When I started researching the Canada Atlantic, and thinking I might one day model it, one of the supposed benefits was that a railroad that disappeared 85 years ago (this was about 1990) offered both freelancing and prototype modeling opportunities. Sadly, it turns out that I suck at freelancing.

I have spent literally days on trying to figure out why one end of the passenger car was so high. The bolsters were the same height relative to the floor and the platforms were not .5 mm different from the floor, but somehow the car was sitting with one end a half millimeter higher than the other. Finally, I switched trucks end for end, and the difference went away.

The interior came from Shapeways some months ago, but I seem to be making glacial progress this year. I suppose that means that I'm melting slowly, and occasionally a big lump will drop off, which is pretty close to the way things are going.

Anyway, as you can see, the interior came with the end platforms. These are actually a little more delicate than I'd like, and I've had to repair at least one stringer on each end due to rough handling after epoxying them to the frame.

Despite how it might seem if you follow this blog, there is still modeling going on in my basement. Here are all the bits that belong on the roof. Everything is scratchbuilt because, well, I'd rather spend my time doing that than pouring through catalogues looking for parts that probably won't fit properly anyway.

Here is one of five lamp jacks for the passenger car. It's simply constructed from a pin and a length of tube. I held them apart with a razor blade as I soldered them. It's about 18 mm (3/4") long, and most of it will get cut off shortly before installation.

You can probably buy something like this, and one of the questions that I get asked when demoing is how do I choose to make something rather than buy it. The answer I give is one that I remember reading thirty years ago when I started scratchbuilding. It is this: if I can make something that's as good or better than the one I can buy, I'll make it.

Finally, after months of computer work, and Christmas, and finishing off the models for the train show, I am back to the passenger car. Amazingly, it's been almost six months since I did anything physical on this model - most of the recent work has been on the computer, composing the interior, the clerestory lights, and improving the freight trucks.

I built these three buildings for my friend Scott's layout, which is based on the CPR Boundary Sub in southern BC. Eholt was the junction with the Phoenix branch, and we're modeling it still active in 1962 - the branch is rising in the background in this view.

This weekend my son and I installed a turnout on his layout. The turnout serves a spur to the winery, which we built last fall when we returned from Osoyoos (where there are lots of wineries).

Well, after three tries, my models were finally fit to print. They arrived about two weeks ago, and I'm delighted. The passenger car came out just about exactly as expected, and the truck, while not as detailed as the design, is completely functional and looks pretty good.

I submitted my designs to Shapeways, and waited with baited breath for their realization in plastic. By the tenth day, I wanted to race home at lunch time to check the mail box. That day passed, as did the next and a few more; finally I got an email from Shapeways.