CONTEST PAGE

The February meeting was filled with smiling faces, train chat, pizza, train videos, and a model contest. What else does anyone need? The contest subject matter was "Project 20". A small train station that had a footprint no larger than 20 square inches. There were some fine entries which included 3 different scales, HO, S, and O. First place went to Craig Butler's entry. Craig took a dusty, old kit that he had for years and turned it into a great looking model of a small station. Most voters thought that that station needed a first place award. I agree. Another fine model was presented by Joe Kurilec and that model received a second place. An S scale model entered by John Henning came in third place. The diorama entries found Mr. Cheerios (Dave Lawler) entering another one of his fantastic models which rightfully took first place. Much like Craig in the model entries, Dave had this plaster cast setting around for years. Dave, with his magic touch, turned this model into a fun diorama. Second place went to a diorama entered by Joe Filipiak that depicted a true event that happened in 1968. The diorama showed the Grafton Station 1/10 of a second from destruction. Frank Bongevani's entry had an interesting crossover track work in front of a really small station and an assortment of other buildings near the station. Frank's entry came in third place.

The March contest is second generation diesels. This could be GP 7, GP 30, GP 35, SD 20, SD 35, S 1, S 2, you get the picture. These diesels were purchased new usually by class 1 railroads then as they aged and newer engines were bought, the older diesels were sold off. These older, used diesels many times were bought by short lines and repainted and relettered to reflect the short line's colors and name. That's what we are looking for in the March contest. The April contest is a rail car that serves the steel industry.

Well, I have said all that I believe needs to be said right now, so it's time to go do something else that is important, like running trains. See you in March.