Old Railfanning Memories and Models

Whilst cruising along the Arizona Southern right of way, heading for Siete Madres and a meeting of the minds at the engine shop, I spied this Granite Rock covered hopper awaiting its turn to be loaded at a local cement factory. Well, reality has it that it was painted by my good friend, the late Dennis Docken of Downey, Pacific, and Western fame. We went nuts when E&B Valley introduced these 70 ton covered hopper kits and each built quite a few. Finally something other than the MDC car or brass was available in HO Scale. We were in modeler heaven, but nothing lasts forever.

The E&B Valley kit was a flat kit, you glued everything together, walls, slope sheets, etc.

My friend has been gone over twenty years now and I still miss the hell out of him and our times spent together. We used to railfan L.A. to West Colton all of the time, and he knew all the good places to get pictures. We'd spend Saturdays doing the L.A. yard tour scene and then when it got too dark for pictures we'd head back to his place and run trains on their amazing layout. One of Denny's favorite projects was his live load rock train. He had a working loader at one end of the railroad and the dumper at the other and his cars all had working metal gates. The outfit was called GRANITE ROCK, as back then you pretty much took what was available decal-wise, and Dennis loved decalling his own stuff. The rock cars were lettered for L.G. Everest Inc., if I remember properly. I think Walthers made those decals, they looked nothing like todays railroad, but this was the late 1970's and very early 80's.

What I would not give to go back to those days, even just for a few hours. Take my digital SLR with me and shoot the layout like it deserved and maybe bebop down to Taylor Yard and fill a few memory cards before returning to the lonely here and now. Film was expensive back in the day, and for me money was tight; one had to pick their poison carefully. Trains kept me from doing more crazy things, so for that I am grateful.

That's all for now, write back if you'd like, and as always; Enjoy Your Trains!

John Huey

CEO Arizona Southern RR

Another Color Layer Added To The Downtown Deco Cantina

Well, it's still February and we just got the sun back today after a long run of rain and dark clouds. In the meantime I managed to add mortar lines to the no name Cantina kit. The owner at Downtown Deco made the suggestion, and instead of the chalk powder he mentioned, I used my old standby mortar paint mix which has kept well for several years now. It still works as good as always and that's good news.

The first side...

...the other side.

Finally, the roof at a little better angle.

Still more to do, but each step adds another layer of color and texture. Still looking for a proper 1960's era swamp cooler for the roof; not much out there right now though. A possible candidate is in the mail and should be here next week.

Just started sanding and painting the front steps. Those need a bit of fitting to rest flush against the foundation, so material has to be removed on the building as well as the step casting. Always check fit "all" parts before painting. On the plus side small touch ups on hydrocal is super easy.


LATE BREAKING NEWS:
Seems that the cantina is changing hands in the next few days and rumor has it that the new owner actually wants to name the place. We will be watching to see what transpires.

UPDATE MAY 2019:
The Cantina is now Lupe's Place and they now serve pulque as well as mescal and tequila.

Thanks for reading this far and feel free to comment or just say hello should the mood strike.


Enjoy Your Trains,

John Huey

In Search of Urban Blight!

Well I suppose the term urban does not fit in any of the towns served by the Arizona Southern. Most of the towns are remote and a haven for all sorts of folks who do not crave crowded city streets. There is small town America, and then there is small town south east Arizona, and what I'm modeling is something devoid of much of what most folks crave. Citizens are on their own out here and take care of business the old fashioned way much of the time. Interesting to say the least.

One such point of interest is the little cantina that was built a long time ago and somehow keeps from falling down. It's not very big, but a pergola is planned for the back with a few tables outside under the cover. I think a taco truck might even park here after things start to cool off; serving customers some real homemade Mexican food late into the evenings.

The base diorama is still in the thinking about it stages. Once I figure out what will actually be on it, construction can begin.

Painting and weathering these hydrocal kits can be quite therapeutic, relaxing even. I for one look forward to building others once space becomes available. The tar paper roof was another detail that was easy to make yet looks like you really fussed over it.

Downtown Deco kits definitely will be in the city planners thoughts as time for buildings gets closer. Very nice kits and not too costly either.

Thanks for reading this far, leave us a note should the mood strike you.

John Huey

Arizona Southern RR