Does anyone model a present-day B&M?

Is anyone modeling the B&M as if it were still around today? If so, what sort of paint scheme are you using? Sticking with the blue with white lettering seems logical, especially since going with a retro Minute Man scheme would be tough to custom paint.

I don't have any actual models yet, but at some point in the future when I'm able to get started, this is the paint scheme I plan on using for my "if the B&M was still in existence" layout:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/m ... 3_3001.gif

Nice - reminds me of the MKT. I think blue is the way to go too. Just out of curiosity, have you developed a current day roster?

Thanks. Yes, the paint scheme is loosely based on the MKT paint scheme, but with a nod to the Dustin-era B&M.

Here is what my roster looks like. Bear in mind that my imaginary B&M system also includes the MEC and the BAR... hence the high number of units.


100-109:
EMD F40BH-3
3200 HP
Built 1976 as F40PHR, rebuilt 1999 as F40BH-3 (computer control system added, HEP alternator removed and replaced with Caterpillar HEP genset)
Autostart equipped
Cab signal equipped
Air conditioned cab
Passenger service only


200-205:
EMD F40CH-3
3200 HP
Built 1974 as F40C, rebuilt 2003 as F40CH-3 (computer control system added, HEP alternator removed and replaced with Caterpillar HEP genset)
Autostart equipped
Cab signal equipped
Air conditioned cab
Boston-Portland passenger service only


600:
GE 70-ton Switcher
600 HP
Built 1946, overhauled several times over the years
Original Cooper-Bessemer engine soon to be replaced with a new Cummins QSK-19 700 HP engine, which will meet EPA Tier 3 regulations
Waterville Shop switcher


1500-1509:
EMD GP15-3
1500 HP
Built 1982-1983 as GP15T, rebuilt 1998 as GP15-3
Autostart equipped
Air conditioned cab


1800-1809:
GE B18-8
1850 HP
Built 1975 as U18B, rebuilt 1990 as B18-8
Air conditioned cab


KLPX 1893:
EMD GP28-3
2000 HP
Built 1965 as GP35, rebuilt 1980 as GP35R, rebuilt 1999 as GP28-3 (computer control system added, 567 engine deturboed and rebuilt with 645 power assemblies)
Air conditioned cab
Autostart equipped
Kennebunk Light & Power plant switcher


2000:
EMD F9BH-2
2000 HP
Built 1957 as FP9, rebuilt 1989 as F9BH-2 (gutted and rebuilt with GP38-2 engine & electronics, steam generator removed and replaced with Caterpillar HEP genset)
Cab signal equipped
Business Train and Excursion Train service only


2003:
GE/MLW M423-9W
2250 HP
Built 1976 as M420W, rebuilt 2002 as M423-9W (ALCO 251 12-cylinder engine replaced with a new GE FDL 8-cylinder engine rated at 2250 HP, and GE Dash 9 electronics/computer system. Meets EPA Tier 1 regulations.)
Autostart equipped
Cab signal equipped
Air conditioned cab
Work Train and Excursion Train service only


3000-3009:
EMD SD40-3
3200 HP
Built 1974, rebuilt 1998
Autostart equipped
Cab signal equipped
Air conditioned cab


3010-3019:
EMD GP40-2
3000 HP
Built 1977, rebuilt 1990


3020-3029:
GE C30-8
3050 HP
Built 1975 as U30C, rebuilt 1991 as C30-8
Air conditioned cab


3030-3039:
EMD GP40-2W
3000 HP
Built 1977, rebuilt 1992


3040-3049:
EMD GP40-2W
3000 HP
Built 1978, rebuilt 1993


3200-3209:
GE C32-9
3250 HP
Built 1984 as C32-8, rebuilt 1999 as C32-9
Autostart equipped
Cab signal equipped
Air conditioned cab


3600-3605:
GE C36H-9
3600 HP
Built 1971-1973 as U34CH, overhauled 1981-1983, rebuilt 1995 as C36H-9 (Dash 9 electronics/computer system added, HEP alternator removed and replaced with Caterpillar HEP genset)
Autostart equipped
Cab signal equipped
Air conditioned cab
Boston-Portland passenger service and Fast Freight service only


4400-4419:
GE C44-9W
4450 HP
Built 1995-1996
Autostart equipped
Cab signal equipped
Steerable trucks
Air conditioned cab


4500-4509:
GE ES44AC
4500 HP
Built 2004-2005
Meets EPA Tier 2 regulations
Autostart equipped
Cab signal equipped
Steerable trucks
Air conditioned cab

Interesting list of power - lots of rebuilds (fun for kitbashing)!

My what-if B&M includes MEC, D&H, EL's Southern Tier b/w Buffalo and Bingo, and the line from CP that is today New Brunswick Southern. I had considered B&A or the Iron Roads system, but you need competition and the ability for run-through power!

Here's a glance at my roster:

Road No's Qty Model H.P. Yrs Blt Comments
600-601 2 SW1 600 1953 Engine Shop switchers
1000-1005 6 MT-6 0 1995 Built from SD35s
1200 1 SW9 1200 1953 Car Shop switcher
1500-1509 10 MP15DC 1500 1974 Purchased after CR lease expired in 1989
1550-1554 5 SW1500 1500 1969 Ex-RDG, from CR in 1998
1800-1819 14 GP9R 1800 1989 Rebuilt
2000-2011 12 GP38-2 2000 1973 Ex-BM
2051-2063 12 GP38 2000 1966-67 Ex-MEC
2065-2068 4 GP38AC 2000 1971 Ex-LV, from CR in 1998
2100-2105 6 SD38-2 2000 1974 Purchased from C&IM in '95
2300-2319 20 GP39-2 2300 1974 Ex-RDG
2320-2339 20 GP39-2 2300 1976 Ex-D&H
2400-2401 2 E9A 2400 1956 Bought from BN in 1992
3000-3017 18 GP40-2 3000 1977 Ex-BM
3018-3022 5 GP40-2 3000 1973 Ex-RDG, from CR in 1998
3050-3072 23 GP40 3000 1968 Acquired 1983-84 from CR
3073-3092 20 GP40 3000 1968 Acquired 1990 from CR
3100-3106 7 SD40-2 3000 1978 Bought from KCCX in 1986
3107-3114 8 SD40-2 3000 1979 Bought from O&W in 1987
3115-3121 7 SD40-2 3000 1976 Bought from HLCX/KCS '92
3200-3209 10 SD40 3000 1966 & 71 Bought from CR in 1995, used for Horsepower Hour payback
3600-3609 10 SD45T-3 3600 1996 Rebuilt by MK in 1996
3800-3802 3 SD60 3800 1985 Ex-BN demos, bought from EMD in 1993
3803-3805 3 SD60 3000 1985 Ex-EMD demos, from CR 1998
4000-4021 22 SD70M 4000 1995 Purchased from EMD in '98


Hopefully the above "table" turns out alright. I sorta had to squeeze it in here. The above roster is from my 1999 modeling era. I have constructed a 2007 roster though, in which many of the original GP38s and 40s have been traded in for more SD60s. I also have the B&M down for picking up either the SD70M-2s or SD70ACes demonstrators from EMD...(vs. CEFX or KCS) but I can't decide which would be more appropriate yet...

If I knew how to insert a photo I would, and unfortunately I don't have any GIF drawings of my paint-scheme online anywhere.

Enjoy though!

Nice roster!

Thanks! Similar number of units to your roster (maybe a few more 4-axle units), but I decided that as the Alco's and GE's went to scrap, my B&M would have bought cheap but reliable second-hand EMD power. None of the locos on my roster were purchased brand new - the SD70M's are probably the newest at 3 years of age at purchase.

I found a place to upload some pictures, so feel free to take a peak at the these. I haven't decided on which scheme to use, but all are in the running. Obviously I can gain more credibility for a modern day B&M by using one of their past schemes, but it's always fun to create your own.

http://community.webshots.com/album/561195997pIYKQx

Any thoughts?

MEC407 wrote:I don't have any actual models yet, but at some point in the future when I'm able to get started, this is the paint scheme I plan on using for my "if the B&M was still in existence" layout:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/m ... 3_3001.gif

Very nice! All of those are quite good. I'd have to say that my favorites are h1, h5, h6, and h7.

I don't model the B&M directly. I base my operation as a takeover of Pan Am. I say that my company had been a part of the New Haven empire, when B&M was too. We were a jointly owned NH-B&M subsidiary, based in Albany< NY. When PC went into Conrail, and B&M was bankrupt, we went independent. In the early eighties, we bought branches in the Boston area. We had trackage rights between, Just like NYS&W between Jeresey and Binghamton.
When Tim and Dave decided to play with planes, instead of trains, we took over.
Our power is based on B&M and NH/PC. High hp 4 axles still rule.
The main power is a fleet of GP 60s and B40-8s. We have two GP60Ms. These were intended to have CN cab requirements for pools via the CV.
We still run some GP7s and 9s. The 7 series were transfered from B&M. They have train lighting boxes. The GP9s have Hancock air whistles, like the New Haven, but ours were freight only. We also have GP18s too. some of these have the non standard fans, like B&M's. Ours were trade-ins from GP9 wrecks.
We do still have some f units. These are for the buffs in management. They were bought used, but numbered into the 4200 series.
The rest of the roster is filled out with GP15s, 38, 40, and B23-7s. The B23-7 ride the AAR trucks from the last of the Alcos. For a mostly EMD roster, These units were a good deal from GE, since the Alcos had many reusable parts.

I want the line to be parts of the Fitchburg Div. I want some scenes to be urban/suburban, like Fitchburg, Gardner, but I want some of the more rural areas too.

Sounds like a good plan, Engineer Spike! I like the roster, too.

Thanks for the input. The way I'm thinking these paint schemes will work out on my models, at least in theory, is that I'll stick with the blue (maybe a few shade/logo variatons - just like the B&M in its final years) until the late 90s, when the SD70Ms arrive from EMD. At this point, the company will go through a bit of a rebirth, and with that B&M will go back to its heritage and re-introduce the maroon and gold! Repainted switchers past this point may get repainted into black and red. I'm still undecided as to how the rest of the fleet (GP's and SD40-2's) will turn out as they get repainted. I suppose they'll get the maroon and gold too, although maybe a slightly more basic scheme with less stripes. And of course this "heritage" program wouldn't be complete without repainting a couple units into MEC and D&H colors (maybe an EL loco too). The only MEC locos left on the roster by the late 90s might be the GP9 in rebuild form, maybe one of the SW9s doing shop duties still, and possibly the GP38s, but those would be nearing the end of their life spans and would probably be getting traded in or rebuilt. The GP38-2's and GP39-2's from the D&H would still be around for repainting. It sounds like a classic combination to me, but time will tell.

MEC407 wrote:Very nice! All of those are quite good. I'd have to say that my favorites are h1, h5, h6, and h7.

Eng Spike - that's an interesting scenario, but I like it. You mention B&M and NH, but did you pick up MEC and D&H too or not? I like the idea for the GP60Ms for run-through service. Although I don't see my road buying very many modern, high-horsepower units (it's mostly second-hand stuff just like Guilford today, but a bit better quality), but maybe we could "buy" some SD40-2Ws from CN, or take on a couple units to an SD60F order, for run-through services. What time period are you modeling?

Here are some other imaginary units/paint schemes I've come up with, and would love to model at some point in the future if time/space/money ever permit.


A U34CH, rebuilt to Dash 9 specs, painted in MEC-style livery and used for Boston-Portland passenger service:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/m ... 9_3605.gif


A modernized FP9, also in MEC-style paint:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/m ... 2_2000.gif


A special paint scheme to commemorate the 350th anniversary of my hometown:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/m ... w_2003.gif


Irving Oil already owns a railroad, but here's what it might look like if they put their own name on it:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/m ... 35_212.gif


A local power company can always use a nice looking switcher:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/m ... 3_1893.gif

Here's a link to a new album I made. It contains what I have decided on as the "phases" of my B&M's paint scheme progression.

http://community.webshots.com/album/561258607fdfytq

The blue depicts the final paint scheme used by the B&M before it went into Guilford. This image hung around until 1998 when the railroad shifted gears and brought back their historic image.

The historic image can be seen via the black with red stripes on switchers, and maroon and gold on road engines. My only debate at this point is between purchasing SD70Ms or SD80MACs in 1998 - both have been painted up though. The 70Ms would come from EMD (the 22 demonstrators built in 95), while the 80MACs would come from NS after the CR break-up, as NS doesn't like AC units and sold their 17 off.

Cheers,
Chase

Awesome!

There is something really cool about seeing a classic, 1940s-1950s paint scheme on a big, modern, 1990s locomotive.