OK, I hope that in reading this series on Model Contests, you have
decided to enter one of your better model projects! Remember, there
are many categories: locomotives, rolling stock, cabooses, passenger cars,
structures, non-revenue, displays, and traction.
There are some steps that you can do at home before arriving at a meet.
You can write up some additional descriptions of what you did to build
this model. By setting down at home and writing about how you built this
model, you will have a chance to mention any special steps you took in
building, or kitbashing this model. You can explain any scratch building
that was done on this project. It would also help to list all the detail
parts that you added. You can also provide information
on how your model conforms to a prototypical locomotive, car, or structure.
You can indicate how you painted, decaled, or weathered the model.
You may provide as much information as you wish. If you are wanting to work towards an achievement program award you will want to provide more information, focusing on the areas of conformity, and where you scratch built part of the model. One of our area modelers, Frank Herminick always does an excellent job of providing information about the steps he went through in the building of a model. His explanation of the construction of a model is provided in a theme folder and usually includes prototypical plans and even photographs showing the construction of that model. Frank gave a clinic at the January Meet on entering contests.
When you enter a contest, or visit the contest area, you can also pick up some entry blanks for the next meet, so that you can fill them out at home and bring them in with your entry. I always encourage you to go by the contest area at any meet. You just might see a completed model of a kit that you have been wanting to build. You might also find the answer to some problem that has been keeping you from finishing a model.
Finally, remember to bring your NMRA membership card, as you will need to provide your NMRA membership number.
Good Luck and see you at the contest table.
Thomas H. Cain
[Rusty Spike - Vol. 28 No. 3, May-Jne 1998]
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