Celebration (Contests)

Awards

How are NMRA Contest Awards determined?

First, all the models in an NMRA contest are judged/evaluated using the same set of criteria with no differentiation made for scale, type of model, methods of construction, tools used, etc. – all the models are considered equally. Some other groups divide the entrants into classes or smaller groups and then judge them in those groups.

Each of the five criteria elements uses a matrix of difficulty/complexity and quality of work to assign points in each area for each individual model. Once all the models in the contest are judged/evaluated, the single highest model with the most points is declared the “Best in Show” and is awarded the Gold Award. Since it has received the Gold Award, it is removed from consideration of additional category awards, but is eligible for sponsored awards.

Once the Gold Award has been determined, the awards in each of the various categories (motive power, cars, structures, etc.) and classes (scratchbuilt, kit bashed, kit based, etc.) are determined and assigned first, second, and third place according to their score rankings. Additionally, any model that receives a score of 87.5 points or higher also receives an Achievement Program Merit Award and that model can be used to satisfy AP requirements for Merit Awards.

The NMRA process for determining contest awards differs from some other organizations that first judge the entries by class or groupings, determine the first-place winners in each class/group, and then conduct a second round of judging of the first-place winners to determine the “Best in Show” entry.

NMRA does not use the “first among first places” method to determine “Best in Show” since all the models are judged together using a uniform set of judging criteria that apply to all models equally. NMRA has been determining contest awards in this fashion since at least 1972, has reviewed and affirmed the process multiple times over the years, and has determined that the methodology is still consistent with the philosophy of the NMRA and the NMRA Contest Committee..

General -
1. Awards are presented to the winners of the competitive events in recognition of their excellence in modeling, photography and crafting.
2. Modelers may also earn enough points for merit awards in the Achievement Program (AP); however they will be be issued the Merit Award by the Region AP Chairman. The modeler should present the signed judging form to their Region AP Chairman for a Merit Award certificate issuance. The NMRA contest manager submits the contest results to the NMRA AP General Manager who then distributes the scores to the Region AP managers.
3. The Gold Award goes to the single "best" model in the judged scale model contest and is defined as the single model that scores the most points of all the models in the contest. When that model has been identified, it is removed from the contest as it has attained a higher level of recognition than any model in any category - it earns the Gold Award. After the Gold Award model is removed from further consideration, the First, Second, and Third Place models are then identified in every category based on their scores. This policy has been in place for some fifty years (about 1970 or so) and has been affirmed by the NMRA BOD on several occasions. The NMRA does not use the process of first judging the individual categories and then rejudging all the "first place" models to determine the Best in Show since all models are consistently judged using the same set of uniform criteria - this method does not fit with the premise that all models are judged equally.
Judged Scale Model Contest -
1. Place Awards - Once the Gold Award model has been identified and removed from further consideration, First, Second and Third Place awards are given to models in each of the nine categories as shown below in accordance with the ranking of their points scores. One complete set is given for the Scratch Built classification and for the Kit Built classification. Models not achieving a place award but attaining a score of 87.5 or more points (Merit Award level) are given an honorable mention. All models achieving 87.5 or more points are eligible for a merit award except for the display or diorama category for which there is no AP merit award.
  1. Steam Locomotives
  2. Diesel & Other Locomotives
  3. Passenger Car
  4. Freight Cars
  5. Caboose
  6. Non-Revenue
  7. Traction
  8. Structures
  9. Displays
2. Special NMRA Awards -
  1. National Contest Chair's Award
  2. National Contest Judge's Award
  3. Dean Freytag Industrial Structure Award - For Best Industrial Model
  4. Gold Award - For Best Model of Show
3. Sponsored Awards - These change from time to time and may or may not be given at any contest.
  1. Fun and Games Award - For best use of figures
  2. Bachmann Innovations Award - For most innovative model
  3. Fantasonic/Pricom Award - For model most deserving of sound
  4. Hunterline Award - For best Scratch Built wooden model
  5. Mt Albert Scale Model Lumber Company Award - Best Use of Scaled Lumber
  6. Bar Mills Favorite Model Award - Highest Ranking People's Choice Model by ballot
  7. NMRA Magazine Award - Most Photogenic Model
  8. Railroad Model Craftsman Magazine Award
  9. Iwata Award - For most realistic motive power
  10. Iwata Award - For most realistic rolling stock
  11. Wm. J. Lenior Locomotive Award - Best Scratch Built steam locomotive
Module Contest
1. Place Awards - First, Second and Third Place awards are given to modules in each of two classifiactions: individual and group, in accordance with their ranking.
2. Special NMRA Awards
  1. Best-of-Show Award - the Gold Award
3. Sponsored Awards
  1. DPM City Classics Award
Judged Photo Contest
1. Place Awards - First, Second and Third Place awards are given to photographs in accordance with their ranking in the following categories:
  1. Model black & white print
  2. Prototype black & white print
  3. Model color print
  4. Prototype color print
  5. Working on the railroad theme
2. Special NMRA Awards
  1. Best Fan Trip Award
  2. Best Panorama Award
  3. Best Special Effects Award
  4. Best Photo of Show Award
Judged Pass Contest - First, Second and Thrid Place awards are given to passes in accordance with their ranking.
People's Choice Awards -
1. First, Second and Third Place awards are given to the following categories in accordance with their ranking:
  1. Favorite Train
  2. Photo Match
  3. Arts & Crafts - General
  4. Arts & Crafts - Railroadiana
  5. Arts & Crafts Needlepoint
2. In addition First Place awards are given to the following categories in accordance with their ranking:
  1. Locomotives
  2. Rolling stock
  3. Caboose
  4. Structure
  5. Display
  6. Prototype Print
3. Special NMRA Awards
  1. Best-of-Show Arts & Crafts
  2. Thumbs Award (presented to First, Second and Third placing entries for most humorous models)