Kitbashing a Walthers CN Russell Snow Plow

When I was younger, I purchased a Walthers Russell snow plow. It was in the late 1990s and immediately, it felt off to me because it didn't look at all like the shorter ones I used to see. I tinkered with it until it was the victim of an extensive kitbashing and weathering process that turned it into an almost exact replica of a plow stored in Clermont, QC. This project would later be the subject of several clinics and a book. However, when preparing my chapter, Scott Thornton requested more pictures to document a few steps, namely the peeling effect on the roof and the rust on the plow. I promptly acquired a second Russell plow and redid the weathering.

A general view of the modified plow

I didn't know what to do with that model later on but after a while, I decided I would simply replicate a real CN Russell in the brown paint scheme. I took mw a while to work on it, but by the end of last year, it was time to make it reality.

Improved details on the rear end

Several details were improved. I first added a wood texture to the roofwalk using a saw blade. Then, the stack was cored to look more realistic. Old molded grabirons were removed and new ones made of wire put in place. I also rebuilt the doors as wood panel ones like the prototype and added door sills.

A big challenge was adding the front coupler. This time, instead of using a plastic dummy coupler, I used a Kadee semi-scale one at the right height so it could be used in operation. Granted, it doesn't swivel, but I felt it looked much better that way. First, I made a small V-shaped platform from .25 mm sheet styrene then glued the couple on it with its "eyelet" cut to only leave the shank.

A scratchbuilt front coupler

Once dry, I used several styrene channels and shape to build the rest of the coupler box following prototype pictures of preserved CN Russell plows. The air line was made from a heat-formed styrene rod and the small loop over the coupler with a bit of styrene. I also added a photoetched eyelet on the plow "roof" just like the prototype.

After a partial coat of primer

The cupola got new wire grabirons, a Rapido 3-chime horn and a fully scratchbuilt headlight made from various diameter plastic sprues and a bracket made of an Evergreen inverted C-channel. For the sake of solidity, I didn't rely on a plastic bond but added a brass pin under the headlight so it could be fit to the roof.

A coat of faded mineral brown paint

The model was then primed and painted. At that point, I discovered that I had completely missed that CN plow wings didn't have the triangular sheet of metal at the bottom. They were wedge-shaped. So I cut these excess parts, which gave the plow a more prototypical appearance. I also added the window sills and retouched the paint.

Wings cut down and applying oil paint streaking effects

The model was then dullcoted and I started to highly the details with drybrushing. I added very subtle streaks on the sides and on the roof. Also added some chipping following a prototype picture. While my plow represent a real one seen in a 1961 Jim Parker photo that looks almost pristine, I did had some wear and tear on the metal just for the sake of realism, including the roof. The goal was that the model would look like a piece of steel and not some plastic toy. The doors got also some peeling paint effect but much subtler than my first CN plow. The roofwalk was treated with AK Wood Wash and some drybrushing to make it looks better.

Finished model

After a good coat of gloss varnish, I lettered the model with Black Cat decals as best as I could. They were later sealed and then different oil paint washes were applied. I kept it subtle because I just wanted that rain streaking effect I could see on the prototype pictures.

When done, some Panpastel powders were used to touch up the trucks and dusty areas. Window glazing was added and voilà, I had a prototypical CN Russell snow plow in its original paint scheme circa 1961 ready to sit on a siding on Monk Subdivision!

2024 in Hindsight

2024 has been a weird year, sometimes being absolutely wonderful and other times, less than stellar. Health issues, excruciating projects at work and several other sad things made it quite desperate at times, but there is also the nice events that made that year still a fascinating time to be alive whatever the hurdles. Speaking of which, there should be seen as motivational because they are an invitation to lift up to the occasions, be better and often, to discover we can do a lot of unexpected things.

In terms of model railroading, I did very little with the Murray Bay Subdivision, being merely a custodian of something bigger than I. For a year, we struggled to find the motivation to work on the cement plant and I must admit I've reached that point where I'm disgusted at the thought of creating a photo backdrop... Yes, such a small hurdle, yet one that I haven't found the courage to jump over.

Meanwhile, I built a small switching layout for my office space which is just another variation of the QSSR theme. I really like it and while I haven't switched it for a while, it is the backdrop I use daily to stage my rolling stock and do photoshoots. I will probably improve the scenery soon as a way to experiment what I want to do with Monk Subdivision.

As for Monk Subdivision, it has been a hell of a roller coaster ride! I built the staging room and benchwork for two staging levels, then demolished the original road bed to rebuild it according to plans... only to get rid of it all by the end of the year. A drain pipe replacement forced me to demolished a lot of benchwork and forced me to rethink my plans. To reach my goals, I simply eliminated the two levels and went back to my original Armagh and Langlois vision. As they say, God in His Heaven, All is Right with the World... let's hope it's alright!

Joke aside, these hurdles made me strive for something more coherent, more simpler and the streamlined project is much more interesting to work on. So much so that I was able to finish the drawings for the station, the feed mill and the large enclosed water tank, which will probably be build this year.

With my motivation back, I also embarked on a program to build and complete the Monk fleet, in particular the 1960s-1970s one. New higher quality models were acquired and after a while, I decided to subcontract the decoder installation to my friend David Mira-Landry who is better than me at that and which does very professional work. Meanwhile, many new locomotives were added, including several big MLWs from Bowser, a few Rapido MLWs, Budd and many others. I'm really glad that the classic fleet is almost done and now I'm starting to add better 1950s models too.

In December, I also decided to start working seriously on my freight cars. I had dozens of boxes and unfinished projects laying around and several drawers of decals. I told myself, enough is enough and built, kitbashed and painted about 20 cars over the last few weeks, many of which have been documented on this blog. Several others are on my workbench right now and my goal is to continue assembling and painting cars on a regular basis. Currently, I've done all my flat cars and gondolas, one stock cars and I'm currently working on a Russell snow plow and the big step in preparation is completing one for all my comprehensive reefer fleet which is quite huge. Several are already on my workbench and I'm developing decals for most of them. More on that later in this article. Suffice to say, I found my groove and when I see a project in my drawers that can be done swiftly, I sure do it!

Another nice part of the year was the continuous conversation with Chris Mears, which helped us to explore ideas, concepts and many whimsical train distractions. One among them was that idea to build a 1870s layout with classic retooled Bachmann 4-4-0s... I'm seriously tempted to do it and once Monk has reached a certain level of functionality, I could easily see myself trying that out.

Other achievements included being published in the excellent Model Railway Companion book published by Wild Swan in the UK and compiled by the always inspiring James Hilton. A big thanks to him for inviting me to contribute as I didn't expect to be featured on the cover!

Scott Thornton was also another key player in this modelling year by inviting me to the St. Louis RPM this summer. It was my first time participating in such an event. I've done it with other hobbies, but it was the first time for model trains. As always, I'm not a dealers' room guy, but rather one that enjoy clinics and giving them. I'll have to figure out new subjects! Scott and Lonnie were wonderful hosts and I still extent my thanks to them! As for Clark Propst, he brightened the day with is whimsical and colorful thoughts! It was a pleasure to meet him in the fresh with other talented modellers!

Finally, I've always given some thought about what I would like to do with Ste. Anne's Car Shops. I didn't commit that much to it and I clearly see that 3D printed steam parts aren't that much in demand except for a few parts. Also, I'm not big on printing at home for obvious reasons linked to health hazard and handling chemicals when cleaning after the process. However, I have drawn dozens of decal artwork ranging from modern CN to old time cars and American reefers. I wonder if I won't try my hand at it and publish them on my own. I'm confident enough in the quality of my work and Bill Brillinger does a wonderful job at printing them. So if I have some free time, I could see myself making this a dream come true.

Almost done with the plow!

And to clear the way to the new year, I close the circle by kitbashing and weathering another Walthers CN Russell snow plow! Have a great modelling year and don't shy away from building something, even if you have to start again... 90% of the fun is doing it! Enjoy, take care and may health be with you to go forward with your dreams!