The East Penn Traction Club
EPTC National Model Trolley Meet Contest Rules
Contests
Anyone attending an East Penn Meet may enter one or more contests. There are two main contest categories; Popular Model Contest where Meet attendees vote for their favorite model, and Judged Contests where a distinguished panel of judges evaluate the model entries. In addition, awards are given for outstanding operating layouts, modules or static displays.
The contests are operated by a Contest Coordinator and a group of volunteers who usually have nothing to gain for their efforts. Their main goal is to assure that everyone has a fair and impartial opportunity to have their models seen and judged. Please give these volunteers your full cooperation and courtesy even if things don't seem to be going your way.
General Contest Rules
A trolley may be entered in any of the EPTC categories as many times as the individual wants. Once it wins in a judged category, it can only be entered in the Masters category; if it wins the Masters it is no longer eligible for any contest. This is true even if the model is entered by a new owner. A model is only eligible to be entered in one judged category per Meet. Any number of models may be entered by an individual attendee. After winning first place in any category, that individual may still enter any other trolley, in any category, in the future.
Operating Layout, Module and Static Display Contest: All operating layouts, modules and static displays will be automatically entered.
Judged Contests
- Submitted models will be judged in three categories. The judged categories are not restricted to a particular scale or gauge; models of any scale or gauge can be entered.
- Trolley Model Builders
- Theme Contest - Double-end cars in 2009
- Outstanding Model Masters Competition (Richard M. Wagner Memorial Award)
- The models will be judged for detail, modeling skill, finish, and the degree of scratch building or kitbashing by a committee of judges selected by the Contest Coordinator.
- Judging will begin at the time posted on the Meet agenda, usually 2:00 PM, Saturday.
- There is no formal scoring or weighting criteria. The judging is typically based on discussion and consensus by the judges.
- In order to better judge the level of skill required to build the model, each entry can include a placard with notes on the construction of the model. The notes should include:
- Methods of construction (e.g. styrene, wood, soldered brass).
- The percentage of the model that is scratch built.
- The commercial parts or kits used in the construction.
- The finishing and decaling techniques used.
- Contributions to the construction by someone other that the entrant.
- Any other salient facts that will give the judges a better appreciation of the skills required to build the model.
Popular Model Contest
- The Popular Model contest is an opportunity for the attendees of a Meet to select a model as their favorite. This contest is decided by popular vote. Each registered attendee is given a ballot upon arrival at the registration desk.
Submitted models will be judged in three categories.
- Smaller than "O"
- "O"
- Larger than "O"
- Each model entered in the contest will be assigned a number when placed on the contest table.
- In order to allow most attendees to have a chance to cast a vote, the voting shall take place only during the time posted on the Meet agenda, usually between 12:00 Noon and 1:00 PM, Saturday. Ballots will be accepted only during the specified period of time. Ballots submitted before or after will be discarded.
- Trains are not eligible in the Popular Model contest. For the purposes of this rule a train is two or more single trolleys coupled into a train, or electric locomotive(s) and cars. Trains may be entered into the Judged contests.
- Models entered into the Popular Model contest may also be entered in a judged category. The voting for the Popular Model contest will end before the start of judging for the other categories.
- After a model wins the Popular Model contest, it may no longer be entered into a future Popular Model contest. The same model may, however, be entered into any judged category at this or a future Meet.
Operating Layout, Module and Static Display Contest
The Operating Layout, Module and Static Display Contest honors the best traction oriented layouts, modules, and displays. A judging committee under direction of the Contest Coordinator will determine the winners. Entries are subject to the following restrictions:
- If a layout, module, or display wins first place, it is no longer eligible for consideration at future EPTC events.
- Other layouts, modules, and displays built by the owner of a winning layout are eligible for this contest at future EPTC events.
- Attendees do not submit displays for entry into the contest: judges will consider all layouts, modules, and displays on the show floor at some time after the normal setup period for the show.
