Our Maine Central Roster


We model the B&M and the MEC during the latter part of thier independence from transition era to the acquisition by Timothy Mellon.
As such it allows me to roster a variety of motive power but for the most part the roster is centered around the mid 70's to mid 80's.
As far as diesels go, the goals for my MEC roster are to have nearly all the GP38's as well as the U18bs. I will also roster a representative sampling of the early covered wagons and 1st generation Geeps. As far as Alcos are concerned the two RS-11's are a given, and as the opportunity presents itself I will acquire a couple of Alco S switchers and early RS units.

My current roster includes Atlas HO Master Series models of all but 1 of the 13 GP38's on the MEC roster. I acquired a 6 of the 12 units while on deployment and embarked upon a small scale renumbering project. As you can see here the 'Baghdad backshop' is busy. As I have been renumbering here in Iraq I have been adding a few details as well. Such as Cab roof mounted bells and antenna. I later re-numbered the 260 shown here to r/n 256 since I noticed too late that the 260 retained the square logo after the air filter was upgraded to the paper style by the Waterville shops. So all that remains to be done on the project is to number the remaining un-numbered unit I have at home with the square heralds to r/n 260 and change one of the two r/n 258 's to 259 and I'll be one model (#253) short of the MEC 'Baker's dozen' of GP38's.

Then the real fun begins ! I will be on to the real mother of all roster projects. I will tackle the seven U23b undecs sitting in Georgia awaiting kitbashment into U18b Independence class models. I plan to use a combination of a couple of methods to kitbash the Baby Uboats that the MEC had on thier roster. Cameron Green had a very straightforward method and Mike Rose has a bit more complicated approach which involves doors and walkway sections from a C30-7. I have one started using the MR methods and will see how it comes out. Likelihood is I will opt for the simpler method Cam Green uses.

Alcos on the roster: If you have visited my fotopic photo gallery and checked out my Iraq deployment projects album you will see I have an early Atlas RS-11 here in Iraq. I am superdetailing this model as well. On the fotopic site I have a series of pics that show how I added an Alco fan and etched metal grill.

My Model RR beginnings

Growing up in Maine and mostly New Hampshire, I have always modeled the Maine Central and Boston & Maine. Early on there were very few models available that were decorated for the B&M or the MEC and coming from a single parent family I wasn't able to do much beyond a plywood tabletop outlet until I was a pre-teen. I got started in the way most do... an HO train set under the tree. I was 7 or 8 yrs old. Don't even recall what brand it was - but it was an 0-4-0 dockside switcher and a few cars. My Uncle Jake came down from Hallowell and built a train table for me in the cellar and I was on my way ! I later added to my collection. Mostly Tyco and Revell equipment I got second hand from my older brother's friend. In Exeter - the modeler's mecca was Roberge Photo shop. We were paperboys back then and me and my best friend Tim White would take the $$ we got delivering papers and trapping muskrats and beaver and use the money to buy kits and track and such.

When I was in my late teens I gave all my trains to my nephew who later gave them away so all my early stuff is but a memory. Covered wagons and a HO Pennsy SW metal switcher I got as a birthday present. As it happens - although I remained interested in trains through my high school and college years there were other interests that competed and so I was away from the hobby for a good 10 years. Always knew I would come back one day but when was hard to say.

About 3 yrs out of college I got a 'train set' for under the Christmas tree and discovered superdetailing and custom painting. I met a colleague at work who has become a life long friend who got me back into the hobby with both feet.