Looks like a lot of sharpening has given this almost a painted/drawn look. If deliberate, you maybe could have gone a little further, but if you're going for photo-realism I think less sharpening would work better.
I love to go in them. We have one here on a side rail. And the keep it in good shape. They are so neat. Wish the slow trains would come back. This was really a good shot. I would have iked it better in color, especially if it is red. It has been sharpeded way too much, Unless you were going for the "sketch look". Which, in that case, you did a really good job. This almost looks like it is a personal rather than public cabbose. Hope you let us see it in it's original form.
Not a cliche, and the texture looks like you took a picture of a painting or something, or maybe used a PS effect? I like it however, but it doesn't fit the challenge. :(
This is a really nice image... i love the black and white, but the jpeg artifacting here doesn't really seem to do much for me... i think this image would be a lot stronger without it... - setzler