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

The Judged contests are formal contests judged by a selected group of expereinced trolley modelers.

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
- Nearside Cars (This Meet's Theme)
- 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.
Contest tables will be open between 1:00 and 1:25 PM Saturday. Entries will not be accepted after 1:25 PM.
Judging will take place between 1:30 and 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 will 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.

A model may only be entered in one judged category per Meet.
A model may be entered in any of the EPTC categories as many times as the individual wants until it wins first place in a category. The eligibility of that model is then subject to the rules that follow.

When a model wins first place in the Masters contest, it can no longer be entered in a judged contest, even if submitted by a new owner.
If a model wins first place in a category, it does not affect the individual's right to enter other models in that or any other category. Only the winning model is subject to restrictions.

Popular Model Contest

The Popular Model contest is an opportunity for the attendees of the 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.

Smaller than "O"
"O" Scale
Larger than "O"

Each model entered in the contest will be assigned a number when placed on the contest table.
Cars can be registered at the Contest tables between 10:30 and 10:55 AM Saturday. Entries will not be accepted after 10:55 AM.
In order to allow most attendees to have a chance to cast a vote, the voting shall take place between 11:00 AM and 12:00 noon, Saturday. Ballots will be accepted only during the specified period of time. Ballots submitted before or after will be discarded.
Only single trolleys may be entered into the Popular Model contest. An articulated trolley, such as the CSN&M Electroliner, is considered a single trolley and is eligible for entry in the category. A train may not be entered as a single model. For example, individual CSN&M cars coupled together would be considered a train, each car must be entered as an individual model.
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 the Popular Model contest. The same model may, however, be entered into any judged category at a future event.

Operating Layout, Module and Static Display Contest

The Operating Display contest honors the best layouts and modules. A judging committee under direction of the Contest Coordinator will determine if a layout or module warrants an award. Entries are subject to the following restrictions.

The entry must be an operating display on the day of the event. This could include both standalone layouts and modules.
If a layout or module wins first place, it is no longer eligible for consideration at future events.
Other layouts or modules built by the owner of a winning layout are eligible for entry into the Operating Display contest at future events.
Attendees do not submit displays for entry into the contest. The judges will consider all layouts and modules on the show floor at some time after the normal setup period for the show.