Contest

The contest room is a highlight of every model railroading convention. It’s easy to be amazed at what your fellows modelers have created, but it’s also a great opportunity to learn, to push yourself to grow as a modeler, and to show the world what a great hobby this is.

Win or lose, the feedback you can get from your entries can be a great way to learn how to build the best quality models possible.

There are a broad range of categories to choose from, so why not participate and help this year be the best ever? Get out those hobby knives, soldering irons, cameras and crocheting needles and get creative!

In addition to the awards for each category, there are a number of special awards from Best Tree to awards for the best logging-themed module. See the overall contest rules for the full list.

If you have any questions or feedback about the contest, please contact the LSR Contest Co-Chairs, Ray Byer and Jeff Palmer, MMR, or the Convention Contest Chair, Jack Merkel, MMR.

Good luck!

Categories

Rules, entry forms, and judging forms are at the bottom of this page.

Models

Steam Locomotive	Types of locomotives that ran off of steam and are representative of steam power. Remember it has to be powered and able to run.
Diesel Locomotive	Types of locomotives that are representative of diesel power. The model must be powered (at least the lead unit) and able to run.
Traction or Other Locomotive	Electrically powered or other locomotives that don’t fit into the Steam or Diesel categories. The model must be powered and able to run.
Passenger Cars	All types of passenger revenue carrying equipment, including RDC, rail buses, observation, mail and baggage. Basically if it was used to carry passengers, it counts.
Freight Cars	All freight revenue carrying equipment, including express reefers, box cars, gondolas, and so on. If the railroads used it to carry freight and generate revenue it’s legal. Any loads or appropriate figures on or in the car will be judged with the car.
Cabooses	All types of caboose and cabin cars including bobbers, drovers, transfers, and so on.
Maintenance of Way	Non-revenue, right-of-way and track maintenance vehicles, rail and inspection cars, railroad cranes, snow removal and other cars not considered directly involved in railroad revenue service. Any loads or appropriate figured on or in the car will be judged with the car.
Structures On Line	On-line structures are considered those to be normally owned by the railroad such as stations, yard buildings, bridges, and so on. This category also includes buildings featuring rail loading/unloading facilities on the right of way. If scenery extends past the building drip line it must be entered in Displays and not this category.
Structures Off Line	Off-line structures are those not needing direct rail access. Again, if scenery extends past the building drip line it must be entered in Displays and not this category.
Bridges & Trestles	Any type of on-line or off-line bridge or trestle used by the railroad to move trains or to move vehicles over railroad tracks.
Displays/Modules	Models or modules which include supplemental scenery. For a model to be in the display/module category, the scenery elements are not pertinent to the function of the model or primary structure. The display/module can be an “On Line” or “Off Line”.
Favorite/Complete Train	Due to the mixture of model types and motive power, this is a non-judged category. A plaque and ribbons will be awarded based on popular vote.

Photos

Arts & Crafts

Railroadiana	Arts or crafts (not a model or photo) that has a railroad motif. Can be from a kit (which includes plans, instructions and materials), pattern (where the material is acquired separately), or an original design.
Needlework	Arts or crafts where the entry is a type of stitching (knitting, embroidery, needlepoint, sewing, etc.)
Special Theme: Connections	Arts or crafts that exemplify the special theme this year, which is “Connections”. This could be anything from a painting to woodcarving to needlepoint. Be creative!
General	Arts or crafts that do not fit into the other arts and crafts categories.

Rules and Forms

Here are the detailed contest rules and entry/judging forms for the various categories (in PDF format):

Also check out the guide for the writeup that should accompany model entries – it’s important to have this completed before you arrive at the convention. The NMRA judging guidelines for models might give you some insight as well.

Good luck! We can’t wait to see your entries!