A pattern I’ve noticed with myself is that when I’m trying to get the wheels turning again in this hobby, I have to start a brand new project. This time is no different.

Over the past few years, I have kept an eye on David Bedard’s beautiful 3D printing creations, jealous that most of his prints were CPR equipment. I can’t really put into writing how excited I was when I saw he would release a CNR-Double Ended plow kit.

If you have been following me, you may remember that in late 2021 I finished a three-year off-and-on project of Steve Hunter’s (Eastern Road Models) CNR Double-Ended Transcona Shop Snowplow. To provide a quick bit of history, Steve Hunter released this kit in early 2015, exclusively through Shapeways. At the time, it was a game-changer, to be sure. The model kit consisted of a one-piece body and a separate cupola peice. Due to the nature of Shapeway’s FUD printing process, the kit required a large amount of cleaning and prep. The early days of 3D printing meant that the rivet details were separate from the prints, requiring rivet decals, a cumbersome process requiring many hours of patience to get on the right way. Simply put, it was an excellent kit but not for the faint of heart. But, this is the era of 3D printing Steve had to work in, and he did a fantastic job working within those boundaries.

But I digress.

Fast forward to today, in the past 8 years, the technology of 3D printing has exploded by leaps and bounds. This has already changed the shape of our hobby as we know it, and it’s just getting started. You no longer need a company in NYC to produce a worthwhile print for you- people do it at home with great success, and David Bedard is part of that group success.

With my decision to plan the mid-1970s to abandonment era PEI layout, I realized I would need a double-plow in Morency orange. The amount of time and effort I put into the Steve Hunter kit meant that there was no way I would strip the paint and change its color from boxcar red. No, it will instead earn itself a nice display case to live in along with my super-detailed 44-Tonner, both a homage to SBH, a person who devoted so much time to PEI railroading and the hobby.

This has provided a great excuse to purchase David Bedard’s “CNR Double-Ended Plow Kit.”

I received my kit today, and the prints are stunning. This is just what I need to get the wheels turning again, and I intend to document the build entirely on this blog.

Stay tuned,
CM