[SD45T-2]

(Blows dust off thread, again...)
"Geez, you guys use alota power per train!"

"Well, we like to run our trains fast. Gotta keep up with the big boys you know?"

- Conversation between a railfan and Eric Stevens, superintendent of motive power on the Des Moines and Mason City.





As you can see, I carved out a bit of time to work on 4 DMMC locomotives. Two Ex-CNW SD60s, and a ex-Springfield Terminal nee-NW SD45, and a ex-WC SD45 owned by BN then CNW.

Also dirtying down 3012, the ex-CNW SD40-2

[Mipman25]

Dredging this thread back up for the CP&A's 9th anniversary. A little night coal on the Buffalo route.

Attached thumbnail(s)

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[bwyrick]

Donned my respirator and headed northwest from Reno to see if I could catch the CPAC fire train in action. Was able to catch it backing its way across Keddie Wye as it made its way up the Hi-line, and I was able to give a short chase before being turned around by a Plumas County Sheriff's deputy.

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/234674311_4670866289630798_7755397771750197364_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=2nOYYaak168AX-apoxm&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=d66eaa8c78234edcf2711f817c340ea2&oe=613FC840

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/234903942_4670866216297472_8160283028659336266_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=VXPD3PWdEWsAX-xfcOY&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=8225eef9fc3f4612c41cf5619343f925&oe=613D97DE

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/234927717_4670866192964141_6642643727532667911_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=mItKgWFDwbEAX-vgHkE&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=659282022956c196d16dace48ae72a31&oe=613DC9E7

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/236722455_4670866302964130_154546049570715246_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=DiLUxXBlgoIAX-GwMty&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=a66bc9eb17090865b6f26ad6fc4fb070&oe=613DB6CC

Got a text from some of the fire crew later on with a pic from the cab looking toward the "head" end from one of their trips during the day.

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/235218624_4670866142964146_580520493306574154_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=jBml4Sy1i8kAX_lP6W2&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=adc84d807139bc5fea5f99e7f593c126&oe=61402FA5

[Mipman25]

My first MSTS repaint hit the double digits today. Wow. Even if MSTS isn't my forte anymore, it's crazy to think how far I've come since then and how it's affected me outside of the sim.

https://i.ibb.co/zfd4ym5/1200-turns-10.png

This is how 1200 looked when I debuted her to TrainSim in October of 2011. I remember the day the issues with my account were figured out and I could post to TrainSim, I was shaking with happiness. I knew one heck of a journey laid ahead.

https://i.ibb.co/h1ddqQN/FBL-1200.png

To celebrate this milestone, I took 1200 out on a little sunset joyride out of Dunktown on the prettiest part of the Full Bucket Line. Happy 10 years to the Full Bucket beauty that started my MSTS adventure!

https://i.ibb.co/0X6v24y/Open-Rails-2021-09-17-07-58-00.png

https://i.ibb.co/6RMMSp2/Open-Rails-2021-09-17-08-00-25.png

https://i.ibb.co/KG3F0Nd/Open-Rails-2021-09-17-08-01-26.png

https://i.ibb.co/qswCh06/Open-Rails-2021-09-17-08-02-37.png

https://i.ibb.co/SnKVLrW/Open-Rails-2021-09-17-08-03-38.png

https://i.ibb.co/64ccgsc/Open-Rails-2021-09-17-08-04-27.png

[bwyrick]

Good to see you still around Dustin! Here's a random mish-mash of recent shots I've taken of various fictional projects I've been working on lately.

Refreshed look for Westlink, including new commuter cars.
https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/241833242_4773734442677315_279918962909649008_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=tQCzpRXscygAX_rAtE_&tn=kU4Hj1teYeOlnpeW&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=c88add5ba050759b245ea6319d543f5a&oe=616DE9E5

A California Pacific special from the anniversary of 9/11, and a thank you to the first responders and everyone involved in the Dixie Fire.
https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/241673574_4757589560958470_4361708443640649742_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=gusVII5VwogAX_4FFoQ&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=7546e270731e3b6ebe84339cb6c966a1&oe=616DE93E

A pair of Shasta Northern SW9s working an Oregon local.
https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/241649420_4747414815309278_5184938374848729567_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=__7o_wnTNHkAX8Ds_3x&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=d1a3d286349b81fc3e426240b8888ec4&oe=616ADC73

A Shasta Northern road freight pulling into the yard to interchange with CPAC
https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/240669215_4727609920623101_8868907939509535503_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=cZ70PO4XQkgAX_yOZC_&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=f697a7bd455300fd5c3215d1a5af80ee&oe=616C15EF

An ORCA Lumber train also on its way to interchange, but this time to the SNO
https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/239662503_4696167737100653_7761852736142955815_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=Sf_HDy3Vz2gAX88bNCU&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=be22f669f450de24e01ae9653a04b2fb&oe=616BED44

[Weter]

They are beautiful! Especially 9/11 memorial train. Thank for posting.

[SD45T-2]

I don't think any of you know this, but sometime ago, I had a hard drive failure where it became impossible to access via file explorer. However, I was still able to read it via command line, and managed to save the contents for the most part, before it failed entirely.

Then Ida hit, which was a whole lot of fun. Anyway, I'm back, and I've been making units both before and after the hard drive crash.

Last units made before the drive crash were a trio of SD70MACs, with some curious features.



After the hard drive crash, I did two GPs, including the first of many heritage units, DMMC 2003, formerly Milwaukee Road 166.

2002 is a Ex-SP unit with a modded nose.





And the star (?) of the show, 2003.

[bwyrick]

An eastbound California Pacific manifest is headed up by freshly rebuilt/repainted C44ACM 5500 (rebuilt from a Feather River & Salt Lake C40-9), a C40-8.5W, and a C44AC-CTE.

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/257251264_4967435493307208_2820823481802833663_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=5d9ulaX9xzUAX9Eux21&tn=kU4Hj1teYeOlnpeW&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=3f60b3bcbf50c0deb1ab8e6c159b158f&oe=6197592F

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/257224321_4967435599973864_6453670399901216045_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=4H8DQ9APHYcAX9ZBjqb&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=c3c88cf9e2cdc53310c1a1f2ef953fe5&oe=61973260

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/257299385_4967436029973821_5615526747084864943_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=wUFpzC0KaV0AX-Mgz0_&_nc_oc=AQlS9jCN9f5XXWEp23MVByaoi6GYqfX5qhelibJY0qSNN-NCR_KQWzEW2D4brrq5M1yhsb1xCcSpVC35JpC3NI4i&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=65d83c548f6e6d367d3d42ffc8e24438&oe=61973793

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/257549660_4967436116640479_8146340813320638173_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=-_ez9kl3X54AX8X0RhC&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=58dd299f9044c8d4a68ac9b5cc53b36b&oe=6196E0FA

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/257430397_4967436449973779_389807179748377271_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=48v8wmLz2lkAX-O9AOR&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=bd5b3397f7cf715e517012b561ca924f&oe=6196FC0E

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/257617858_4967436463307111_6826118388328369321_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=RdCVjzbGNO0AX-PTYc5&tn=kU4Hj1teYeOlnpeW&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=110047157e891907601ba235c037e3bb&oe=6196A72B

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/257424960_4967436583307099_2082632451737765658_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=c2EPop7vZ4AAX-h2p0x&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=bb574dc80c1a835d47c587863fec11f8&oe=6195AF8D

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/257357530_4967436749973749_3350100441870303643_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=Ytkmvt6jecwAX9mK9MU&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=be3cf2a1ec851c4ad50f9063a4901027&oe=6196DC70

[timmuir]

High-five to your new California Pacific schemes. The 5500 is a striking paint job! :thumbup3: :thumbup3:

[bwyrick]

Thank you, Tim!

[SD45T-2]

I concur, it's a very nice and distinctive paint scheme, especially with a crisper and better looking look than MSVR had.

[Mipman25]

Cal-Pac looking fly as ever, Brodski!

Ten years ago to the day, I announced on TrainSim that I was "rather pleased" with a new repaint I did of Dick Cowen's USRA 4-6-2, as I would have obviously worded it back then. Said repaint just so happened to be the Full Bucket Line's excursion stallion number 1225. I can attribute 1225 as the locomotive that truly gave way to my identity as a fictional freak. Debuting her on the inaugural Bucket Limited (whose 10th anniversary is in 12 days) was my first attempt at weaving a story around my creations, which I would do many times over later on. More than that, I can call 1225 the locomotive who represents me as a train simmer; not just as an avatar, but as the excursion queen of the route that really got me into train simming and one that has stayed with me since. Happy 10th, 1225!

https://i.postimg.cc/NFvHjhSR/Open-Rails-2021-11-14-10-23-36.png

[Mipman25]

Ten years ago today, Full Bucket Line 1225 turned her wheels for the first time since the age of steam and made her maiden voyage on the Bucket Limited. Ever since then, she's represented both the Frampton Railroad Museum and the FBL as not just a publicity vehicle, but a one way ticket back to when steam was the blood flowing through America's iron veins. 1225 made a special run today celebrating ten years of her prosperous excursion career, running all the way from Frampton to Dunktown and back. No gas can pushing her along either, just like the first run of the Bucket Limited and the numerous passenger runs long before.


https://i.postimg.cc/mgGKtJsJ/Open-Rails-2021-11-26-08-31-06.png

She's come such a long way.

https://i.postimg.cc/P5z9Zyfx/Open-Rails-2021-11-26-09-00-18.png

https://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc443/DustinJRaiken/The%20Bucket%20Limited/LookingupattheBucketLimited.png

[ErickC]

I still don't know if this counts as a fictional railroad per se, however, my public domain car kits have all been getting released in generic "NAVX" livery lately. This allows me to:

1. Save a lot of time and effort on researching real-world liveries and drawing logos
2. Demonstrate the available kit options, such as trucks, doors, et c.
3. Reuse a lot of existing artwork
4. Let my mind wander a little

[bwyrick]

First westbound run of CPAC's annual Holiday Train is seen making its way into the Feather River Canyon, after originally coming east via Donner. Not these engines' first time plying these rails.

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/263802303_5037486909635399_3452241216742027437_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=-BSyrLJqhpEAX9nrH09&tn=kU4Hj1teYeOlnpeW&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=d6166e425c820947845ef82a4072f58e&oe=61B27260

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/264130488_5037486886302068_502325875458926061_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=KfdOw54PjkEAX_QsaPH&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=db32346e442e309da8a00b66697c901c&oe=61B25003

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/264465065_5037487209635369_4492545597252404391_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=SMX16IsA45AAX8jNBeI&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=cfc4c1e3ea8e46ccb714c5e99b3bec88&oe=61B17B40

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/264118501_5037487232968700_3687424462606567184_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=vxNbfCqOcqMAX8K30VN&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=5306c6fc61b0557d74cfb6efb8a335f3&oe=61B2FBA5

Night has fully fallen as the train has reached arguably the world's most famous wye.

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/264112401_5040528012664622_3033595480339693727_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=g5zLWcWU_40AX-Xoc1d&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=3de4fac4103dee0e93785ec38526d680&oe=61B1E4CE