New Power for the Paper Mill

The long anticipated SW1200RS from Rapido has arrived and I immediately had to try it out at the paper mill.  All I can say is what a beautiful piece of model railroading engineering and manufacturing.  I purchased the unit with DCC sound, as the price difference isn't enough to go for a non-DCC unit, and DCC version includes sound.  For anyone who has followed the development of a suitable Canadian version of the SW1200, designated by the trailing letters RS, there has been on-going controversy for some time as both Rapido and True Line Trains announced intentions to build this model.  It was actually an interesting story as it developed, as Rapido announced their intentions and showed production samples, while TLT announced their version and showed a photo of an OMI model as their unit.  In any event, Rapido delivered the goods and TLT (as of a May 2017 web site posting) has not.  Knowing the quality of work that goes into a Rapido model, I spent my modeling $$$ and ordered CN 1341, with the idea that this would become my main power for switching at the paper mill, similar to use of the SW1200RS units at paper mills in Marathon and Iroquois Falls, Ontario. 

A little history for the SW1200RS, which comes from the Rapido website.  General Motors Diesel (GMD) delivered the first example of what would come to be known as the SW1200RS model to Canadian National in September 1955. As its dieselization progressed, CNR needed a compact, lightweight locomotive to replace steam power on branch lines and other over-the-road assignments (freight and passenger) not requiring a full-fledged mainline road switcher. General Motors’ 1,200-hp SW1200 switcher model, in production since January 1954, combined the right size and muscle, but needed modifications for use out on the road.

First impressions out of the box...Rapido just continues to produce detailed, quality products which get better each model produced.  Starting off it is very well packaged and the model rides snugly in its plastic cocoon.  A detailed instruction manual (more on that to come) is included and one of the first things you see after opening the box.  Sound is very good and matches what I have seen with my RDC unit.  Engine noises are very throaty and nice chugging sound on acceleration.  Lots and lots of detail included on the model.  My only initial complaint after running it for about 30 minutes is a slight jerky movement at very slow speeds although it's getting better with more running.  My other concern is that the motor seems to have a slight whiny sound when the sound is off and you can hear the engine running alone.  Hopefully both of these problems will continue to work themselves out of the unit.  

The instruction manual is a typical Rapido manual.  Too much frivolity and joking for my tastes.  I understand that maybe a couple of humorous lines of text breaks up the monotony of a technical manual but let's focus on tech issues and specifics to the loco rather than more attempts at humor.  For example I searched and could not find if there is anyway to turn off the side lights on the trucks but I did find the oblique reference to Quantum Physics while dancing the Watusi.  Nice to know but my question remains unanswered.  Maybe a little more thought given to some tech drawings such as showing the 21 pin socket and less jokes.

I am quite please with the unit after running it on the layout.  Now comes the hard part, how much weathering should be done to give it that proper industrial locomotive feel versus how it currently looks.  I choose to loosely model the 1341 using the 1305, which was used at the Abitibi-Consolidated mill in Iroquois Falls, Ontario.  Abitibi acquired the 1305 in January 1994 (ex CN 1305) and a photo taken in 2003 clearly shows that the CN noodle is long faded away and the CN red is heavily faded.  Sounds like a topic for another posting if I decide to weather the unit to this condition.  The last photograph I have of these unit was after it was repainted into the green/black scheme and was serving the Resolute Forest Products (last reported as DESX 1305) in Thorald. 

Industrial Infrastructure

One of the aspects that I have tried to cover everywhere on my layout is whether the scene is realistic and will it work.  For the latter point, what I mean is will supporting aspects be in place and actually fit correctly into a space.  Take for example, industries that use trucking as a means to deliver materials and take away finished goods. Assuming that the truck and trailer are somewhat correct for the modeled era (example not having a 53' trailer in a 1960's scene), is there actually enough space for the truck to pull in and back up to the loading dock.  I'm always amazed when I see the parking filled with trailers but no visible way to actually move the trailer.  Is there an access road for the trucks to leave the facility or are they apparently stranded since the only exit is over the rails and no crossing has been installed?

Another aspect that I think modelers tend to overlook is what utilities support the industry.  You can follow the same logic and ask do your commercial buildings and residential structures have sufficient utility support.  You may only need a transformer on a pole at a street corner, or you may need several small ground mounted transformers to power each building.  

For an industry, most require a large amount of power, often coming onto the property at multiple locations.  This may mean that they need one or more substations, as well as  multiple transformers as the power is stepped down sufficiently for a building or process to use.  For example, my paper mill has it's own power house, where electrical power is generated from a nearby river which runs along side the mill but is actually just at the edge of the paper plant module.  Since the power house also supplies power to the electrical grid and near by town Spruce River, an electrical substation is located adjacent and in a corner of the property before the electrical lines cross the rail and head away into the distance.  I also have several large transformer situated outside of several of the buildings, as well as electrical infrastructure on the top of several roofs.  In my mind, these little details make the scene "pop" with realism.