ILSX 202

When I heard the NREX SD9 is Hills, MN might be up for sale I figured it would go well with the rest of the Skally fleet. This ex-CB&Q unit is a good workhorse and would be a nice compliment to the other SD9s on our roster. We numbered it 202 to fill the roster gap left when we renumbered the 1344. It is running solo on the Skally right now, but it looks like all 4 SD9s may end up together pulling some unit sand trains from Tiller Corp. in North Branch next month. It will be a fun day of railfanning when it happens!

This engine started out as an Atlas Conrail SD9. I used an Atlas GP38 cab and a Kato SD40-2 short hood. It has BLMA cut levers, ditch lights, wipers, air hoses, mu cables, class light covers, grab irons, MLE all-weather windows, a Sunrise strobe, a MbE antenna and air horn, Trainworx lift rings, an Atlas MU cable and an Atlas sand hatch on the front. The rear sand hatch is the base off a JnJ blat air horn. The battery boxes had to be chopped off both fronts, so the front handrails are soldered wire and GMM stanchions. The paints are Floquil BNSF Heritage Green, GN Orange and reefer white on the handrails. The couplers are Micro Trains 905 Z scale couplers. The decals are a mix of Micro Scale sets.

Heritage Units

Well, not exactly Skally Line Heritage Units, but a pair of engines painted in the BNSF H1 paint scheme.

The SD9 is going to be numbered ILSX 202, to take the spot vacated when ILSX 1344 was renumbered. This engine is based off of ex-BNSF 6158 that I photographed in the metropolis of Hills, MN.

 I still need to number it and add reporting marks, but I am making progress.

ILSX 1338 is based of the a newly acquired ILSX SD40-2. This engine is currently being leased with the real ILSX 1344 to the E&LS while E&LS GP38 400 is in Bethel at the ILS shops getting some work done. Once I get the decaling done I can finish the cab details and start final assembly.

 You can see the prototype in this fantastic shot by Jim Elbe in Howard, WI.

Slow but sure

I've made some progress on two of my project engines. ILSX 202 and SCXY 1363 have progressed. I haven't had much time lately, but what I get has been good. Grab irons are done, most of the lift rings are in (I left a couple out on 202 until I get the exhaust silencer installed) and some of the other details are finding their home. I have a couple orders of parts on their way. Once they get here I will get the next round of progress underway.