- Join the NMRA
- About the NMRA
- Education
- Resources
- Community
Search NMRA.org
NMRA Contests Introduction
The following invitation to participate in the national contests was written from the heart by Ray Bilodeau, the former chairman. Sadly, Ray passed away on December 23, 2007. As the new national contest chairman, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Bob Hamm. I am an MMR and have been the NER contest chairman for the last six years. I have been involved in the contest both as a judge and contestant for some 38 years. In taking over the national post I want to re-emphasize Dr. Ray’s wonderful message and let you all know that my staff and I intend to carry on with the same positive, inclusive and encouraging approach.
Bob Hamm, MMR NMRA National Contest Chairman
We do contests! Why not join us at the NMRA national convention. Our mission is to give our members a positive and rewarding learning experience.
When you choose to enter any NMRA sponsored and sanctioned model, photo and arts and crafts contest you will be testing your skills as a modeler, photographer or crafter. You will be judged only by the work you bring to us. You will not be judged against another model or modeler, photo or photographer, craft item or crafter.
Our model judges are not chosen randomly from members passing through on the way to a clinic. Judges are chosen carefully by the Manager and his staff which include three Master Model Railroaders.
Model contest judges also follow a specific set of guidelines set up for the Achievement Program and NMRA contests.
- We are scale blind when analyzing and judging models.
- Your entry will be judged by a team of judges, guided by an experienced judge-team leader. At least three people will examine and discuss your entry in each category of model judging.
- The Contest department judges also will provide each entrant with specific positive comments on his or her model, stressing how the modeler might improve on the work submitted.
- A model contest judge, and, or, a member of the Contest staff are always available to answer any questions you might have.
Having trouble finding, or figuring out what to do with the paperwork for contests? Have you asked yourself why can’t those morons produce a form I can fill out at my keyboard? These are national contests, is there someone out there who can answer my questions about forms 901, 902, and 903?
Yes, we can help all of you who want to enter any of our national contests.
Hope to see you in the contest Room in Anaheim in July.
Ray Bilodeau
You Could Be The Next Winner!
Part of the fun of belonging to the NMRA is entering your work in a contest! There is nothing more fulfilling than coming home with an 1st place plaque, especially since it was so much fun to build anyway!There are many different events and awards that make up National, Regional, and Divisional contests. This page is dedicated to the presentation of the types of National contests that are given at the National Convention each year.
So dig out that hobby knife, camera, or your favorite crochet needles and get to work...another contest is coming up soon!
New Feature!
Since paperwork seems to be the biggest complaint from most people entering model contests, or used as the most frequent excuse for not entering contest, there now is help. If you are concerned about your paperwork and whether you have provided sufficient information for the judges, you can now get your model write up reviewed in advance. There is a team of MMRs and Region Contest Chairmen who will review your paperwork and provide guidance on how to improve your submission.
If you want to take advantage of this service you can send your paperwork to me, the National Contest Chairman, and I will forward it to the committee. Your paperwork will be personally reviewed by one of the members and you will be provided with specific comments and recommendations. If you can submit your paperwork in digital format, word processing or text files, it will greatly speed up the process. If you send a hard copy, please send a COPY, not the original. And please don't wait until the last minute to get your paperwork submitted.
My e-mail address is: contest@hq.nmra.org.
My Postal address:
Bob Hamm
NMRA National Contest Chairman
460 Grand Ave.
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Thanks!
Bob Hamm
NMRA National Contest Chairman
A note to the contestants...
Contests are designed to reward your good work, to encourage better modeling, and to show the world what a great hobby this is! Look at a contest as not a means to compete against others, but as a way to compete against yourself. Its a great way to learn how to build the best quality models possible.
Judges are always needed for contests, but are sometimes reluctant to volunteer because of fear of negative feedback from contestants or the great amount of time and hard work involved in judging a contest. Always take time to thank the judges for their efforts, and learn from their comments!