BMRC Contest Page

BCN home page | Recreation Center | BMRC Home Page

Last Modified On: Saturday, February 25, 2006

2006 BMRC Intra-club Model Contest Rules and Categories                                   Updated 12/30/05

All BMRC members in good standing are encouraged to bring one or more of their contest entries to the monthly intra-club contest. All entries must be the work of the entrant, no “team” entries are allowed. No ready-to-run (RTR) models are allowed unless they have been significantly altered from their RTR condition. In the case of multiple entries per member, only the highest-scoring entry in each Tier may win an award or score points towards “Modeler of the Year”. The entry may be anything from a single item to a complete diorama, so long as it fits into that month's theme and it may be displayed at the meeting. A brief written description of the entry, or a photo of the prototype, is always welcome.

Contest “Tiers”: A club member may enter either or both of the following:

Tier I - This is an “Open” category for members of all skill levels and experience. Any model or diorama, be it a stock kit, modified from a kit, a major conversion or scratch-built, that fits the monthly theme is eligible for Tier I.

Tier II – This is a “Kit-based” category, restricted to models built from a kit (or kits) that fit the monthly theme. In order to be eligible, the entry must be built in accordance with the original kit(s) instructions. For rolling stock and motive power, the color and lettering may be changed from those (if any) on the original kit, and the wheels, trucks and couplers may be altered to be compatible with the entrant’s layout requirements. All other parts and details must be as in the original kit. In the case of a structure, no major variations in the kit building will be allowed. Changes to building color and signage are allowed, as are changes to the building’s base or foundation to allow it to fit on the entrant’s layout. Entries may be weathered if desired. Entrants are strongly urged to bring the kit’s instruction sheet(s) as proof of meeting the kit-based requirement for Tier II.

Monthly Contests: Each monthly contest is scored by popular vote. Members and visitors attending the club meeting will be given a ballot sheet for each Tier and will choose a 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place entry from each. These votes will be tallied and the results will be announced before the end of the meeting. Entries will be awarded three points for a 1^st place vote, two for 2^nd and one for 3^rd.

First place each tier will be awarded a blue ribbon, 2nd place a red ribbon and 3rd place a white ribbon. Should there be only one entry in a category, that entry will be given 1st place and the corresponding points towards “Modeler of the Year”. In case of any ties for any place, the entry with the greatest number of 1st place votes will be given the award. Entries awarded 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in any previous BMRC intra-club model contest in either Tier are not eligible.

“Modeler of the Year”: Each month, the 1st place winner in each tier will receive 4 points towards their yearly total. The 2nd place winner gets 3 points, and the 3rd place winner gets 2 points. One “appearance point” is automatically each member who enters the contest but does not place. At the end of the year, the points are totaled and the member with the highest total will become “Modeler of the Year” in that Tier. If there is a tie in total points, the modeler with the most 1st place finishes will be declared the winner. Awards will be provided for the winner and the runner-up in each Tier.

Categories/Themes:

January – Rolling Stock
February – On-line Structures, or structures served directly by the railroad
March - Steam Powered Locomotives
April – Off-line Structures, or structures not directly associated with a railroad and served by it (homes, stores, farms, etc. with no railroad track in sight on the entry)
May – Diesel and Other Motive Power, including electric, gas, hand, wind and horse powered vehicles that rode the rails
June – Where Rails Meet the Water, or railroad bridges, ships and the waterfront
July – Detailed Display Track, emulating prototype trackage (36” maximum length)
August – Weathered Models, showing the effects of time on railroads and structures
September - Anything Goes, open theme this month
October – Cabooses and MOW Cars
November – Photographs, b/w and color prints (see special rules below)
December – Winter Wonderland, or the modeling of snow on the railroad

Photo Contest – Like models entered in the model contests, all photo entries must be the work of the entrant. There will be two “Classes” for
this contest, 1) Model photos and 2) Prototype photos. No “points” towards “Modeler of the Year” in either Tier will be awarded for this
contest.

Gerry Cole, 2006 Contest Coordinator

Gerry Cole, Contest Coordinator

Return to BMRC Home Page