MCRR Image Finalized - C425 2425 Arrives

Well it has been almost a year since my last post here on the Meridian Speedway blog.  There have been many distractions and time seems to fly by faster than ever!  You may notice the website now has a newer format.  Though it is a bit nicer, all of the individual page headings and slideshows were deleted with the upgrade.  I have spent a great amount of time trying to replace some of the lost data.  That project continues.

That being said, the good news is that I have finally decided on the scheme for my third proto-freelanced model railroad.  My version of the Mississippi Central (MCRR) has been in development for the last two years.  This railroad compliments my Yazoo and Mississippi Valley and is the other half of the IC regional spin-off property in Mississippi in the Meridian Speedway storybook.

The paint schemes I experimented with numbered approximately two-dozen.  The above image represents the final version.  I sent my specifications to Circus City Decals and was pleasantly surprised with a very quick turnaround on artwork and printed decals.  The first sheet arrived yesterday!

The above artwork was the final version provided by Circus City before we went to press.  Though the MCRR does not roster any EMD locomotives, the GP38 used for design purposes does look sharp!  

The Y&MV pays tribute to its Illinois Central heritage with a paint scheme inspired by the classic black scheme worn by Illinois Central freight locomotives which displayed the famous "Green Diamond" logo.  The Y&MV rosters only EMD locomotive.

In contrast the MCRR rosters no EMD locomotives and the paint scheme is inspired by the Illinois Central "Chocolate-and-Orange" passenger scheme.  Intentionally the colors are not the exact Illinois Central shades of orange, brown, and yellow.  I have decided to go with Scalecoat II 2014 "PRR Caboose Red" for the long hood and running gear, Scalecoat II 2015 "Reefer Yellow" for the cab, and Scalecoat II 2016 "Reefer Orange" for the nose and hood band.  The yellow band and frame stripes will be from the decal set.

Last week the first locomotive destined for the MCRR roster arrived in the form of a LokSound-equipped Atlas Alco C425 model decorated as Delaware Lackawanna 2457.  The paints also arrived directly from Minuteman Scale Models.  

This decal sheet is my first ever order from Circus City.  They do look nice!  I am looking forward to getting this project underway!

More to come....

​CMP