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I was on You Tube last night and happened to see a video of a Model car building competition and have been thinking ever since that it would be neat to have something similar for layout buildings,detailed,kit-bashed, scratch -built etc. We could have vendors such as Ameri-towne, Scenic Express, korber,  Menards,just to name a few, as sponsors! It would give the very talented people out there,many of them forum members,a showcase for their efforts! Now that I have shared this someone will tell me that there are already such contests! One more thing going on I know nothing about! I'm sure you get inspired by seeing what is possible as I do! This of course could be expanded to include other gauges as well. Just an idea!
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Just my opinion but, I don't understand how a "national contest" could possibly work.

 

1) Where would it be held?

 

2) Who would conduct the judging of each category?

 

3) No mater where it was held, many individual modelers as well as the judges would have to travel great distances in order to attend.

 

4) How would security be handled to protect all the entrants?

 

5) Would such a contest be open to public viewing?

 

6) What would be the "entrance fee"? Somehow the venue would have to be paid for.

 

7) The individual modeler/contestants would have to be housed in some way, i.e. hotel?

A lot of logistical considerations as mentioned by Hot Water. Some years ago, another forum group used to have a show and tell at York when we met for lunch. Some neat stuff was brought and passed around. It lasted fro a few meets, but that was small potatoes compared to a national competition. 

One scenario that might work, would be regional competitions, with the winners moving on to a national finals setting. Still, a lot of logistics. 

York could be a place for attendees to bring such items, with recognition but no prizes. Judging could be done by a mix of vendors, non competing craftsmen/women and division members?

Interesting topic.

Don

All your ideas ,especially the regional competition feeding into a national final are great! And the concerns are legitimate! Just an idea! I was really interested and awed by the car thing last night and as I mentioned the stuff I see at york! For example,way back on this forum,before Christmas  I happened to see a post of someone who was doing a whole block of buildings from Ameri-towne parts, different distances from the curb.fascinated me and I keep waiting for pictures of the finished product! Hope you guys like the topic ! Run with it!!
Originally Posted by Hot Water:

Just my opinion but, I don't understand how a "national contest" could possibly work.

 

1) Where would it be held?

 

2) Who would conduct the judging of each category?

 

3) No mater where it was held, many individual modelers as well as the judges would have to travel great distances in order to attend.

 

4) How would security be handled to protect all the entrants?

 

5) Would such a contest be open to public viewing?

 

6) What would be the "entrance fee"? Somehow the venue would have to be paid for.

 

7) The individual modeler/contestants would have to be housed in some way, i.e. hotel?

And, all of that is available handled every year at the NMRA Nat'l convention and at many of the Regional NMRA conventions.

 

I oversee this activity - Contest Room - every year for one of the NMRA regions.

Nice idea!!! Competition could be held over a fixed period where by entrants could submit a number of photo's and a narrative, then finalists could send or bring their entrants to York for final judging in person.

 

Think about having two categories, scratch built and Kit Bashed.

 

Just some of my thoughts. overall a great idea

" It would give the very talented people out there,many of them forum members,a showcase for their efforts! "

 

   I don't think they really need a place to showcase their efforts, they already have websites like this to post how to do blogs or threads. It's more a matter of willingness to document and write up the articles than a matter of no opportunity. I think most modelers just want to build the stuff and work on their layout instead of taking time to show it off or explain how to do something similar, but I really appreciate the efforts of those who take the time to teach or answer questions about techniques.....DaveB

play trains that is actually a Bar Mills kit Saulenas Tavern which comraderie bar & grill was cloned from. this was in Feb of 2013 the copy wasn't out yet..........

 

colorado hirailer you should have been at the narrow gauge show in Greene township in NE Ohio this March you would have been blown away at some of the models on display there. if anyone says there are no model builders out there they have been smelling too much glue from assembling their plasticville buildings.

A regular contest would draw other modelers from other areas of life too.

Car shows are a good example. They have model contests around here regularly at big shows(bikes & cycles too.)

You will see diorama makers that are really only there because of the contest, and the fact their present work has autos as the theme so it applies.

But that doesn't mean some don't leave with a real hotrod build brewing in their minds.

Throw enough train crap, and it may stick to someone new.

Like Midnight wrecking, I was wondering if the topic was internet based.

Been involved with similar "build-offs" on other forums. A set time to build, a set of simple rules. Contestants post photos and a write up on the prescribed day and then judging begins. Sometimes by the contestants (can't vote for your own) and sometimes by the non combatants.

 

Then again, it doesn't have to be a competition; it could be a means of showcasing ones models in various categories. It could include bridges, rolling stock, locomotives, scenery and buildings, including kits, scratch built and kit bashed models. There could be categories of builders from novice to professional. It could also be done in person, and on line. There are many craftsmen on this forum, but also many many others on other forums and groups across the country. Venues could include chapters, divisions and final judging at York. As far as bridges and structures, there would be no differences, only in rolling stock and locomotives, but this would probably only apply to wheels. Many three railers use scale draft gear, and some use scale wheels. The only differences being pickup rollers and a third rail. 

Don

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