Monthly Contest Rules 

The monthly contest topic will be published in Division 7’s monthly newsletter, The Oil Can. The schedule for the forthcoming year will be published in the January issue, but may be changed to suit the program being presented in any given month.

There will be two separate contest divisions: Senior and Junior. The Senior Division is for modelers ages 19 and up. The Junior Division is for modelers 18 and younger. Scoring will be kept separately. There are two major contest categories: modeling and photography.

Modeling

Modeling consists of three (3 ) categories:

1. Modeling: box-stock

This category covers those models which are assembled straight from a manufacturer’s kit. Minor improvements such as Kadee™ couplers, a snowplow, painted handrails, weathering, etc. still come under this category.

• Purchased or Ready to Run (RTR) models are not allowed. The model must have been assembled by the owner.
• As an example; an Athearn diesel locomotive would qualify for entry in this category because assembly of the handrails, horn, headlight glass, etc. was required.

2. Modeling: kit-bashed

This category covers those models which comprise at least 2 of the following three elements:

• significant quantities and levels of super-details
• splicing of numerous models to yield one unique model
• custom painting and/or weathering

3. Modeling: scratch-built

This category covers those models where the basic model is constructed from scratch. No splicing of commercially available models is incorporated into the model. However, commercially available super-detail parts can be used.

NOTE:
	If desired, models may be displayed on a plain or ballasted piece of track. No model may be displayed on a diorama, or in similar fashion, which may enhance the model's presentation and therefore provide an unfair advantage with respect to the other contest entries.

Photography

Photography consists of four (4) categories:

1. Slide: Prototype

   This category covers those pictures, in slide format, taken by the contest participant whose subject matter is of a prototype and it's principle point of interest directly relates to the published contest topic, i.e. diesel loco, stations, etc.. The contest topic CANNOT be an item in the background of the photo.

2. Slide: Model

   This category covers those pictures, in slide format, taken by the contest participant whose subject matter is of a model and it's principle point of interest directly relates to the published contest topic, i.e. diesel loco, stations, etc.. The contest topic CANNOT be an item in the background of the photo.

3. Print: Prototype

   This category covers those pictures, in print format, taken by the contest participant whose subject matter is of a prototype and it's principle point of interest directly relates to the published contest topic, i.e. diesel loco, stations, etc.. The contest topic CANNOT be an item in the background of the photo.

   Prints can be in either black & white or color - there will be no separate categories.

4. Print: Model

   This category covers those pictures, in print format, taken by the contest participant whose subject matter is of a model and it's principle point of interest directly relates to the published contest topic, i.e. diesel loco, stations, etc.. The contest topic CANNOT be an item in the background of the photo.

   Prints can be in either black & white or color - there will be no separate categories.

Guidelines

Participation

The monthly contest is open to Division 7 members and their immediate family only. The intent of allowing immediate family member participation is to encourage youth participation even if they are not registered NMRA members.

• No more than three ( - 3 - ) entries total may be submitted in each of the two main categories; Modeling or Photography, by each contest participant.
  

  e.g., the total of all entries submitted in the four sub-categories under Photography (paragraph 3.B) may not exceed three.

• Any model or photograph can be submitted more than once in the monthly contest until such a time that it is awarded a first place finish. After achieving a first place finish ( blue ribbon ), the said model or photograph is ineligible for entry in any future monthly contests. This will be enforced via the honor system. It is up to the each NMRA member / contest participant to abide by this code so as to maintain the spirit of friendly competition within the membership.
• Points will be awarded as follows:

  1st place = 3 points
  2nd place = 2 points
  3rd place = 1 point

• In the event of a tie for 1st place, a total of only three "awards" will be presented: two 1st place awards and one 3rd place award.
• In the event of a tie for 2nd place, a total of only three "awards" will be presented: one 1st place award and two 2nd place awards.
• In the event of a tie for 3rd place, a total of four "awards" will be presented: one 1st place award, one 2nd place award and two 3rd place awards.
• The contest results and current standings will be published in The Oilcan.
• Voting. All members and guests are eligible to vote. Only one vote per person in each of the seven ( 7 ) sub-categories (see paragraphs 3.A. and 3.B.) is allowed.