this is a good size structure.

Painting on the front porch.  My layout is as soon as you walk into the front door so this is convenient.  That's not one of my good chairs!  Settled on this yellow.

Looks good under the lights.  The downspouts will hide the seams.  It will hold 3 tank cars.

The facility as of yesterday.

Today consisted of adding and gluing the roof on and adding doors and windows.

The white roof looks good and I wanted a flat roof on the left to add blowers and such.  Might go with the white flat roof instead.  

Close up of the office.  I still have to add a small awning in the office.  Might do something else.  

The roof of the loading building is huge.  All Pikestuff materials.  

These wood strips will help hold the roof of the loading barn,