Baltimore and Ohio-Linking 13 Great States With the Nation

Baltimore and Ohio linked the Eastern Seaboard with Appalachia, the Ohio River and Midwest gateways.  Its slogan "Linking 13 Great States with the Nation."

Elgin Joliet and Eastern-Around, Not Thru Chicago

The Elgin Joliet and Eastern remains a fan favorite.  Its brightly painted locomotives and freight cars have inspired us for generations.  As stated on its box cars, the EJ and E provided a key beltway connecting railroads, steel mills and online industries "Around, Not Thru Chicago."

Thank You To All Have Served on Memorial Day

Thank You to all who have served and gave their lives for our freedom this Memorial Day.

Conrail 11"x17" signed poster by Andy Fletcher

 11"x17" signed Conrail poster by Andy Fletcher for fans of Conrail.
http://stores.ebay.com/andyfletchercustomtrains

CSX Locomotives 11"x17" signed poster

My 11"x17" CSX Locomotives poster and many others are available in my eBay store.
http://stores.ebay.com/andyfletchercustomtrains

Part 1 of Drawing a CSX ES44AH Instructional Video

In this Instructional video, I begin drawing a CSX ES44AH.  I discuss placing the first pencil lines that establish the size, shape and composition of the locomotive.  Constant practice build your eye as you study locomotives and establish their dimensions.  Enjoy drawing trains.

Winchester and Western GP9 Pencil Lines

Here I draw a Winchester and Western GP9.  Drawing develops an eye for detail.  GP9s are very basic locomotives, and a great locomotive to practice your skills.
As you draw GP9s for different railroads, you will find them to be virtually identical, however, to catch the true essence of each railroad, your eye for detail will begin to train itself to minor, sometimes major, differences between railroads and eras of the locomotives.
An immediate spotting difference is whether or not the locomotive has dynamic brakes.  This Winchester and Western GP9 does not.  Railroads such as Lackawanna, Southern Pacific and many others placed some orders with dynamic brakes and some orders without.  Dynamic brakes appear as a blister above the engine room doors on the mid-section of the engine.
Late model GP9s have a single fan over each set of grills.  GP9s such as this Winchester and Western unit have the dual fans.
Through the years, details change on locomotives.  Railroads move horn locations, strobe lights get added, steps get painted in visibility colors.  The more you draw, you will begin to spot the era a locomotive is from.
As you draw, you will spot more and more features.  Every next time you draw, you will find that you are looking at each detail placement and paint variation even more closely.  Enjoy drawing trains.