As in years past we will be conducting the model, photography, and arts and crafts contest.  As you may have heard, National has introduced a new system of model entries separating scratchbuilt models from others. In order to keep our costs for plaques under control, we have chosen to make no distinction between model entries, scratchbuilt or otherwise.  The winner in each traditionally judged model, photography and arts and crafts category will receive a plaque.  Second and third place winners in each category will receive ribbons. Additionally models scoring 87.5 points or above will receive Merit Award ribbons and AP certificates.

We are introducing a new People’s Choice contest.  All registrants will receive a ballot that will allow them to select their favorite model, favorite photograph, and favorite arts and crafts item.   A plaque will be awarded to the winning model, winning photograph, and winning arts and crafts item. Ribbons will be provided to first, second third place winners in each category.  There will be plaques presented to the model, photo and craft entries receiving the highest overall number of votes.

All contest entrants will be asked to indicate whether their model is meant to be formally judged, entered in the People’s Choice event, or both.

To accommodate our deviation from the National guidelines, we have prepared a special MCR entry form. We encourage the use of the MCR form but will accept the National form. We will still use the National scoring sheet.  Links to these documents are below.

Model Contest Categories

Steam Locomotives

Diesel Locomotives

Freight Cars

Non-revenue Equipment

Cabooses

Passenger Cars

Traction

On-line Structures

Off-line Structures

On-line Displays

Off-line Displays

Photo contest categories

Black and White Model

Black and White Prototype

Color Model

Color Prototype

Color Slide Model

Color Slide Prototype

Arts and Crafts Categories

General

Railroadiana

Needlework

Entry forms: MCR Entry Form 901

                     Judging Form

Contest Rules

Eligibility and General Requirements

1. Any member of the NMRA, in good standing, is eligible to compete, except those persons engaged in the business of the contest entered (i.e. Commercial Model Builder is not eligible for the model contest, professional photographer is not eligible for the photo contest). Commercially built models and commercial photos are not eligible to be entered. Only models, or portions thereof, which are the product of the owner/builder, will be considered by the judges.
2. There will be no restrictions on the number of models entered by a single entrant, nor any entry fee.
3. Entries that have won a first place in any prior National Contest cannot be entered in the same contest category.

Entry - All Contest Events

1. An entry form (MCR #901) including name and address, NMRA membership number, model scale, category and item name or title must be filled out for each model submitted. A claim check will be provided for each item entered. Each entry by proxy must be authenticated by the owner/builder with the owner's valid NMRA membership number.
2. A Judge's Score Sheet for the Judged Model Contest (#902) must be filled out and submitted. It is permissible to additionally submit a typed sheet(s) containing all requested information in lieu of entering the information on the official score sheet. However, the information for each factor (construction, conformity, detail, etc.) must be presented in the same order. The People's Choice Awards, the Photo Contest, and the Arts & Crafts Contest do not require a Judging Sheet.
3. Supplemental information to verify or provide additional description of how the item was built and prototype documentation may also be submitted. However, all supplemental information should be very short, concisely written and presented in order, by factor. The judges will review short, supplemental descriptions, but are under no obligation to review long dissertations.
4. The claim check must be presented to retrieve entries after the Contest

Photo Contest Rules - Additional Requirements

1. Photos produced using either film or digital cameras are permitted.
2. Each member shall be limited to a maximum of ten (10) entries with a maximum of five (5) entries in one category.
3. Prints shall be mounted on flat, rigid board or matted with similar material - no folders or glass frames are allowed. Photo and mount shall not exceed 12" x 16" (30cm x 40cm) in size. Minimum mount size is 8" x 10" (20cm x 25cm) and minimum print size is 5" x 7" (13cm x 18cm).
4. Slides must be in standard 2" by 2" (5cm x 5cm) mounts, and shall be marked on the lower left-hand edge as the slide is viewed. This puts the mark on the top outside edge when the slide is correctly oriented and loaded in a carousel for projection.
5. Prints shall have the entrant's name on the back; slides shall have the entrant's name on the mount. Prints may be titled on the front. Prints with the entrant's name on the front will not be accepted.
6. Exposure of the original slide or photo must have been made by the entrant and cannot have won a first place at any previous National Convention