NATIONAL MODEL RAILROAD ASSOCIATION, MIDWEST REGION

south central wisconsin division​​

Popular Vote Photo Contest Guidelines

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- Photo entries should be either 4”x 6” or 5” x 7” in size in B&W or Color, larger photos will not be considered entries, but can be shown as “Display Photos”

- There will be a maximum of four (4) categories for Prototype Photos and a maximum of four (4) categories for Model Photos. You may enter up to 3 photos in each category. Please try to limit your total entries each month to 12 photos.

- Points are awarded in each category:
• 6 pts for First Place
• 4 pts for Second Place
• 2 pts for Third Place
• 1 pt. Maximum for entering any number of photos in either if none of your entries receive a place award 

- Each entry must be logged in on the appropriate category sheet, with the entry number placed on a photo tag that goes on or next to the photo.

- Everyone who voted likes to see which photos received awards, and some would like to ask questions of the photographers, so if at all possible, at the end of the meet, please return to the contest area to see if anyone has questions about your photos before retrieving your entries.

- Please vote for the best photo in each category.

Points from each monthly contest will be accumulated and the photographer with the most accumulated points for the year will be awarded “Photographer of the Year” at the Spring Banquet. [note: you have to be an NMRA member to receive that award]

2025 - 2026 Popular Vote Model and Photography Contest​

Verona Senior Center, 108 Paoli Street Verona, WI 53593

See the current Bad Order newsletter for monthly theme reminders and results of the previous month's contests. 

September 7, 2025: Freight Cars
- Box Cars
- Open Hopper
- Gondola
- Refrigerator Car

October 5, 2025: Passenger Cars
- Coach
- Diner
- Combine
- Baggage

 November 9, 2025: Railroad Structures
- Engine servicing

   (water tower, coal supply, diesel fuel, etc.)
- Passenger station
- Freight station
- Car shop

December 7, 2025: Maintenance of Way Cars
- Crew car (dorm, dining, etc.)
- Ballast hopper
- Flat car w/ Maintenance Load
- Crane  

January 4, 2026: No contest - Rail School

February 1 2026: Snow
- Wedge plow (Russell)
- Engine mounted plow 
- Rotary snow plow

March 1, 2026: Interior Details
- Passenger Car
- Station
- Commercial building
- Engine

 April 12, 2026: No Contest - Model Project Contest

May 3, 2026: Circus
- Passenger car
- Animal car
- Flat Car w/ load