of a model of one of my favourite prototype diesels, the MLW FPA-4, as built for the CNR. These units originally worked for the CNR in the green/gold/black passenger scheme, and later in the black & white zebra stripes, finally ending up in VIA blue. They were used mostly in the Windsor - Montreal corridor, and often ran at 90 mph, the speed at which they were designed to operate. When they were retired, many went on to second careers on tourist lines in the U.S., including the Napa Valley Wine Trains and the Grand Canyon Railway.
My models are the old Model Power version of an FA-2, and have been altered to more accurately reflect the prototype. This included slicing off the rear portion of the roof, then turning it end-for-end and re-attaching it, to get the roof fan in the proper position. Most of the side panels behind the centre door have been replaced in order to add the new air intakes, all of which are built-up from styrene strips. The pilot area was reworked, and a completely new fuel tank was fabricated fron sheet styrene. The stainless steel grills over the air intakes are from Detail Associates, and the F-unit style number boards are by Details West, as is the (incorrect) EMD-style steam generator detail. The scratchbuilt icicle breakers are made from brass bar. Because I lettered mine for my free-lance EG&E, some of the details differ slightly from CNR practice. I decided to paint mine in the old CNR freight paint scheme, which better matches the heavyweight passenger cars that these units were built to pull. Both units were painted with Accupaint CN colours, and the striping is by Accucals, also from SMP Industries. Lettering is dry transfers, applied individually.
Wayne
My models are the old Model Power version of an FA-2, and have been altered to more accurately reflect the prototype. This included slicing off the rear portion of the roof, then turning it end-for-end and re-attaching it, to get the roof fan in the proper position. Most of the side panels behind the centre door have been replaced in order to add the new air intakes, all of which are built-up from styrene strips. The pilot area was reworked, and a completely new fuel tank was fabricated fron sheet styrene. The stainless steel grills over the air intakes are from Detail Associates, and the F-unit style number boards are by Details West, as is the (incorrect) EMD-style steam generator detail. The scratchbuilt icicle breakers are made from brass bar. Because I lettered mine for my free-lance EG&E, some of the details differ slightly from CNR practice. I decided to paint mine in the old CNR freight paint scheme, which better matches the heavyweight passenger cars that these units were built to pull. Both units were painted with Accupaint CN colours, and the striping is by Accucals, also from SMP Industries. Lettering is dry transfers, applied individually.
Wayne
