Each year, the Model and Photo Contest for Santa Fe and BNSF models is a highlight of the Annual Convention. 2017 was no exception to this rule. The SFRH&MS sponsors four modeling contests each year: AT&SF model (popular vote); AT&SF Technical Contest (judged vote); BNSF model (popular vote); and BNSF Technical Contest (judged vote). The Society also sponsors two hybrid model photography contests, one for the AT&SF and one for the BNSF. Finally, the Society sponsors three prototype photography contests, AT&SF black and white photograph, AT&SF color photograph, and BNSF photograph.
2017 Santa Fe Model Contest – Popular Vote
Santa Fe Best of Show
2017 ATSF President’s Award for Technical Excellence – Mike Brusky, Drott Intermodal Crane
Mike Brusky accepts 2017 Best of Show ribbon from Dave Greenberg, contest committee member.
Santa Fe Best First Time Entry
Best First Time Entry – Fort Madison, Iowa, Depot, by John Wegner. Based on laser cut kit by Society member Kevin Looff.
John Hotvet accepting Best First Time Entry Award for Fort Madison, Iowa depot model
Santa Fe Steam Locomotive Category
ATSF Mallet (2-8-8-0) #3299. Initially assembled as the 3200 class by Santa Fe from 1950 Class Consolidations and parts from Baldwin in 1911, they were renumbered into the 3296 class in 1917. The units under performed and were returned to Consolidations (the 3200 class) in 1923. This model was scratch built in brass by Master Santa Fe Modeler Ian MacKellar and shows the engine in its final appearance before being broken back up. This engine received a Certificate of Technical Excellence for Motive Power and First Place Steam Locomotive in 2017. Model by Ian MacKellar, SFRH&MS photo. HO scale.
ATSF Mikado (2-8-2) #4030 was built by Baldwin in 1923.
It was part of the 4000 Class. This model received a Certificate of Technical Merit for Motive Power and Second Place Steam Locomotive in 2017. Model by Harlan Boyce, SFRH&MS photo. HO scale.
ATSF Heavy Mountain (4-8-4) #3781. This member of the 3776 Class was built by Baldwin in 1941. This model shows an example with the original boiler. It received Third Place Steam in 2017. Model by Ramon Rhodes, SFRH&MS photo. HO scale.
2017 ATSF Steam Locomotive Category winners, from l to r: Harlan Boyce (2nd), Ian MacKellar (1st), Ramon Rhodes (3rd)
Santa Fe Diesel Locomotive Category
Ex-U23B 6332, wrecked, rebuilt as SF30B, renumbered second 7200 and repainted in blue and yellow warbonnet July 1987 at Cleburne.
Renumbered 6419 after October 1988. Renumbered BNSF 4276 January 29, 2000 (rostered by BNSF as a B23-7). Model by Sammy Carlile in SF30B appearance post October 1988. It received a Certificate of Technical Merit in 2017.
Ex-Amtrak 649, obtained by ATSF in September 1984. Rebuilt as a ATSF SDF40-2, renumbered 5265 and repainted to blue and yellow warbonnet in April 1985. Renumbered to BNSF 6974 March 10, 1998 and retired May 2002. Model by Sammy Carlile. It received a Certificate of Technical Merit for Motive Power in 2017.
ATSF VO 1000 #2214 was built by Baldwin in 1939. Here it is shown in its original “zebra strip” scheme with tall stacks. Modeler unknown; SFRH&MS photo.
2017 Diesel Locomotive category winners (from l to r): Harlan Boyce (3rd), Sammy Carlile (2nd and 1st)
Santa Fe Multiple Unit Diesel Locomotive Category
ATSF MU Diesel 1st Place – Sammy Carlile, Cow and Calf 1329
ATSF F3 #31LABC. Built by EMD October 1948/January 1949 as an F3A/F3B combination. Delivered to ATSF shortly thereafter in red and silver short warbonnet with horizontal slit grilles, low db fans, and stainless steel panels. Vertical slit stainless steel grilles added sometime after 1949. This model shown in red and silver warbonnet scheme. This model received a Certificate of Technical Merit for Motive Power in 2017. Model by Harlan Boyce, SFRH&MS photo.
2017 ATSF MU Diesel 3rd Place – Thomas Cain, F45 #5983
2017 ATSF MU Diesel winners, l to r: Harlan Boyce (2nd), Sammy Carlile (1st), Thomas Cain (3rd)
Santa Fe Passenger Car Category
Certificate of Technical Excellence for Rolling Stock – J. Stephen Sandifer, RPO #2026
Certificate of Technical Merit for Rolling Stock – J. Stephen Sandifer, T.103
2017 ATSF Passenger Car Winner – J. Stephen Sandifer (1st and 2nd Place)
Santa Fe Freight Car Category
SFRD #14411 is an Rr-34 class refrigerator rebuilt from earlier cars. This model received First Place freight car at the 2017 Convention and a Certificate of Technical Merit for Rolling Stock. Model by Peter Aue.
Certificate of Technical Merit for Rolling Stock – J. Stephen Sandifer Tank #99678
ATSF Freight Car 3rd Place – John Hotvet, Flat #90749 with load
2017 ATSF Freight Category winners, from l to r: John Hotvet (3rd), Peter Aue (1st), J. Stephen Sandifer (2nd)
Santa Fe Way Car (Caboose) Category
2017 ATSF 1st Place Way Car – J. Stephen Sandifer, #1901
2017 ATSF Way Car 2nd Place – Thomas Cain #999177
2017 ATSF Way Car 3rd Place – Ramon Rhodes, Waycar #999299
2017 ATSF Way Car Category Winners, l to r: Ramon Rhodes (3rd), Thomas Cain (2nd), J. Stephen Sandifer (1st)
Santa Fe Maintenance of Way Category
2017 ATSF Maintenance of Way 1st Place – J. Stephen Sandifer, Gondola #165059
2017 ATSF Maintenance of Way 2nd Place – Richard Buller, Work Train with crane
2017 ATSF Maintenance of Way Category Winners (l to r): J. Stephen Sandifer (1st), Richard Buller (2nd)
Santa Fe Intermodal Category
2017 ATSF President’s Award for Technical Excellence – Mike Brusky, Drott Intermodal Crane
2017 ATSF Intermodal 2nd Place – Jurgen Dietrichkeit, Container and Piggyback cars
2017 ATSF Intermodal 3rd Place – Sammy Carlile, ATTX #190988 with trailers
2017 ATSF Intermodal Category Winners, l to r: Sammy Carlile (3rd), Mike Brusky (1st), Jurgen Dietrichkeit (2nd)
Santa Fe Structures Category
This is a model of the Santa Fe depot in Fort Madison, Iowa. It received a Certificate of Technical Merit for Structures and first place in structures. Model by John Wegner, SFRH&MS photo. HO scale.
This model of the Santa Fe and Missouri-Kansas-Texas Union Depot in Bartlesville, Oklahoma was scratchbuilt by Kevin Looff from original engineering plans. It received a Certificate of Technical Excellence for Structures and Second Place – Structures in 2017. Model by Kevin Looff, SFRH&MS photo. HO scale.
Certificate of Technical Excellence for Structures – Brian Banks, Lometa, TX, roundhouse
2017 ATSF Structures Category Winners, l to r: Kevin Looff (2nd), John Wegner (1st), Brian Banks (3rd)
2017 Santa Fe Model Photo Contest – Popular Vote
2017 ATSF Model Photo 1st Place – Sammy Carlile, Super Fleet locomotives
2017 ATSF Model Photo 2nd Place – J. Stephen Sandifer, F unit pulling into station
2017 ATSF Model Photo 3rd Place – Don Paskewitz, high level cars
2017 ATSF Model Photo Category Winners, l to r: Don Paskewitz (3rd), J. Stephen Sandifer (2nd), Sammy Carlile (1st)
2017 Santa Fe Technical Contest
Unlike the popular vote contest, the Technical Contest aims at judging the quality of the modeling that is presented. Each model is judged by interested Society members for the following characteristics:
Prototype accuracy (maximum 10 points). Prototype accuracy is determined by comparing the model to photo(s) of the prototype car and judging for accuracy against this standard. Any deviation from the prototype typically will result in deduction of points. Careful modeling of a specific prototype photo or explanation of why deviations from the photo are prototypical is required.
Modeling effort (maximum 10 points for scratch building, 9 points for kitbash, 7 points for kit). The modeler must show, through photos or description of work done, the amount of modeling effort put into the project, with particular attention to major kitbashing or development of modeling solutions for issues without current RTR or model solutions.
Finish, painting, lettering and weathering (maximum 5 points). The modeler must show exemplary finishing on the model, properly representing the model for its period. Photos are helpful.
In order to qualify for a Certificate of Technical Excellence, a modeler must achieve 22 of 25 points, determined by the truncated average of all scores (highest and lowest are eliminated). A Certificate of Technical Merit requires 17 points, determined by the truncated average of all scores (highest and lowest are eliminated). The best overall model qualifying for a Certificate of Technical Excellence receives the President’s Award for Technical Excellence; the best overall freight car model qualifying for a Certificate of Technical Excellence receives the Richard H. Hendrickson Award for Technical Excellence in Freight Car Modeling. Awards are given in Motive Power, Rolling Stock, and Structures.
2017 President’s Award of Technical Excellence
2017 ATSF President’s Award for Technical Excellence – Mike Brusky, Drott Intermodal Crane
2017 ATSF President’s Award for Technical Excellence is presented to Mike Brusky for this Drott Intermodal Crane by Society President Eric Hiser
Richard Hendrickson Award for Technical Excellence in Freight Car Modeling
Ian MacKellar received the award for his Rr-S class refrigerator car #9812. We hope to have a photo of this car in the near future.
2017 Certificates of Technical Excellence
ATSF Mallet (2-8-8-0) #3299. Initially assembled as the 3200 class by Santa Fe from 1950 Class Consolidations and parts from Baldwin in 1911, they were renumbered into the 3296 class in 1917. The units under performed and were returned to Consolidations (the 3200 class) in 1923. This model was scratch built in brass by Master Santa Fe Modeler Ian MacKellar and shows the engine in its final appearance before being broken back up. This engine received a Certificate of Technical Excellence for Motive Power and First Place Steam Locomotive in 2017. Model by Ian MacKellar, SFRH&MS photo. HO scale.
Certificate of Technical Excellence for Rolling Stock – J. Stephen Sandifer, RPO #2026
Certificate of Technical Excellence for Structures – Brian Banks, Lometa, TX, roundhouse
This model of the Santa Fe and Missouri-Kansas-Texas Union Depot in Bartlesville, Oklahoma was scratchbuilt by Kevin Looff from original engineering plans. It received a Certificate of Technical Excellence for Structures and Second Place – Structures in 2017. Model by Kevin Looff, SFRH&MS photo. HO scale.
2017 Certificates of Technical Merit
ATSF Mikado (2-8-2) #4030 was built by Baldwin in 1923.
It was part of the 4000 Class. This model received a Certificate of Technical Merit for Motive Power and Second Place Steam Locomotive in 2017. Model by Harlan Boyce, SFRH&MS photo. HO scale.
Ex-Amtrak 649, obtained by ATSF in September 1984. Rebuilt as a ATSF SDF40-2, renumbered 5265 and repainted to blue and yellow warbonnet in April 1985. Renumbered to BNSF 6974 March 10, 1998 and retired May 2002. Model by Sammy Carlile. It received a Certificate of Technical Merit for Motive Power in 2017.
Ex-U23B 6332, wrecked, rebuilt as SF30B, renumbered second 7200 and repainted in blue and yellow warbonnet July 1987 at Cleburne.
Renumbered 6419 after October 1988. Renumbered BNSF 4276 January 29, 2000 (rostered by BNSF as a B23-7). Model by Sammy Carlile in SF30B appearance post October 1988. It received a Certificate of Technical Merit in 2017.
ATSF F3 #31LABC. Built by EMD October 1948/January 1949 as an F3A/F3B combination. Delivered to ATSF shortly thereafter in red and silver short warbonnet with horizontal slit grilles, low db fans, and stainless steel panels. Vertical slit stainless steel grilles added sometime after 1949. This model shown in red and silver warbonnet scheme. This model received a Certificate of Technical Merit for Motive Power in 2017. Model by Harlan Boyce, SFRH&MS photo.
SFRD #14411 is an Rr-34 class refrigerator rebuilt from earlier cars. This model received First Place freight car at the 2017 Convention and a Certificate of Technical Merit for Rolling Stock. Model by Peter Aue.
Certificate of Technical Merit for Rolling Stock – J. Stephen Sandifer Tank #99678
Certificate of Technical Merit for Rolling Stock – J. Stephen Sandifer, T.103
2017 ATSF 1st Place Way Car – J. Stephen Sandifer, #1901
This is a model of the Santa Fe depot in Fort Madison, Iowa. It received a Certificate of Technical Merit for Structures and first place in structures. Model by John Wegner, SFRH&MS photo. HO scale.
