Article and Photos by Rich Thom
Twenty-four modelers attended the Skagit Valley and Whidbey NMRA Clinic meeting in Oak Harbor on February 10th, featuring the long-anticipated display and judging of models entered in this season’s contest: Flatcars with Loads. Clinic Chair Rich Blake welcomed new attendee Barry Erb, who models Pennsylvania RR prototypes in HO. Rich also thanked Di Voss, MMR, for making the long drive from Mill Creek to judge some of the models for NMRA Achievement Program (AP) Merit Awards, and providing details and some expert advice about the NMRA AP and evaluating models for the program. Rich mentioned that it was not too soon to begin thinking about next season’s lineup of clinics, and encouraged everyone to get their ideas (and especially volunteer themselves!) for clinics to Susan Gonzales.
Before the evening’s contest, Rich, with assistance from Di, described the basics of the NMRA AP and judging, using materials available on the NMRA website (www.nmra.org) including the Achievement Program Judging Guidelines and the Model Description Form. A set of slides by Bob Hamm, MMR, on contest judging was also shown. Although the formal 125-point evaluation system was not used for tonight’s contest (instead judging was by a simpler popular vote) the discussion attuned everyone to the five attributes contributing to a superior model: construction (methods and complexity); detail; conformity (fidelity to prototype); finish and lettering; and scratch-built content, including any special refinements.
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