Amongst the ruins, something new and powerful races past.  During the early fall of 2006, at the height of the economic boom, Artland was an important siding in CN’s attempt to move 40+ trains a day between China and some eastern Wal-Mart.   On this typical sunny afternoon number 5758, an ever-present SD70i, leads a full body cowl unit 5444 through the tall grass at 100 km/hr. (Photo 4)  Only ghosts of children at the ghost of a station are left to count double stacks a mile and a half long.

           Read farther if you dare.  I’m going to get on my scenery soapbox again. For most of us, no matter what scale we choose to model in, much of our scenery should consist of ‘nothing there at all’ but that’s seldom the case.  We always try to jam in everything we can just to show off all our ‘stuff’.  Well, take a look at this scene below.  It’s highlighted by a low sandy cut and a barbed wire fence just behind and ahead of the lead engine.   And lots of grass. 

           While some of us spend months fretting over the non-skid patterns on steps, or a right hand or left hand drain cock, we spoil a beautiful model by showing it off in an improper environment?   Would you take the time to do this scene right to show of that perfect SD75I?