All inside activities at one location
A full compliment of contests will await your entries at Gateway 2001 in St. Louis. 113 awards will be presented to winners in 43 categories. Our awards will be spectacular! your hard work will win you a beautiful desk plaque featuring the St. Louis Gateway Arch. It will be gold for First Place and silver for the other awards. You will be proud to feature this plaque on your desk or workbench at home or work as a momento of your visit to the "Gateway to the West" ... it was good enough for Lewis and Clark!
These contests have always been an important and highly attended part of Gateway Division events. A full slate of contest will be offered with lots of room for all categories in the beautiful Missouri and Meramac Rooms of the Regal.
Information on the NMRA National Convention Contests
Location: Missouri Room
Entry and Viewing:
Monday and Tuesday, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday and Thursday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Judging:
Wednesday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
(open for viewing during judging)
Closed for Photos:
Thursday, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Awards Presentation:
Thursday, 9:00 am
Viewing of Winning Entries:
Thursday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Pickup:
Friday, 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Several contests comprise the NMRA National Contest. The Model Contest is broken into 11 categories.
Steam Locomotives — Locomotives representative of steam power.
Diesel Locomotives & Others — All locomotives except steam types and passenger revenue carrying types.
Passenger Cars — All types of passenger revenue carrying equipment, including RDC, rail buses, observation, mail and baggage.
Freight Cars — All types of freight revenue carrying, including express reefers.
Cabooses — All types, including bobbers, drovers, transfers, etc.
Non-Revenue — Right of way and track maintenance vehicles, rail and inspection cars, railroad cranes and others not considered directly involved in revenue service. This includes track-controlling devices including turnouts, crossings, etc.
Structures On-Line and Structures Off-Line — On-Line structures are considered to be those normally owned by the railroad, or having rail loading or unloading facilities on the right of way. Off-Line structures are those not needing direct rail access.
Displays On-Line and Displays Off-Line — Model or models include supplemental scenery not pertinent to the function of the model or primary structure. On-Line and Off-Line definitions are the same as for Structures.
Traction — All equipment associated with urban, suburban and interurban railways, electrically powered.
Each for these categories is judged using the Achievement Program Judging Guidelines. For those with Internet access the guidelines are published on the NMRA website. Awards for each category include a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place plaque. An Honorable Mention Certificate is awarded to those models obtaining 87.5 points but not placing in their category. The Gold Award is given to the model determined to be the "Best of Show" among all the entries.
Additional awards are sponsored by various companies and other individuals in the model railroad community.
"Railroad Model Craftsmen Award" chosen by RMC founder Hal Carstens for the best overall model.
"Bachmann Innovations Award" chosen by Lee Riley, Director of Product Development, for the best use of materials.
"Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Brass Bell" presented to the steam or diesel locomotive best representing "over the road" motive power. Steam is awarded in odd numbered years and diesel in even numbered years.
"United Transportation Union Brass Lantern" for the caboose best representing an "over the road" caboose.
"Kato USA Diesel Award" for the best diesel locomotive entry.
"Key Imports Award" for the best motive power entry.
"Northeastern Scale Models Award" for the best wood kit entry.
"Northeastern Scale Models Youth Award" for the best wood kit by a modeler 18 and under.
"Wm. J. Lenior Locomotive Award" for the best scratchbuilt steam locomotive.
"Testors Locomotive Finish Award" for the best locomotive finish.
"Testors High Iron Award" for the best and most creative paint scheme (difficulty also counts).
"Testors Non-Revenue Award" for the best non -revenue finish, weathered or unweathered.
"Testors Youth Award" for the best model entered by a modeler 18 and under.
"Timber Times Logging Model Awards" 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places presented for the best logging models.
"Most Photogenic Model" sponsored by the editors of the Bulletin, Railroad Model Craftsman, and Model Railroader.
"Achievement Program Kitbash Awards" four awards presented by the AP Department for the best kitbashed motive power, passenger car, freight car, and structure.
"National Contest Judges Award" chosen by a panel of contest judges for their all-around favorite entry.
"National Contest Chairman’s Award" chosen by the National Chairman.
Whether you enter a model in the contest or not, please come by and vote for your favorites in the following Popular Vote categories.
Favorite Train — Assemble your favorite train and see what others think. Plaques are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
Thumbs — Those of you with active imaginations can go wild. There are definitely no prototypes here. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place certificates drawn by Thumbs creator Milt Moore are awarded.
Photo Match — Enter a model or diorama and provide a photo of the prototype or scene to show how close you can get to the real thing. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place plaques will be awarded.
Creativity — Also new, this is for a structure that is not modeled after a prototype but is a product of the builder’s imagination. A plaque will be presented to the structure receiving the most votes.
Member’s Choice — There will be an overall "Best of Show" as selected by the voters as well as a plaque awarded for the best locomotive, car, caboose, structure and diorama as chosen by the members.
This contest is judged by a team of judges at the National Train Show, Friday morning. It is also judged on the AP system but with two additional factors, electrical and ingenuity. There are two categories, Individual and Group. The awards are the same as for the model contest with Best of Show, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place plaques and Honorable Mention Certificates. Additional sponsored awards include:
"International Hobby Corporation Pizzaz Award" for the best overall design.
"Design Preservation Models Award" for the best use of DPM structures.
"Module Contest Chairman’s Award" chosen by the Module Contest Chairman for an exceptionally built module.
Photo Contests consist of six categories and are judged by a group of judges that have experience in the photographic field. The judging methods are the same as are used by most photography associations. It is not a point system but rather consensus choices made by the judges after evaluating them for certain attributes. The categories are Black & White Model Print, Black & White Prototype Print, Color Model Print, Color Prototype Print, Model Slide, and Prototype Slide. The photo awards include Best of Show, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place plaques, Honorable Mention Certificates, and the Photo Contest Chairman’s Award.
The Pass Contest is for those modelers who have created their own passes for their railroad. Here the judges are looking for qualities such as Esthetics, Balance & Readability, Color Match, and Unique Design. Plaques are presented for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.
Locomotive Performance Contest
The Locomotive Performance Contest is a unique contest sponsored by the NMRA. This is a contest where the model builder competes on how well the model runs as compared to the prototype modeled. It is run on a test platform that measures motor efficiency, maintaining a prototype slow speed of 3 scale mph or less, and how closely the model can match a fast speed as compared to the specific model’s prototype, at 12 volts. The categories for this contest are Steam, Diesel & Other, and Special Motor which is designated for those models modified with special high efficiency motors. Last year we introduced another category called the Locomotive Biathalon. This takes the points earned in the performance tests and combines them with points earned in the model contest. Awards in these four categories are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place plaques.
The Switching Contest is sponsored by the local Convention Committee. The Convention designs and builds its own switching contest layout. This provides an opportunity to compete on a different layout design each year. A switching problem is designed and participants are timed for how long it takes them to complete the switching problem. This is a single category and plaques are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.
The Arts & Crafts Contests are for those interested in something besides railroading. Unlike the other contests, Arts & Crafts are open to all convention registrants, whether or not they are NMRA members. The categories are General Original, General Kit-Built, General Pattern, Railroadiana Original, Railroadiana Pattern, Railroadiana Kit-Built, Needlework Original, Needlework Kit-Built, Needlework Pattern. Plaques are awarded for Best of Show, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Special Awards are presented for:
"Theme Award" How well the craft represents a special theme designated each year ("Gateways" this year).
"Ev Williams Memorial Award" chosen by the judges for an exceptional entry.
"Youth Award" for the best craft entered by anyone 18 and under.
"Testor’s Quality of Craftsmanship" for the craft displaying the highest quality workmanship.
The rules are simple and few. With the exception of the Arts & Crafts Contest, the entrant must be an NMRA member and not a professional in the contest entered. The entry must be the sole work of the entrant. An entry form must accompany each entry. The entry cannot have won a 1st place or Gold Award/Best of Show at a previous National Contest.
The Photo Contest carries a couple of additional rules. All photos must be mounted flat on rigid material and can be mounted but not framed. Minimum mount size is 8"x10", maximum mount size is 12"x16", minimum print size is 5"x7". Each entrant is limited to 10 entries with no more than 5 in one category.
The Turkey Creek Division of the Mid-Continent Region is manning the auctions at the Gateway 2001 NMRA National Convention. They plan to provide auctions that suit the needs of sellers and bidders alike. Bring your models when you come and make some money to spend in the auctions or at the Train Show! Our live and silent auctions will feature lots of display space in the lovely Illinois and Mississippi Rooms of the Regal.
A special multi-part form will be used for item check-in. Copies
of the form may be obtained in advance by request to the auctions chairman. It is our understanding that
the advance copies of the form will not be sent out until after the start of May.
If you have questions, email the auctions chairman at auctions@gatewaynmra.org.
Seller Entry: Items for both the silent and live auction are to be registered at the same time. Seller check in will be Monday 6:00 pm-9:00 pm and Tuesday 8:00 am-12:00 pm. Each lot entered into an Auction is required to have an Auction Entry Form filled out. Forms will be available at the registration desk before the Auction and at the Auction desk during open hours. Required information includes Seller's registration number, minimum bid (optional), description (optional), and request to move unsold silent auction item to the live auction (if desired). NOTE: If requested to move unsold silent auction item to the live auction, the seller agrees to reduce the minimum bid by 25%, rounded to the nearest dollar. This request will remain confidential until the Silent Auction has concluded. Items will be placed or directed for placement on tables by the Auction Committee.
Bidding Procedures-Silent: Bidding will be open Tuesday 1:00 pm-9:00 pm and Wednesday 8:00 am until 10:00-11:00 am. Minimum raises will be $ .50 over the previous bid for any bid under $10.00, $1.00 between $10.00 and $100.00, and $5.00 over $100.00 bid. Any bid not meeting requirements will be voided. Decisions of the Auction Committee concerning any disputes are final. Sellers who bid on their own items and buy them back will incur the commission fee. Starting Wednesday 10:00 am and 11:00 am the Auction Committee will begin shutting down the Silent Auction in either one or more tables at a time. Once the Committee declares a stop, no more bids for those table(s) will be allowed. All bids after that time will be voided. The committee will have final discretion to void a bid.
Bidding Procedures-Live: The Live Auction will begin Thursday 5:00 pm with viewing of the items available. Upon entering the Live Auction room you will have available a sheet of colored stickers. If you find items you are interested in bidding on, simply mark the item's bid card with a colored sticker (if not already marked). At 7:00 pm all items marked will be auctioned until the last item is sold. Before leaving the Live Auction, all attendees will check out, and buyers will pay for their items. Sellers who bid on their own items and buy them back will incur the commission fee.
Buyers Pickup: A list of successful buyer numbers will be posted for the Silent Auction by Wednesday at 5:00 pm. All Silent Auction merchandise must be picked up by the buyer, Wednesday 6:00 pm-11:00 pm. All Silent Auction merchandise not picked up by 11:00 pm Wednesday will be considered unsold to the high bidder. All Live Auction items will be delivered at check out time. Settlement must be made before leaving the Live Auction. Cash, check and credit card will be accepted. All disputed bids in the Silent Auction will be settled at the discretion of the Auction Committee. All disputed bids in the Live Auction will be settled at the discretion of the Auctioneer. All decisions of the Auction Committee and the Auctioneer are final. The Auction Committee and Gateway 2001 make no warranty either express or implied as to authenticity, condition or serviceability of any item offered for sale. All items are sold as is. Returns or refunds will not be accepted.
Sellers Settlement: Settlement for Sellers of items in the Silent Auction will be open Thursday 7:00 am-2:00 pm. Settlement for Sellers of items in the Live Auction will be open Friday 7:00 am-10:00 am. All lots unsold at the Silent Auction will be returned to the seller unless requested to be moved to the Live Auction at check in time. All lots unsold at the Silent and Live Auction will be returned to the seller during the settlement period. A 10% commission will be deducted from the total bids. The maximum commission on any single item is $25.00 NOTE: All items unclaimed during the Silent Auction Settlement period and not registered for the Live Auction, or unclaimed during the Live Auction Settlement period, become the property of Gateway Limited. Any variation of this policy due to schedule conflict must be requested at the time of Sellers Entry and agreed to by the Auction Committee. Settlement will be made by cash or check or credit card. No commission will be charged for unsold items.
The Auction Committee and Gateway 2001 accept no liability for theft, loss or damage of any kind in connection with the Silent or Live Auction.
Seller Tips: Package smaller, inexpensive items into larger lots. Use clear plastic zip-lock bags so that items can be viewed clearly. If you really want to sell an item, do not establish any minimum bid. If you feel you need a minimum, make it at least 20-30% less than you really want. This will encourage bidders looking for a deal and chances are you will make even more than what you expected. Once the first bid is cast, an item usually takes off. A higher minimum bid, although less than what it could sell for, will turn off most bidders and usually makes sure the bidding never gets started.