12-17-2013, 07:07 AM
I decided to be a GEC myself and dig some archives to find out what locomotives were used and in which number in Quebec City on a typical week day in early 1970s.
I based my estimate using Marty Bernard's collection of pictures he took the same day of August in 1970s. I then divided the number of each types by two because our layout is about half the capacity of Limoilou Yard and we model about half the industries. Passenger locomotives were even more reduced since we don't operate regurlarly passenger trains. Not very scientific I agree, but it gives a general portrait.
The exercise was extremely interesting for one fact: I already owned almost everything I need. Funny, but rather generic models where daily visitors at Quebec City and it was confirmed by a good friend who was a young railfan at that time. The fleet was most done with GP9, C424, RS18, FPA4, S4 and lots of steam generators. All locomotives will be painted in CN 1961 wet noodle scheme and weathered according to pictures.
GP9: 6 (3) -3- The work horse at Quebec City. As you know, two Bachmann GP9 are in process of being rebuilt and repainted. New road number will match ones found on timetable and period photos. I'll probably get an other too, probably a Bachmann to have a consistent fleet with similar details at low price. I'm not against painting in in Green & Gold since a few survivors made infrequent visit.
RS18: 3 (1.5) -2- I'll have to get and bash an Atlas Classic RS11 [#3714]. I already gathered the detailing parts. Since it's a serious bash, I'm thinking about converting also my MEC Atlas/Kato RS11 too. MLW RS18 is an ICONIC locomotive after all.
C424: 3 (1.5) -2- I rounded at 2 because they always run in pair and 1.5 is practical! I already have one Atlas Classic in wet noodle [#3214] and 1 Atlas-Kato in zebra stripes [#3201]. I don't want to repaint my Atlas-Kato, so if I get the chance to find another Atlas Classic in wet noodle, I'll go for it (Classic C424 are definitely better detailed). Those model will probably need some details to make them look better.
S4: 2 (1) -1- The club has an Atlas Grand Trunk S2 that will be bashed, detailed and painted to fit one assigned in Quebec City switcher at that time.
FPA4: 4 (2) -1- The main passenger locomotive in Quebec City. However, since we don't model Palace Station, I feel it's useless to get more. I already have a Proto 2000 PA4 in CN livery that will make a good stand-in after some detail work.
B-units: 2 (1) -1- EMD and MLW, only needs one to complete a set [#TBD]. Since FPA4 often pushed short local trains in the 70s, I'm not in a hurry to get one. Maybe a Rapido in the future, who knows?
Steam Generator: 4 (2) -1- Lots of freight locomotives pulled trains in Quebec City area in early 70s, mainly on Murray Bay Sub. Since we don't operate passenger trains, getting one from Rapido would be more than enough.
Budd: 1 (0.5) -1- Acquiring a Budd in the future would be a nice move to get the feeling of the era. But it's not a priority so far. I know one of our member would be delighted since he remembers seeing them shuttling the Murray Bay Dub as a child in Château-Richer.
Wood caboose: 2 (1) -2- I already have a True Line caboose in wet noodle. Since we operate many freight trains, I have also built a Sylvan Scale resin Pointe Saint-Charles caboose that also fits the era. That resin car will need a major repair to get back on rail.
CPR? Well, we got anything we need according to pictures: RS10, S3, FA7-F7B, FPA4-FPB4, C424 and M630C. All these locos are fairly accurate and don't need major reworking except weathering in due time.
The priority is given to get a bunch of RS18, GP9 and a S4 ready for operation in 2014.
Matt
I based my estimate using Marty Bernard's collection of pictures he took the same day of August in 1970s. I then divided the number of each types by two because our layout is about half the capacity of Limoilou Yard and we model about half the industries. Passenger locomotives were even more reduced since we don't operate regurlarly passenger trains. Not very scientific I agree, but it gives a general portrait.
The exercise was extremely interesting for one fact: I already owned almost everything I need. Funny, but rather generic models where daily visitors at Quebec City and it was confirmed by a good friend who was a young railfan at that time. The fleet was most done with GP9, C424, RS18, FPA4, S4 and lots of steam generators. All locomotives will be painted in CN 1961 wet noodle scheme and weathered according to pictures.
GP9: 6 (3) -3- The work horse at Quebec City. As you know, two Bachmann GP9 are in process of being rebuilt and repainted. New road number will match ones found on timetable and period photos. I'll probably get an other too, probably a Bachmann to have a consistent fleet with similar details at low price. I'm not against painting in in Green & Gold since a few survivors made infrequent visit.
RS18: 3 (1.5) -2- I'll have to get and bash an Atlas Classic RS11 [#3714]. I already gathered the detailing parts. Since it's a serious bash, I'm thinking about converting also my MEC Atlas/Kato RS11 too. MLW RS18 is an ICONIC locomotive after all.
C424: 3 (1.5) -2- I rounded at 2 because they always run in pair and 1.5 is practical! I already have one Atlas Classic in wet noodle [#3214] and 1 Atlas-Kato in zebra stripes [#3201]. I don't want to repaint my Atlas-Kato, so if I get the chance to find another Atlas Classic in wet noodle, I'll go for it (Classic C424 are definitely better detailed). Those model will probably need some details to make them look better.
S4: 2 (1) -1- The club has an Atlas Grand Trunk S2 that will be bashed, detailed and painted to fit one assigned in Quebec City switcher at that time.
FPA4: 4 (2) -1- The main passenger locomotive in Quebec City. However, since we don't model Palace Station, I feel it's useless to get more. I already have a Proto 2000 PA4 in CN livery that will make a good stand-in after some detail work.
B-units: 2 (1) -1- EMD and MLW, only needs one to complete a set [#TBD]. Since FPA4 often pushed short local trains in the 70s, I'm not in a hurry to get one. Maybe a Rapido in the future, who knows?
Steam Generator: 4 (2) -1- Lots of freight locomotives pulled trains in Quebec City area in early 70s, mainly on Murray Bay Sub. Since we don't operate passenger trains, getting one from Rapido would be more than enough.
Budd: 1 (0.5) -1- Acquiring a Budd in the future would be a nice move to get the feeling of the era. But it's not a priority so far. I know one of our member would be delighted since he remembers seeing them shuttling the Murray Bay Dub as a child in Château-Richer.
Wood caboose: 2 (1) -2- I already have a True Line caboose in wet noodle. Since we operate many freight trains, I have also built a Sylvan Scale resin Pointe Saint-Charles caboose that also fits the era. That resin car will need a major repair to get back on rail.
CPR? Well, we got anything we need according to pictures: RS10, S3, FA7-F7B, FPA4-FPB4, C424 and M630C. All these locos are fairly accurate and don't need major reworking except weathering in due time.
The priority is given to get a bunch of RS18, GP9 and a S4 ready for operation in 2014.
Matt
Proudly modelling Quebec Railway Light & Power Company since 1997.
Hedley-Junction Club Layout: http://www.hedley-junction.blogspot.com/
Erie 149th Street Harlem Station http://www.harlem-station.blogspot.com/
Hedley-Junction Club Layout: http://www.hedley-junction.blogspot.com/
Erie 149th Street Harlem Station http://www.harlem-station.blogspot.com/