Hostlers Model Railroad Club

Contest Information and Forms

Model • Module • Photo

This Contest page provides the official entry forms and rules for contests held during the annual Hostler Model Railroad Festival each March. Participants can enter model contests, showcasing locomotives, rolling stock, structures, or dioramas, as well as our photo contest, highlighting your best railroad-themed photography. All entries must be submitted using the appropriate forms, and contest photos may be featured on our website or social media to celebrate the creativity and skill of our participants. Modelers and photographers of all experience levels are encouraged to participate and share their work with the community.

Model Contest

Contact Brian Brendel if you have questions

HOSTLER MODEL CONTEST RULES

1. Contestant shall fill out the entry form completely. Separate form required for each entry.

2. Only two models per category per person may be entered.

3. Complete the entry form and return it to a contest official to receive your entry number and claim check which must be presented to claim your model at the close of the display period.

4. Place the models in the display case as directed by the contest official. The official will place a label in front of the entry matching the entry number.

5. Rolling stock may be displayed on flex track or not as the contestant desires. If the track is ballasted, the entry will be considered as a diorama.

6. Contest officials reserve the right to display models as they see fit.

7. No model shall be removed from the contest display area without permission of the contest officials.

8. Entries will be accepted from the opening of the building for display setup on Friday until 12 noon Saturday. Entries shall remain in the display cases until 2:30 on Sunday, except in hardship cases at the discretion of the contest officials.

9. Prior First Place or Best of Show models are welcome as display models ONLY and will not be subject to judging.

10. The Entry form shall contain specific information about the model or module in the Description area of the form or on a separate sheet.

11. In the event of any question or dispute arising regarding the entry’s category, the Contest Officials shall determine the appropriate category.

12. Modules may be judged by the owner filling out a model contest entry form and following the contest rules. Contest officials will place an entry label on the Module. Modules will be judged during contest judging.

Download Model Contest Form

Module Contest

HOSTLER MODULE CONTEST RULES

1. The contestant shall fill in the entry form completely. A separate form is required for each entry.

2. Only two modules may be entered per person. However, multiple modules assembled as a unit will be considered to be a single entry.
3. Module entries must be displayed as part of an operating layout.

4. After completing the entry form, return it to the Contest Officials to receive your entry number. The Contest Official will accompany you to the module location and will place an identifying tag with the entry number on it on or near the module.
5. Entries will be accepted from the opening of the building for display setup on Friday until noon on Saturday. Modules shall not be removed until the close of the festival at 4 pm on Sunday.

6. Prior First Place or Best of Show winning entries will be welcome as Display Only entries. They are bared form the current contest as entries to be judged.

7. The juried competition shall begin as soon after 12 noon on Saturday as is practicable and shall be completed not later than 6 pm.
8. First, Second, and Third place ribbons will be awarded. The module entries will be judged along with the model contest entries to determine the recipient of the Best-of-Show award. A plaque shall be awarded for Best-of-Show, and the award shall be determined by the contest judges.

9. In the event that the judges are unable to agree on an entry’s place, the tie shall be broken by the Contest Officials.

10. Each entry must have had significant workmanship provided by the entrant, and this work, along with the description of the module, must be described on the application form in the space provided. If additional space is needed, the entrant may attach a separate sheet.
11. The contest Officials shall retain all contest entry forms and the judges’ ballots. The documentation shall be reviewed by an officer of the Hostler Model Railroad Club appointed by the Club president in the event of any question arising by a contestant or interested party regarding the placement of any entry in the contest that may affect their eligibility for an award.

Download Module Contest Form

Photo Contest

HOSTLER PHOTO CONTEST RULES

You can print this page and use as official entry form or wait until you bring your photos to the contest in March.

Contact for questions: lewitten1@comcast.net

Download Photo Contest Form

Dedicated to promoting model railroading and railroad history through our modular layouts, public events, and annual festivals.