I read with some interest the article in one of the FMIG newsletters. It was on modeling contests. In general modeling contests are in the decline right now. I base this on the experience of helping put on model railroad shows over these past 28 years. It just seems that not nearly as many people are actually modeling like they were 25 years ago. There may be many reasons for this. One I believe to be the availibilty of some really nice RTR models. I have recently gotten back into contest modeling after a few year layoff. I have in excess of 200 trophies and certificates. I have lost a lot of sleep waiting on the last minute to finish up an entry. Most all of my awards are from popular judging contests. Nothing wrong with this and it is very rewarding. Recently however I have embarked on my MMR and have started down the path of entering NMRA merit judged contests. I enjoy this aspect of modeling for the satisfaction it gives me. I used to think of this type of a modeling contest as a bunch of snooty people looking at a model and finding fault with it. I have had just one type of experience with this. That was 20+ years ago and it soured me against the NMRA and merit judging. I have since had a 180 degree change of attitude. The NMRA Achievement program is set up to help you become a better modeler. I have learned quite a bit and have had fun doing it. The real contest is with yourself not the guy who has entered a model in the same catagory as you. Oh yeah there are awards presented but the real compitition is with yourself. Yes there is paper work involved but it doesn't have to be very complicated. All you have to basically do is put down on paper how you built the model and what you used as a reference to do so. This is so that those judging the models know exactly what you did and not have to guess what your reasoning or techniques were. I know from my limited judging experience that the paperwork is very helpful to the judges. This type of system helps to keep personal bias out of the equation. In a popular vote contest it is pretty easy to do well in the voting no matter what, if you enter a model that is a local favorite. For instance a Frisco model at a Springfield meet, or a Katy model here in Parsons. It is my hope that more folks will start entering model contests whether they be popular vote or Merit Award type. Both help you to become a better modeler. Not to mention I have learned much more about our beloved Frisco because of this. Both are fun and very gratifying. In the future I hope to see many Frisco models in contests. I'll be entering them will you?
Bob, your post is basically the same message Ron Williams gave at our FMIG Convention in Memphis all those many years ago. Thanks for the insight. Doug
Interesting topic, so I thought I would join in. Shortly before his passing, Jan Jester asked, "Where are all the modelers?" It seemed that every meet we went to, there were few models that were scratch built. Guys were putting kits together, painting and lettering them but everything was identifiable and nearly similar. AND this was when RTR and prebuilt structures were as pervasive as they are today. There was little to nothing that was scratch built or unique. Layout Completed I think what Jan was really saying was "Where are all the people who want unique, signature structures on their layout and are willing to invest the time to research and build them?" It could be that most of the people scratch building models have simply finished the models they needed and have moved on to other hobbies & challenges. It is wise to remember RTR is a recent phenomenon and that even in the 1980s and 1990s, a lot of models had to scratch built if you wanted them so we know there are real modelers out there. Somewhere. RTR - A New Breed of Model Railroader? I think most people are now buying the RTR products, putting them on their layouts (“pikes” in some circles) and imagining that they are the signature buildings in their specific geographic locations. We could be witnessing another development in the hobby which I will call the "model train enthusiast." This person loves trains, has limited time, has some disposable income and wants to get going quickly. Today's products enable a new person in the hobby to get underway quickly and with state of the art products. A lot of these enthusiasts are operators who like to see their vision run before their very eyes with their local friends. I see nothing wrong with that at all. I have operated on several layouts that will never see a scratch built anything but that did not stop me from having a lot of fun and making new friends. Scratch Built = Difficult, Painful, Etc Let's face it. It is considerably more difficult to scratch build that depot than to get a laser cut kit, a plastic kit or a prebuilt “stand in” structure. I think a lot of people avoid scratch building because they don’t want to invest the time, fear not completing the project or, worse yet, fear criticism of the finished model. YIKES. I have seen few scratch built models deserving of criticism (but I have seen a few) and rarely have I seen other who would openly criticize. In addition, I believe there is a number of model railroad people who are consumed with a paralysis that renders them unable to get started on a scratch building project. I have had visitors to my layout ask how I was able to get some much done and I simply reply, “I just started.” Summary If you have read all this, you have wasted a lot of time you could have been scratch building something BUT I think it is safe to say we are definitely in a different model railroad environment today, some good, some not so good. For me, I wouldn’t go back. Oh, and I will bring something to the next train meet for the contest room. Ship IT on the Frisco! Rick
Excellent comments from all, and ones that I am enjoying reading. I personally started scratchbuilding structures in college for the simple reason that (a) the local hobby shop in Cape Girardeau had an ample supply of Evergreen styrene supplies, and (b) it was frankly more affordable for my budget! That said, I have received infinitely more satisfaction from scratchbuilding than any kit or RTR item. Granted that Spectrum Bolshevik I have looks great, but the multi-year 4-6-2 project on my workbench has ultimately taught me a lot more about how the real thing worked. More thoughts later, perhaps, but it's time for a Cub Scout meeting (as an aside, our den is already planning a Model RR themed activity or meeting - I reckon never hurts to get the young ones on board early and often).
A bit OT, but I wish I could have met/known Jan. He sounds as if he were a unique individual and a good fan o' the Frisco. I can't imagine how I'll pull off the KC Terminal Area that we're building without scratchbuilding the 12th Street Freight House and Viaduct, or Abernathy Furniture, and so on. Then again, I can't imagine completely freelancing a layout. The real thing is just too interesting. I can see some kitbashed structures making good as stand-ins until I can find photos of all the buildings I want to model in Olathe. Even still, my sole motor car/tool building is scratchbuilt based off of MoP plans. For freight cars, again, I don't think I would know the difference between "K" and "AB" brakes if I hadn't looked into scratchbuilding boxcars and started wondering which of the myriad brake parts I would need (still have to start but I look forward to the day!). Ultimately if RTR structures help folks get a foot in the door, it's not all bad. If I have my druthers, I'm much happier with a pile of materials on my workbench!
