The Art of Model Railroading involves making stuff. We build models to populate our layouts, and many of us
are also skilled in other work that supports the hobby including photography of both models and real
railroads, plus crafts that take the trains out of the layout room and into the home. At the convention we
celebrate these skills with – yes – a Celebration Room where we show our stuff.
So – why should you bring your stuff to show?
- Show off the cool things you’ve done: modeling, photography, crafts
- Bring a work-in-progress to discuss approach and techniques, and find solutions
- Bring something funny to give folks a laugh
- Earn AP merit awards on your way to a Master Builder certificate
- Compete in the model contest
- Compete in the photography contest
- Win a People’s Choice prize
All attendees at the convention are invited to bring their stuff! The Celebration Room is devoted to scale
models and displays of trains and structures, railroad photography (model and prototype), and rail-related arts
and crafts. All scales, eras, gauges, sizes, complete works, and works-in-progress are welcome. Bring your work
to explain, teach, inspire, and learn from your fellow modelers. There are no fees for displaying items in the
Celebration Room. Everything in the list above is optional: if you bring something, you don’t have to compete
in a contest.
This and future conventions will be increasingly open to non-members. More than anything else, the
Celebration Room shows non-members the skills we use to do what we do, and our dedication to developing
and using those skills.
It’s not just a contest! A model and photography contest, both optional, will be part of the activities, but
there’s much more! There will be a “meet the creator” session where you can share your experience as well as
learn from others. There will be AP evaluations for modelers who wish to have their work evaluated for AP
merit awards. There will be People’s Choice awards in various categories of entries. There will be judged
contests for models and photographs, but only for those who wish to enter them.
CELEBRATION ROOM EVENTS
Although all items (“stuff”) are displayed in the Celebration Room there are several activities going on:
- Model Showcase: The most important part of the room is the contents: models, photographs, and crafts.
EVERYONE is encouraged to bring items to the Showcase. - Time to Meet the Modeler, Photographer and Crafter. Time will be set aside Friday afternoon where
participants can discuss their work. - AP Evaluations. Modelers who participate in the NMRA’s Achievement Program (AP) may have their
models evaluated for an AP Merit Award. AP is open to NMRA members only. AP model evaluations will
include Motive Power, Rolling Stock, and Structures. AP evaluations will be scheduled individually when
you register your models in the room. - People's Choice Awards. Ballots will be handed out to all registered attendees to vote on their favorites,
including:
- Favorite Train
- Favorite Photograph
- Arts & Crafts
- Favorite Model
- Display (a small complete scene)
E. Judged Scale Model Contest. There will be a judged scale model contest with winners selected in several
categories. This is optional - you do not have to enter the contest to bring your models to the
Celebration Room! The contest is open to NMRA members only.
Prize categories will include:
a) Motive Power - must be powered
i) Steam
ii) Motorized (diesel, gas) and traction
b) Rolling Stock
i) Passenger cars – cars normally found in a passenger train.
ii) Freight cars
iii) Cabooses
iv) Non-revenue - such as Maintenance of Way, company transportation (sand, ash, supplies), wreck
train cars, etc.
c) Structures
Structures include any on-line or off-line structure or non-rail vehicle or vessel that would be at
home on a model railroad.
F. Judged Photo Contest. There will be a judged photography contest. Remember, you do not have to
enter the contest to bring your photographs to the Celebration Room! The contest is open to NMRA
members only. Photographs, either color print or black and white print, may be submitted for judging in
the following contest categories: model or prototype.
Contact Jeroen Gerritsen 2026Celebration@2dpnr.org for more information!
