1st  Scale Layout Design Contest entry requirements.

Closing date October 1, 2010  updated 5-12-10

Categories:

There are 4 categories: Storage, Small, Medium, and Large

You may enter each category no more than 1 time.

You do not have to enter more than 1 category

Requirements:

-There must be the capability for 2 main line trains to be operated at the same time. A train is a powered unit and at least 2 cars.

-The drawing must be a scale drawing. They may be hand drawn or computer generated and printed. Any scale is acceptable as long as it is indicated.

-Either label individual curves with various radii or note the minimum and maximum radius in a legend.

-Curves must allow the operation of F-Unit diesel (B-B) or 0-8-0 steam loco and minimum scale 40' long rolling stock but can be broader. Those are minimums.

-Label each turnout as to whether it is a given number or manufacturer type, or if it is scratchbuilt to fit the design or put that data in a legend to the design.

-A railroad design with a purpose for existing will rank higher than just a spaghetti bowl of tracks doing nothing.

-The design must be your original work. Multiple people may collaborate on an entry but any prize will be sent to the designated submitter / mailer. 1 prize per entry.

-All designs should be drawn on an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper. Either blank or 1/4" square graph paper is fine, lined 3 hole paper is not. The large category designs may use 2 sheets of paper but the other sizes should fit onto one.

-The drawings must be made in black ink and only the track plan should be on the primary sheet.

-Additional photocopied copies of the layout design may be use to indicate scenery or structures.

-Up to 2 additional pages may be used to explain features of note or to discuss actual prototype if used.

-Electronic files are welcome on CD accompanying hard copy drawings. The submitted version should be in .pdf format at 600dpi and 8 1/2" x 11" minimum. Also original files in AutoCAD, CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator are welcome as long as they accompany the .pdf files on the CD and the hardcopy.

-By submitting the design, you convey copyright to, and the drawings become

the property of BHI Publications and may not be used or distributed

(including online) without the written permission of BHI Publications or its assigns.

For those using their entry as part of their NMRA AP requirements, use is encouraged and granted.

All designers will receive credit either on the page their design appears on or on a central page.

Categories and any explanations for each

1- Storage

This category is for layouts that can be stored and includes modular ones but it must be an entire layout so for instance N-Trak or Free-MO type modules are not eligible but a shelf switching layout is.

The Layout must include a way to be stored in no more than 40 cubic feet with the largest dimension in any direction being 5 feet. Minimum size is 2'x4'. There must be storage for all equipment and structures and everything necessary to run a layout within the dimensional space.

2- Small layouts

This is for permanent layouts that measure up to 6'x10' with the largest dimension in any direction being 10'

3- Medium layouts

This is for permanent layouts that are larger than 6'x10' (60 square feet) up to ones that are up to 150 square feet. The longest dimension can not be greater than 15'.  Aisles should be a minimum of 30" wide but can have choke points narrowing down to no smaller than 24".

4- Large layouts

Layouts ranging from 150 square feet up to 22'x22' . Aisles should be a minimum of 30" wide but can have choke points narrowing down to no smaller than 24". Garden railroads are welcome that have less than 500' of track.

All mailed entries must be postmarked by October 1, 2010 and should be mailed flat or in a tube to:

BHI Publications

PO Box 247

Cottleville, MO  63338

Prizes are:

1st place:  $50 & up to $100 of our Quick Pic Books + 2 copies of the first book it appears in

2nd Place: $35 & up to $75 of our Quick Pic Books + 2 copies of the first book it appears in

3rd place:  $25 & up to $50 of our Quick Pic Books + 2 copies of the first book it appears in

In the event that any winners reside outside the US, the cash part of the prize will be paid via PayPal transfer or they can apply the cash prize towards our books and shipping or they can pick it up in person at the National Narrow Gauge Conventions where we usually are a registered vendor.

Any entrants who is not one of the top 3 chosen by the judges and whose work is published in a book

may purchase up to 2 copies of any particular title their work is showcased in for $10 + shipping.

The purpose of this contest is to get layouts designed by you with the features

you want to see into print for the enjoyment of modelers and armchair modelers.

Please pass this webpage along to anyone you feel may be interested.

It is open to anyone and will be judged by a panel consisting of modelers & prototype railroaders.

The winning designs along with other entries will be featured in the first volume of the new MASTERING MODEL RAILROADING series volume on trackplans

All entrants agree that by entering the contest, that your drawing(s) may be published in any

books we choose to use them in and warrant that they are the original work of the submitter.

Questions?    tim@bhipubs.com