Benson, Arkansas

[broadoak]

Probably most people’s idea of a typical American diesel is the hood unit, this pair are EMD F7’s both are Athearn blue box models. They are in the Southern Pacific livery and one is powered and the other a dummy. As usual more detail bits have been added and with an enormous lead weight under the hood they performed superbly.









Peter M

[broadoak]

This chop nosed GP9 is another Blue Box Athearn that has had a fair bit of work done to it to make her look different. She is seen shuffling pulp wood flat cars in the yard at Colonels Crossing. Then in east yard at Benson, note the yoke type air filters.










Peter M

[broadoak]

Another popular locomotive with rail fans was the SD7 known by the crews as a Cadillac because they were so comfortable. This is an Athearn Blue box job as well and ran superbly straight out of the box. They were a six axle road switcher of 1500 hp, but with low speed pulling power.
She is seen Benson east yard switching cars. The Pennsy gondola is loaded with limestone which was spread over fields to improve the soil structure.









Peter M

[broadoak]

A few views of the SP SW1500 #2458 working in the yard at Benson.
This is the later Athearn model which is very well detailed and much more expensive but rather delicate compared to the old sturdy blue box jobs.







Peter M

[broadoak]

For comparison this is a Blue box SW1500 yard switcher with added details, it is much cheaper than the one above.
Seen here in the west yard at Benson near the minimal servicing facilities.





Peter M

[broadoak]

The next locomotive featured is a bit like Marmite I think, you either love it or hate it.
So we have what is not the most attractive locomotive it must be said wearing one of the prettiest colour schemes.
The EMD BL2 1500 hp was a strange beast and when the Rock originally purchased them they were without steam generators. These were installed and the locos used in Chicago suburban service until 1953 when sufficient GP7's were available to take that over.
In the condition that the model is in, without the boiler installation they worked in the Cedar Rapids division on freight.
The BL stood for branch line and due to the lightly built frames could not be used in lash ups.
I must admit I find them rather attractive but I'm not sure why really.

The model an early Life Like example was very well detailed and was always popular in my exhibition days in the early 1990's because people had heard of the Rock Island Line. They were made in China and they copied the Athearn chassis exactly but not the quality of the materials used. So after a time the gears in the trucks started to disintegrate, and I replaced the gears with Athearn ones.

Here is a selection of pictures RI BL2 #429 shuffling cars around Benson.



The first picture was taken at Colonel's Crossing.







Peter M

[glencairn]

Nice to see a lovely American layout well done. An interesting choice of locomotives. I like the EMD BL2. There again I like Marmite.

Glencairn

[broadoak]

Thanks Glencairn, I like the BL2 but not sure about Marmite.
Should I carry on posting do you think as I 've not had much in the way of responses.

Regards Peter M

[Walkingthedog]

Keep posting. I think you’ll find people don't keep responding to the pictures, I certainly don’t, but are still enjoying them. There are only so many wow's, great, nice etc., you can do. Also it can make a post extremely long.

[broadoak]

Thanks for the advice WTD.

Kind regards Peter M