Celebrations and Contests

We hope you will bring your models, photos, and crafts to Cleveland to share your work with those who can appreciate what you have done. All entries will be eligible for People’s Choice awards and, if you would like your entry judged, you can enter the contests. Here are the award categories:

MODEL● PHOTO ● ARTS & CRAFTS ● PEOPLE'S CHOICE .● BEST IN SHOW

Within each category is a list of topics that will be judged. For each topic a 1st place plaque, as well as 2nd and 3rd place ribbons will be awarded.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE CONTEST

Locomotive
Caboose
Car
Structure
Display
Train
T-Track Module
Other Module
Prototype Photo
Model Photo
Arts & Craft Entry

PHOTO CONTEST

Model B/W Photo
Model Color Photo
Prototype B/W Photo
Prototype Color Photo

MODEL CONTEST

Steam Locomotive
Diesel & Other Locomotive
Traction
Passenger Car
Freight Car
Caboose
Non-Revenue Car
Stucture
Display

ARTS & CRAFTS

Railroadania
Needlework
General/Other

BEST IN SHOW

Arts & Crafts
Photograph
Model
Module

The People’s Choice ballots will be in your registration packets and must be turned in by 5:00 p.m. Friday in the Celebration Room.

A train is defined as a locomotive with one or more pieces of rolling stock and a tailend car, if applicable. Each train should be set up on track provided by the entrant. Each entrant will be limited to one train of six feet or less in length.

The Judged Contest will follow the NMRA guidelines which you can find on the NMRA website

The judging of the Model Contest is conducted by teams of experienced judges using a point scoring system providing a grade between zero and 125 points. Five factors are judged including construction, conformity, detail, appearance, and scratch built. The final point score is the basis for award ranking. Attaining a point score of 87.5 points or more entities the entrant to a Merit Award which counts towards Master Builder Certificates in the NMRA Achievement Program.

You can download all the MCR Contest Entry Forms and the Judges Score sheets

Entries to be judged or display only will be accepted, along with viewing, in the Celebration Room at the following times

Thursday, May 16 from 3 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Friday, May 17 from 9 a.m. until noon.

Judging will be performed on Friday, May 17 at 1:00 p.m. After the judging commences, entries are no longer accepted, the public can view the entries, but may not talk to the judges. The Celebration Room closes when judging is completed.

MEET THE MODELERS, CRAFTERS, and PHOTOGRAPHERS

Saturday 10:00 a.m. until Noon. Here is an opportunity for everyone to meet the folks who have displayed their work. Awards for the entries, including People’s Choice awards, will be displayed by the entry so you can see the winners up close. The First-Place awards, People’s Choice awards, and Best of Show awards will be formally presented at Saturday night’s banquet.

Entries should be picked up by the entrants on Saturday from Noon – 2:00 p.m. in the Celebration Room.

The NMRA has held contests for many years at National and Regional Conventions as well as many Divisional Meets. The Judged Model Contest is typically considered the prime event. Visit the NMRA Contest Page for more information

The North Coast Limited is presented by:

The North Coast Division
Division Four
Mid-Central Region
National Model Railroad Association

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