The Category for the October meeting was NonRevenue (including Cabooses): We had 6 entries for judging. The winners were as follows:

1st place went to Rick Montgomery for his entry of a CSX “Autonomous Geo Car” — a car fitted with solar panels to generate power for its laser measuring device that detects faults in and/or other problems with track geometry (uneven railheads and bumps, misaligned joints, etc.). He explained to us how he saw this interesting car while railfanning, managed to take photos of the prototype from various angles, and then built the model based on his photos.

Modeled from an Exact Rail PS 5277 Waffel side boxcar using Fusion Scale Graphics decals to match the prototype. He then added two LED red lights powered by a single 9 volt battery to simulate the Laser Unit.

He also added a door to the A end for access to equipment as per the prototype. The silver domes on the roof are cut and filed sprues from old kits which were drilled out and inserted. The Laser Unit on the bottom is made from foam. Weathered with numerous paints including CSX Blue, rust, burnt umber, silver, and dark grey.

2nd place went to Richard Reichenbach for his entry of an Erie caboose #04927. Heavily modified Quality Craft Models kit, cut and rearranged side panels for correct window locations. Scratch built ladders and scratch built end platform railing detail.

3rd place went to Denny Lippert for his entry of a cut of highly weathered and detailed sand hopper cars and Conrail caboose.

Three additional entries were submitted for the October contest.

Steve Ross entered an HO Delaware & Hudson caboose #35802.

The prototype was built by the Lehigh Valley Railroad in 1945 at their Sayre, PA shops. It was one of 140. Two cars were sold to the D&H in 1973. This paint scheme dates from 1980.

The factory paint on this Bachmann Silver Series model is well done and spot on/ I scratchbuilt the splash guards on the end platforms from styrene and a Detail Associates freight car ladder. The window next to the stove was plated (painted) over. Weathering reflects a 1983 appearance.

The model's original Andrews trucks will eventually be replaced with the correct Kadee Bettendorf style.

Mark Vinski entered Millvale Valley cabooses.

Millvale Valley cabooses kit-bashed from Athearn Santa Fe type cars. The end platforms are mounted to the body to allow for more detailed end arrangements including handles to turn the angle cocks and to pull the cut levers from the platform. Two bodies were combined to get different window arrangements. The cupola was moved to the center of the car.

The underframe was fully detailed with the brake rigging set up for the handbrake on both ends of the car. Propane tank holders are added for the car heating. Drums to drive the electric generators are mounted on one of the axles.

Flashing marker lights are applied to both ends of the car. They are battery powered and controlled by magnetic reed switches. The markers can be displayed on either end of the car. Separate flashers are used for the markers on opposite sides of the car so that the timing of the flashes will vary from one side to the other. This was modeled after the flashers used by the PRR.

Neal Schorr entered a photo of one of his Pennsy cabin cars, N5 #47772.

This page is copied from the Keystone Flyer, Bring‘n’Brag article by Dominic Martinelli.