The Contest Chair

Animas Rails RMR 2017 Convention Model Contest

RMR Model Contest Chair

- Gary Myers

Animas Rails RMR 2017 Convention Model Contest Results

The Regional Model Contest at the Animas Rails Convention in Durango, CO, 8-11 June 2017 once again featured some of our members’ best.  Don Bailey, of Pike’s Peak Division, took home the Grand Prize (Highest NMRA score); the Inaugural CABOOSE AWARD, for his prototype Denver & Rio Grande Western Water Car #0459.  We had a total of 39 entries, 14 of which were NMRA judged.  4 entries received a Merit Award.

Don with the CABOOSE AWARD, standing on the Animas Bridge shortly after being awarded the 1st Place Award (and after the train had gone by!).

Don built a replica of D&RGW Water Car #0459.  If a part on the model looks bent or crooked, it is because it is that way on the prototype!

The Duane Miller Award, redesignated for the second highest NMRA score, was awarded to Stewart Jones of Sunrise Division, for his Luce Sand and Gravel Bunker.  The award honors Duane Miller, the former owner of CABOOSE HOBBIES, who provided our first place award for decades.

Stewart was able to pull his “Luce Sand & Gravel” from his layout for the Duane Miller Award.

Martin Pirnat, held down the fort for the local Silver San Juan Division, receiving the final two Merit Awards and the Fred Carlson Award for third highest NMRA score, for his model entitled, “The Engineer’s Friend”.  This award is named in honor of one of our past Presidents, who was a great modeler but left us after a valiant battle against cancer.

Martin also gave us the riddle, who’s the Engineer and who is the Friend?

Convention Special Award (Plaque) for “Best Construction Vehicle – Truck

For some reason, not any have participated in the Convention Special Awards, which are Popular Vote only (and no paperwork!).  Bill Tulley won his second Convention Special in a row, this time for best construction truck.

Bill’s LINN Dump Truck and Lowboy with Erie Backhoe

The Best Representation of Colorado Railroading (Plaque) – Popular Vote

Also a Popular Vote Award, this award is presented at each convention for the State it is held in.  The voters have a good eye, because the picked out our first place winner for an additional honor.  Don Bailey’s prototype D&RGW Water Car #0459 claimed the title.

Don built a replica of D&RGW Water Car #0459.  If a part on the model looks bent or crooked, it is because it is that way on the prototype!

Journeyman Award (Trophy) – Popular Vote

I was disappointed that we had a several youths register for the convention but none chose to participate in the model contest this time, after several entrants for the previous convention.

I would like to thank Kevin Ruble, the owner of CABOOSE, for our inaugural CABOOSE AWARD, for the highest scoring NMRA model. Kevin carries on the tradition of Caboose Hobbies, who provided the CABOOSE HOBBIES AWARD for many decades.

Kevin Ruble and the Inaugural CABOOSE AWARD.

I would also like to thank our judges, who make our contest possible, fair, and held in high standards:

William Tulley, Harold Huber, Donald Bailey, Richard Combs & Greg Long.

For a summary of all the Model Contest Awards, check out the Region webpage for all the entries and winners:

http://www.rmr-nmra.org/2017_Model_Contest_Results/2017_Model_Contest_Results/2017_mc_results.html