I reached out and grabbed one of the new Athearn RTR Illinois Central SD40-2s from the latest release.  IC 6129 is a locomotive that I have seen and photographed a number of times.  The Illinois Central bought a group of SD40-2s used from the Burlington Northern and rebuilt most of them without dynamic brakes.  These units were common power when I was photographing the Illinois Central in the 1990's.  The model I purchased is not DCC equipped and is fodder for a future LokSound and LED upgrade.

Below is a photograph I took of the prototype IC 6129 in McComb, MS on 2 October 1994.  She is seen leading southbound Memphis, TN to Baton Rouge, LA train MEBR through this historic Illinois Central town:

I also picked up a Fox Valley Models CSX Seven-Post boxcar in a very plain scheme.  This purchase was inspired by an image I recently scanned of a car in the same class, CSXT 134244, in New Orleans which I took in 1996.  The model represented is very close, CSXT 134231.  I am glad to have this unique car in the Meridian Speedway fleet!

Chris

A single-car delivery arrived today in the form of an Atlas GATX 20,700 gallon tank car decorated for Relco Tank Line as RTLX 2048.  Simple is good - love the car!

Chris