Modelling CP Rail in the east 1994-95: CP M636 by Bowser

[sd40dash2]

While not often discussed today, the early-1990s era on CP Rail was a particularly interesting time to be railfanning, especially if you happened to be doing it in the east. There was an awful lot of strange stuff happening including lots of oddball lease power from the US, various ex-US SD40-2s purchased by CP and integrated into their 5400 series, retirements, un-retirements and re-retirements of the last MLW "Big Alcos", blanked-over cab windows, 5500-5600-series SD40-2s, lease of western passenger VIA F40PH-2s for freight service on the Winchester and Bellleville subs, creation of STL&H and much more.

I know there are some ARF users who are aware of this very interesting time but I have not seen many who have replicated the mix of equipment in HO. Much of this is possible with models now available on the market, so I figured I would try my hand at one of the last BIG ALCOS with blanked over cab windows and trail-only status. I purchased a Bowser M636 from a sale bin and went right to work "downgrading" it to generally match this appearance. Some modelling photos to follow in this thread if interest is warranted -- please advise!

RHS 4721 Jan '95:
www.mountainrailway.com/Roster%20Archive/CP%204700/CP%204721-3.jpg


CP 4721, MLW M636, B-Unit Status at Bensenville Illinois

[nsfantodd]

Interesting, Look forward to seeing the pics!

[sd40dash2]

Alright, at least nsfantodd is interested so I'll get started unless there are any objections.

Model disassembled quickly after arrival, forgot to take photos of what it looked like from factory.

[mdvle]

Aug 16, 2020 10:15:30 GMT -8 sd40dash2 said:

While not often discussed today, the early-1990s era on CP Rail was a particularly interesting time to be railfanning, especially if you happened to be doing it in the east. There was an awful lot of strange stuff happening including lots of oddball lease power from the US, various ex-US SD40-2s purchased by CP and integrated into their 5400 series, retirements, un-retirements and re-retirements of the last MLW "Big Alcos", blanked-over cab windows, 5500-5600-series SD40-2s, lease of western passenger VIA F40PH-2s for freight service on the Winchester and Bellleville subs, creation of STL&H and much more.

For those wanting an excuse for the unusual there is also a published photo of a VIA F40PH-2 being used by CP on a local freight up to Orangeville, which is a minor branchline with maybe 2 return trips a week.

Other than that look forward to seeing this.

[drolsen]

Oh, very cool project! There are a number of prototype subjects that I really like outside of my core interest in CSX. Among them are BN covered hoppers, SP boxcars, UPFE reefers, newsprint boxcars, and CP Rail equipment as both run-through power and foreign (literally) freight cars. As I've mentioned before, I loved seeing CP "bandit" diesel schemes in the mid-'90s on CSX's Capital Subdivision between Baltimore and DC when I was commuting on MARC trains. Can't wait to see how this one turns out!

On a side note, it's both a great opportunity and a little concerning that you found this model in the bargain bin. I love Bowser's recent Canadian models, so I'm concerned for their sales when I see one deeply discounted, but at the same time, it's great to find a good deal on their excellent diesels.

Dave

[sd40dash2]

Aug 16, 2020 15:11:50 GMT -8 drolsen said:

Oh, very cool project! There are a number of prototype subjects that I really like outside of my core interest in CSX. Among them are BN covered hoppers, SP boxcars, UPFE reefers, newsprint boxcars, and CP Rail equipment as both run-through power and foreign (literally) freight cars. As I've mentioned before, I loved seeing CP "bandit" diesel schemes in the mid-'90s on CSX's Capital Subdivision between Baltimore and DC when I was commuting on MARC trains. Can't wait to see how this one turns out!

On a side note, it's both a great opportunity and a little concerning that you found this model in the bargain bin. I love Bowser's recent Canadian models, so I'm concerned for their sales when I see one deeply discounted, but at the same time, it's great to find a good deal on their excellent diesels.

Dave

Hi Dave. Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I had a feeling this thread would interest you. You are one of the few posters on here I've seen discussing the EMD CP SD40-2s of the early-1990s. These represented dozens of common units (esp in the east) along with the other odd lease combinations being seen. Note that many of these units (like the M636 that is the topic of this thread) were not set up to lead trains, so consists from this era should mostly be B units with just one or two leaders max. I know there were exceptions.

Regarding the junk bin, there are lots of new models hitting the market all the time and I don't think we are all able to absorb them quite as fast as they come. Even newer models come out, pandemics, divorces and job losses hit, people move and the previous models sometimes get forgotten. I didn't need an M636 but since I'm doing my part to social distance, thought it would be a fun project while stuck inside. I have some photos ready to post in this thread, so please stay tuned.

[sd40dash2]

The photos of both sides of 4721 online were just too cool not to use, so that's the number I chose.

[thebessemerkid]

I always wondered why the wheelbase on the Dofasco trucks seemed so short. I would have thought stretching wheelbase would be easier on track.

[cemr5396]

Cool project, I never knew CP gave any of the Big Alcos the B-unit treatment. How many did they do it to?

[sd40dash2]

^ I don't know exactly how many of the big alcos got this window treatment; CP 4715 and 4718 are two other B-units and possibly 4567 after late 1993. Bowser did not replicate this feature on any of their big alco models like they did with their SD40-2s.

[cemr5396]

Aug 16, 2020 19:04:52 GMT -8 sd40dash2 said:

^ I don't know exactly how many of the big alcos got this window treatment; CP 4715 and 4718 are two other B-units and possibly 4567 after late 1993. Bowser did not replicate this feature on any of their big alco models like they did with their SD40-2s.

I feel that has something to do with the higher profile and exposure of the Locotrol receiver units.

A fairly large dedicated fleet (25 in the 6000s plus some 5700s, I don't remember how many), on a railway already famous as a Locotrol pioneer, where at least one could be seen on nearly every unit coal or grain train to cross the BC mountains during the time period. Did they run mid-train units on the potash trains too back then? I have a friend who may know, I'll ask him next time I see him if I remember. Plus they could be found nearly anywhere on the system if they wandered away from the Prairies. 

Compare that to seemingly just a handful of Big Alcos which would have stayed in the East close to the Alco haven of St. Luc. Easy for someone less familiar with the Eastern half of the CP system (like myself) to overlook or even be totally unaware of.

[csxt8400]

While the CP's D&H and other eastern reach isn't a prime interest of mine, I am certainly aware and enjoy perusing photos from that era. A lot of SOO SD40's and Dash 2's wandered out to Binghamton and were also regulars on the CSX with their "bomb trains", of which the CP bigs and some C424's even were found from time to time. The Kalkman's have a lot of CSX stuff from around the B'More area and consequently the CP run-thru's of which I spoke.

www.flickr.com/photos/149706553@N05/41267647674/

Interesting commentary on the perception of the MLW's by 1992.
www.flickr.com/photos/mastadon4935/23958018304/

Certainly an interesting model subject and I'll be staying tuned.

[sd40dash2]

Getting new '1' decals and setting solution ready. Windows have also been removed from the cab.

[markfj]

Neat project! Can you share where the “sale bin” is? Also, how did you remove the forth number on the cab side so neatly?

Thanks, Mark

[stevewagner]

A question for csxt8400: Which CSX trains were nicknamed "bomb trains"?

[nsc39d8]

Very nice project on a big ALCO/MLW. Love those pictures of the acid train on CSX with two big MLW's bracketing an X-Southern/NS SD40-2.

Will be following along!

[cemr5396]

Aug 17, 2020 3:33:12 GMT -8 markfj said:

Neat project! Can you share where the “sale bin” is? Also, how did you remove the forth number on the cab side so neatly?

Thanks, Mark

Not sure what he did, but when I renumbered one of my Bowser SD40-2s I used Solvaset, a toothpick, and a Q Tip to remove the numbers. Worked like a charm.

[sd40dash2]

Aug 17, 2020 3:33:12 GMT -8 markfj said:

Neat project! Can you share where the “sale bin” is? Also, how did you remove the forth number on the cab side so neatly?

Thanks, Mark

Railway City Hobbies, St. Thomas, ON.

Cab side number '3' was removed with comet + toothpick method described in July 1994 MR. Here's what the process looked like when I replaced the numbers on a different model with an incorrect font.

[lvrr325]

Seems like in the same period CP was leasing Conrail GP35s (including one in EL paint) they sent the MLWs and stuff to the D&H where they mixed with leasers in purple, in UP colors, in just plain primer. I have pictures of some of that stuff from a couple trips to Binghamton plus some detour trains on the Water Level Route when the Tier was closed for some reason. Trains that in 1992 had to go all the way to Albany up here, as the NYS&W only went to Jamesville NY. I caught those ex-NS B-units a couple of times too.

[sd40dash2]

Windows were removed from cab to make painting easier. The left two sideframes are also being detailed with what appeared to be PTC journals and cables. Note also the removed cab wipers and wind deflectors.