Modeling the Soo Line locomotive fleet circa 1954 has become much easier over the last few years. Today one only needs to decide how much detail- or lack of detail, is acceptable. This is true mainly regarding the current crop of "F" units from Genesis, P2K, and Intermountain. For steam, in many cases, I have been much less concerned about building an exact model and instead have concentrated on finding models which perform well and when finished capture the feel of the Soo. There are two things to keep in mind when reading through this page:
The opinions are my own and you know what they say about opinions!
I am thinking about what an average modeler who also is busy building other components of a model railroad, can accomplish.
I also should mention that I am not a collector of engines or excess rolling stock. I noticed when I first began operating my railroad that two dozen engines were enough to keep everything moving smoothly (and cover my dispatching errors) without having to run any light movements from one engine terminal to the next. Since I run a lot of wayfreights, my fleet is heavy with road switchers as well as "pure" switch engines for the yards. Like other lines, the Soo kept certain power close to a shop location. An example would be the Soo's small FM switcher fleet being kept close to Shoreham. On my layout, a FM switcher may turn up at Manitowoc or Neenah. I vary from some prototypical practices due to need or my desire just for something a little different! As the layout becomes closer to being finished, I hope to add a few more engines while I upgrade the fleet with newer, more detailed engines including more with sound. Let's take a look at some of the roster of locomotives and rolling stock now with some modeling thoughts thrown in...
SOO LINE L-2 2-8-2 MIKADO #1017
This model began life as a Trix USRA Mikado. I was generally pleased with the dimensions of the engine as it is within 1" of the firebox dimensions of a Soo L-2. The original cab width also was dead-on for a Soo Mike. Previously, I had built one of this class from a Bowser 2-8-2 and was not satisfied with the results. So after stripping all savable parts from the Bowser model, I began. The walkways were scratchbuilt as was the cab. Piping, air tanks, and details were purchased from Cal-Scale, PSC, and Trackside Specialties. Often, these parts served only as a starting point. I still had to custom bend brass wire to represent sanding lines, steam lines, etc. The front of the loco features a PFM pilot, ladders from Trackside Specialties, and a 79" B&O-type smokebox "face" from PSC which is close to the Soo prototype.
There will be an upcoming story on this model with further information on how I built it in a future issue of the Soo I will update the page here when information is available.
SOO LINE "SAWTOOTH" BOXCARS
Here's one of the "new" kits available for Soo modelers from Speedwitch Media. These models were assembled by my brother Marvin Preussler as a Christmas present for me! (I wish Santa came around everyday!) The model is a real gem as it's based on the old Storzek kit with a few updates including a one-piece body. The rest of the kit falls into the craftsman category with various sizes of styrene strip, wire, grab irons, and all of the underframe detailing one would expect. Marvin painted and decaled the car using the Soo herald with the black background as opposed to the car below with just the white outlined herald.
Marv added some extra weathering to this car. He is an outstanding modeler in his own right but it's too bad he has to model the late 1980's GB&W. The Soo Line could use a few dozen more of these outstanding kits. (Both photos by Marvin Preussler.)