The 46th National Narrow Gauge Convention contest committee looks forward to seeing your great models and photographs in Bloomington, Minnesota. The annual model and photography contest at National Narrow Gauge Conventions is regarded by many to be the most prestigious contest in the country. We will gladly display your models and photos to the many hundreds of attendees at our convention in an attractive, well-lit and secured contest room.
Contest Categories
Steam Motive Power – Rod A steam powered locomotive with side rods.
Steam Motive Power – Geared A steam powered geared locomotive (e.g. Shay).
Motive Power – Other Any motorized locomotive or vehicle that runs on rails.
Maintenance Of Way Vehicles or cars used by railroads to maintain, repair, and improve the tracks and other infrastructure.
Freight Car
Passenger Car
Caboose
Logging Equipment
Structure – On Line
Structure – Off Line
Diorama A structure or collection of structures or scene with scenery.
Module A single module (table) of any size with operational track that is intended to connect to other modules.
Modular Layout A series of modules connected to form a continuous display with where trains can traverse the layout from module to module.
Square Footer Diorama of any scale or height but no parts or structures or scenery may extend over a 12×12 Inch base.
Animation Note that sound is okay if it lasts less than 10 seconds.
Youth Model Under 18 years of age (first place only).
Model Photography – Black and White
Model Photography – Color
Prototype Photography – Black and White
Prototype Photography – Color
Best of Show – Photograph
Best of Show – Model
Special Awards Presented By Manufacturers
Contest Awards
As you decide what to enter, please keep two things in mind; First space is somewhat limited although our contest room is large and extremely well lighted. Second, if you enter two or more models or photos in the same category, you will be competing against yourself for votes. If you have any questions regarding the contest, please contact us (link below).
Judging as always will be done by popular vote and each attendee is provided one ballot to vote for their favorite entry in each category.
Awards Presentation
Plaques for each category will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and will be presented to the winners in the contest room on Saturday, September 5th. Photos of the award recipients and their entries will be shown during the end-of-convention meeting.
Best of Show plaques will be presented in-person during the end-of-convention meeting.
46th National Narrow Gauge Convention General Contest Rules And Information
No camera bags, packages, bags, purses etc. in the contest room – they may be checked and claimed at the contest room desk
- Models must by built by and photos must be taken by the entrant. No “by proxy” entries will be allowed.
- Models or photos should portray a narrow gauge or short line theme.
- A model or photo which has won a first place or best of show at a previous National Narrow Gauge Convention may not be entered in the same category.
- Models may only be entered in only one category (e.g. not in both Animation and Diorama categories).
- Module owners may register an individual module in the model contest. Due to space limitations modules will not be displayed in the contest room but all of them will be displayed together in an adjacent space.
- Modules differ from dioramas in that a module is designed to be part of an operating layout.
- Any type of model may be entered in the animation category but cannot also be entered in another category. Entries cannot be powered directly by 110 VAC and electric power is not guaranteed. Sound should be activated on a momentary or time limited basis (not continuous) and for no more than 10 seconds.
- Tables will be provided to display models and photographs entered in the contest. Contest room display space is limited and availability will be on a first come, first served basis.
- If you have a structure, diorama or display larger than 2’ x 4’ please contact the contest chairman prior to the convention.
- Contest entries will be displayed and category determined by the contest chairman.
- No packing containers may remain in the contest room and models can’t be removed prior to noon on Saturday unless an emergency. Models must be retrieved by the entrant only.
- Photos may be taken in the Contest Room but no tripods, monopods etc. are allowed.
Contest Timeline
The following timeline has been formulated by the 46th National Narrow Gauge Contest committee:
- Entries may be submitted in the contest room beginning on Wednesday, September 2nd at 10 a.m. and must be entered during normal contest room hours by Friday, September 4th at 12 p.m. A photograph of the participant and their entry will be taken at this time.
- The contest room will be open for general viewing on Wednesday, September 4th from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
- The contest room will be open for general viewing on Thursday, September 3rd from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. and from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
- The contest room will be open for general viewing on Friday, September 4th from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. and from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
- The contest popular vote will begin on Friday, September 4th at 8 a.m. and will conclude later that day at 9 p.m.
- Contest votes will be tabulated after the completion of voting and 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards will be indicated next to the entry.
- The contest room will be open for general viewing on Saturday, September 5th from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
- Entries may be retrieved from the contest room on Saturday, September 5th from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. During this time, award recipients will be given their contest awards and encouraged to leave their entries for viewing until 3 p.m.
- At the end-of-convention meeting:
- Photos of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place award recipients and their entries will be show on the large presentation screens.
- The Best of Show awards will be presented to the winners in-person by having them come to the stage to receive their awards.
Contest Links
Contest entries must include the following forms (click on the forms to download).