Well it looks like I need to open the clubhouse on a more regular basis. So coffee is on and the windows open. It is 74 as I write this in Central Florida. I have been absent for a while finishing up a couple of structures for contest at the Sunshine Region of the NMRA. The convention was held past three days. I learned quite a bit. 1 no matter how good you think your model is take it outside and look at it in the sun! 2 Take a tool kit, if it can break it will.
I never entered an NMRA and my hopes were to achieve merit on one and perhaps place in top three for structure category for the other. I was incredibly surprised when instead I won following. It was a good day, hope yours is too.
Congratulations Jim.
Congratulations, Jim! Note that the contest is you against you, not you against everybody else. And nobody on the Judging Committee is playing God... they're using a printed matrix of standards to figure out what you did and how well you did it. Treat it as a Learning Experience and you'll be surprised at the results. Gerry Leone's "What I Learned" article on the NMRA website is worth the read. Good stuff, and it's pure Gerry....
Keep going!
Pete
in Michigan
Good afternoon,
Way to go, Jim! ;D
I don't open as often as I used to because I'm no longer spending my days sitting at a computer and in meetings. Retirement is wonderful!
Have a great one!
Quote from: Orionvp17 on October 12, 2025, 02:52:24 PMCongratulations, Jim! Note that the contest is you against you, not you against everybody else. And nobody on the Judging Committee is playing God... they're using a printed matrix of standards to figure out what you did and how well you did it. Treat it as a Learning Experience and you'll be surprised at the results. Gerry Leone's "What I Learned" article on the NMRA website is worth the read. Good stuff, and it's pure Gerry....
Keep going!
Pete
in Michigan
Well, the one thing I learned from the few times I've dipped into NMRA contests is the judging is very subjective, and a lot depends on how you write things up. I don't object to the program, but I do object to how NMRA as an institution treats that program and its rather narrow approach, as the "only true way" to do model railroading. I think NMRA should be a lot more accepting and promote alternate approaches as acceptable.
Today I finally found my 'box of boxes', and dug out some boxes and barrels, etc, to add to the storeroom in the machine shop project.
dave
It was a nice day in Michigan, sun, pleasant temps peaked in the mid 60s. I did a fair bit of 1:1 work outside. I continue to be a bit flumoxed with belt replacement on my mower, more due to physical limitations as much else. :-\ Getting old and weak sucks.
The LIONS play the NBC Sunday night game. I can't get NBC with the new antenna I bought after tossing Directv out of my life. I can skip a football game or two for the $$ savings. Missed Michigan State's yesterday, too, but they cancelled the game after scoring early then totally collapsing in every area of the game, at least the 'fans' that almost totally left early in the second half, exodus started before half time. Talk now is of how much it will cost to buy out THIS coach after losing ~$90m on the last fool ::) they hired within days of beginning the "exhaustive nationwide search". They looked real good last week when the #1 pass catcher and the QB had fisticuffs on the sideline.
Maybe some layout time later. ;)
I've not participated in the NMRA contests. It does appear we are among considerable talent here today. Excellent, Jim!
KS in Mich.
Headed to OPS in the morning.
Howdy folks,
Jim, the structures look amazing. Congratulations on the NMRA recognition.
Have fun,
mike
Nice work !