Judging at Shows

[Tyro]

There seems to be three main approaches to judging layouts at shows: no judging at all (ie: no accolade for being "best in show"):  judging by a small panel of senior members drawn from the host club: and judging by visitors to the show via the use of voting slips.  The first smacks of organisational laziness, the second is prone to unconscious bias if any one of the judges is dedicated to a particular gauge or scale.  The third way - by using voting slips tucked into the pages of the show guide - is surely the only realistic way of avoiding lack of objectivity in the judging process.

Look at it from the viewpoint of a club that, for example, is showing an award-winning 2mm layout and has maybe spent several hours on the road over a long weekend.  Their expectations are probably high.  Consequently, if there is no award process at all, or if the judging panel is comprised of three members who think large scale scratchbuilt models trump N-gauge layouts, no matter how pretty, there is bound to be dissatisfaction, if not a sense of grievance, to say the least.

The prospect of winning recognition at shows is a powerful motivator for modellers.  Understanding, addressing and exploiting this incentive is surely worth serious attention by show organisers.

[newbryford]

I've never exhibited with the intention of winning an award. If we get one, great. If we don't, we're not bothered

 

And yes, we have won them from public vote to club member vote to specilist rolling stock, signalling or scenery award. Even a personalised award from a 8 year old for best layout at a show

 

Does it actually really matter if there are awards or not?

 

As for saying organisational laziness, there's enough to do at a show without the extra load generated by counting votes etc.

 

Credit to the clubs that do present awards.

 

Cheers

Mick

Edited November 6, 2017 by newbryford

[Western Star]

There seems to be three main approaches to judging layouts at shows: no judging at all (ie: no accolade for being "best in show"):  judging by a small panel of senior members drawn from the host club: and judging by visitors to the show via the use of voting slips. 

As in many things to do with shows the Basingstoke Club does something different.  We invite a person from outside the club...  someone who is respected within the railway modelling world.  So far example:-

 

* 2015 and our guest was Steve Flint, editor of Railway Modeller.  Steve was asked to select the layout most appealing to the younger visitor;

 

* 2016 and our guest was Mike the Stationmaster (his RMWeb username).  Mike was asked to judge the layouts for "most realistic infrastructure and operation";

 

* 2017 and our guest was Chris Nevard.  Chris was asked to judge the layouts on the basis of "most attractive / realistic" scenery;

 

* 2018 and our guest is to be Nigel Smith who is the current Chairman of the Gauge 0  Guild.  Nigel is going to judge the layouts against the criterium of "layout most likely to inspire a visitor to start (re-start) railway modelling".

 

I am very aware that some people have not agreed with the results of the judging.  I am not aware of any visitor who has either thought that the judge was not qualified or thought that setting a selection criteria was not a suitable way of guiding the judge.

 

Of course, if any RMWebber thinks otherwise then I shall be glad to consider suggestions on how we might do better for future shows.

 

Similarly, I am happy to receive suggestions as to who might be a suitable judge for 2019, 2020, 2021 etc., etc., etc..

 

regards, Graham

[Taigatrommel]

Winning awards is not remotely a motivating factor in my modelling.  It's hard enough making models that I'm halfway satisfied with, let alone wanting to put them up for judgement!  That said, of course any award is flattering, whatever the judging method.

 

On the subject of votes from the general public, outside of specialist exhibitions it's practically a given that best in show goes to a busy continuous run layout with long trains and reasonable scenery.  The entertainment factor combined with the aspects non-expert viewers can relate to see to that!

Edited November 6, 2017 by Taigatrommel

[PaulRhB]

No judging equals laziness? Since when does modelling have to be competitive?

Exhibiting is about having fun and sharing the hobby for me and if there is judging then it's just a bit of fun as I know you'll find loads of different opinions, it doesn't mean anything really

I dont mind competitions but I don't want them to be seen as a measure of ability like seems to be the case in the NMRA, let the models speak for themselves reputation is better than certificates

[Western Star]

Look at it from the viewpoint of a club that, for example, is showing an award-winning 2mm layout and has maybe spent several hours on the road over a long weekend.  Their expectations are probably high.  Consequently, if there is no award process at all, or if the judging panel is comprised of three members who think large scale scratchbuilt models trump N-gauge layouts, no matter how pretty, there is bound to be dissatisfaction, if not a sense of grievance, to say the least.

This quote seems to me to read as if the example given is expecting a pat on the back just for turning up.

 

Our Club prides itself on choosing a wide spread of layout scales / sizes / genre / periods and with something like 25 layouts per show then choosing a selection criteria which is a level playing field for each exhibit is going to be either extremely difficult or a lowest common denominator and hence not worthy of consideration as representative of "best".

 

Let me give an example of a surprising choice.  One year the judges were club members, this was the year that we invited Pempoul to our show. Pempoul did not even get a mention in the award ceremony.  Was Gordon upset?  If he was then he was considerate to neither show nor remark - Maggie on the other hand was in agreement that the chosen layout would appeal to the younger visitor and hence was a worthy winner.

 

regards, Graham

Edited November 7, 2017 by Western Star

[Western Star]

Winning awards is not remotely a motivating factor in my modelling.  It's hard enough making models that I'm remotely satisfied with, let alone wanting to put them up for judgement!  That said, of course any award is flattering, whatever the judging method.

 

On the subject of votes from the general public, outside of specialist exhibitions it's practically a given that best in show goes to a busy continuous run layout with long trains and reasonable scenery.  The entertainment factor combined with the aspects non-expert viewers can relate to see to that!

Steve Flint chose a N-gauge model of Dentdale...  Chirs Nevard chose Charmouth...

 

* neither were "busy"

* Charmouth is a bucolic branch line terminus.

 

Both layouts are good modelling.

Edited November 6, 2017 by Western Star

[Taigatrommel]

Steve Flint chose a N-gauge model of Dentdale...  Chirs Nevard chose Charmouth...

 

* neither were "busy"

* Charmouth is a bucolic branch line terminus.

 

Both layouts are good modelling.

Neither are votes from the general public!  Those are judges I would unhesitatingly call expert.

Edited November 6, 2017 by Taigatrommel

[Judge Dread]

I've never exhibited with the intention of winning an award. If we get one, great. If we don't, we're not bothered

 

And yes, we have won them from public vote to club member vote to specilist rolling stock, signalling or scenery award. Even a personalised award from a 8 year old for best layout at a show

 

Does it actually really matter if there are awards or not?

 

As for saying organisational laziness, there's enough to do at a show without the extra load generated by counting votes etc.

 

Credit to the clubs that do present awards.

 

Cheers

Mick

I must wholeheartedly agree with you here Mick. I have never taken a layout to a show with the purpose of winning an "ald tin pot". I know of those who had, on arrival, declared on seeing the listings of other layouts attending, "Well we won't win anything here today!" I also know of a certain person (same group) who believed his modelling subject was by far superior to all else. When at a certain show, his pride and joy didn't win anything but the club's "Thomas the tank engine" layout did, he marched off to the organiser and demanded to see the voting papers.

I have received awards at shows and been very glad so to do.  I've also been to exhibitions and not even received an attendance  plaque. The first time this happened, I had one made but it occurred to me that if any exhibition was not able to do that then I should go no further than printing one off on this P.C.  

[Dave Searle]

I have two perspectives on this.

 

Firstly, at our club's show, we invite the best layouts we can, each at the top of their game. These try to show a variety of modelling interests and styles - so how do you compare them?. Inevitably, different layouts will appeal to different people - which is what we are trying to achieve.

 

Secondly, as exhibitors ¹, we know our layout is good (we wouldn't take it out otherwise) but we are very aware that it doesn't appeal to everyone ("wrong" scale, era, style...). We do find that people who do like it, and interact with us, are appreciative and that is very rewarding. We see ourselves as there to entertain the visitors, whatever their interests, not to compete against other layouts. 

 

How do you define the criteria for judging - Fidelity to a prototype? Running quality? Scenic effect? Audience enjoyment?

 

In our new layout ², we are aiming for the best we can do, fully aware that it will be dismissed by some exhibition visitors because it's not their "thing".  That won't stop us

 

Cheers,

Dave

 

¹  Hinksey Yard is appearing at Spalding this coming weekend.

²  Lewes has had 18 months of prototype research put into it so far.

[Suzie]

Probably best to avoid judging if possible.

 

For public vote most of the public won't find the voting slip until they open the show guide when they get home. If they do vote it will probably be based on the maximum number of clichés in one layout.

 

A non-modelling V.I.P. (mayor etc.) will probably miss most of the detail that is most meaningful.

 

A club judge is likely to have some bias (eyesight not good enough for T-scale, locos don't have tenders and chimneys) even if not intentional.

 

Giving a celebrity judge a criterion is asking for trouble - the best judge of which layout is best for the younger visitor is the younger visitor! Let the celebrity judge decide what he thinks is best and tell you why!

 

I have operated layouts that have won best in show - I am sure that my operating must have been really good because judging was not based on correct signalling (signals were placed for aesthetic appeal and were completely meaningless) or correct stock (PO wagons and shiny pre-war grouping livery in the 1950s). If you want to win a plaque just make sure that you have that bus firmly glued down on the humped bridge and the copper domes have been polished!

[big jim]

I won a public vote for ‘best in show’ with my old warmington layout back in about 2009 at the romiley show, didn’t even know there was a competition on at the time until the chairman came up to me and presented me with a trophy!

 

The layout didn’t have any lighting rigs, pelmets, facias boards etc, just mounted on a pair of cheap b+q wooden treadles with a cloth covering them but had lots going on, twinkly lights, signals, a few sound locos etc which must have captured the public imagination on the day as from a ‘technical’ point of view it was a very basic set up that was never really intended to leave Home

 

Winning spurred me on to futher develop the layout and I had proposed adding facias etc and making it more robust to move to shows but unfortunaly redundancy put pay to that idea and the layout lived at home from then on until I sold it on

Edited November 6, 2017 by big jim

[Red Devil]

Won a few best layout cups, which for a predominantly tram layout at a model railway show ain't bad in my book.........but to be honest I couldn't care less, it's not about gongs, it's about enjoying myself.

 

Anyone 'competing' really needs to have a look at themselves, yeah winning is nice but if that's what you're there for........???

 

So as to 'how' etc.............couldn't care less!

[grahame]

 

The prospect of winning recognition at shows is a powerful motivator for modellers. 

 

Is that so? Is there any empirical evidence to support that claim?

 

My experience of exhibiting layouts at shows is that 'thanks' for turning up and being looked after with tea and meals is sufficient, along with the fun and enjoyment of any associated social side and the chance to see other exhibits rather than hoping to win a pot for 'best in show' (although no doubt there are a few who are competitively motivated but I'd guess they are very few).

 

G.

[Neil]

It seems to me that one of the attractions of railway modelling is that it's a non competitive pastime. Admittedly it's a second or third tier attraction but it's there nonetheless. I can recognise the boost to morale that the appreciation of others brings but does it have to be ranked or quantified by an award, trophy or cup to have an effect? 

[PaulRhB]

Personally the fact people are spurred to chat and ask about it is all the motivation I need because it means someone else is enjoying it. If I built something so oddball it wasn't wanted at a show I'd still enjoy it and the day I start modelling just for others I think I will have lost the plot.

Can't say Trophies spur me on much like you won't see show plaques all over the front of my layouts .

[Jol Wilkinson]

It seems to me that one of the attractions of railway modelling is that it's a non competitive pastime. Admittedly it's a second or third tier attraction but it's there nonetheless. I can recognise the boost to morale that the appreciation of others brings but does it have to be ranked or quantified by an award, trophy or cup to have an effect? 

 

Neil,

 

while "railway modelling" may not be a competitive hobby, people often are. 

 

Personally the fact people are spurred to chat and ask about it is all the motivation I need because it means someone else is enjoying it. If I built something so oddball it wasn't wanted at a show I'd still enjoy it and the day I start modelling just for others I think I will have lost the plot.

Can't say Trophies spur me on much like you won't see show plaques all over the front of my layouts .

 I agree with Paul, positive comments are what make's it worthwhile. When "awards" are involved, there will be more disappointed layout owners/operators than satisfied ones. I also don't bother with a display of "Look where we have been" plaques. 

 

Public voting will be subjective and therefore biased, so is best avoided. Other's have commented on the benefits or otherwise of having expert judges.

 

However, if you want to win "Best Layout" then I have noticed there are some things that appear to be of help.

• Get the layout in one of the major magazines before the show. 
• Have all you club members vote.
• If the layout has a geographic location, show it at exhibitions in that area.

If you can combine all three, then you'll definitely be on a winner. It may also help to have a layout "thread" on RMweb.

 

Jol

[298]

It seems to me that one of the attractions of railway modelling is that it's a non competitive pastime. Admittedly it's a second or third tier attraction but it's there nonetheless. I can recognise the boost to morale that the appreciation of others brings but does it have to be ranked or quantified by an award, trophy or cup to have an effect?

 

Being invited to some shows is an honour in itself, and at a notable one recently I was asked to vote for my top three layouts, as were the public. I was slightly sceptical at first as similar votes have seen some more mischievous club members scoop some spare voting forms to ensure the club sales stand and the postbox itself became winners (until they were disqualified). So after some serious deliberation, I named my top three. What was interesting was the public vote called a different winner to the exhibitors, but in both cases, every layout had been voted for (thus confirming the invitation policy).

[298]

If I built something so oddball it wasn't wanted at a show I'd still enjoy it and the day I start modelling just for others I think I will have lost the plot.

 

I'm thinking of modelling something "Br!#!$h", oddball never seems to pick up show invitations and sometimes I think the average Punters knowledge of railways and the hobby worldwide is sadly lacking...

[jonhall]

Two other benefits (to the show) of having a best in show

 

1) by public vote, it helps tell the exhibition manager what visitors like?

 

2) by taking photos of the pot being handed over it gives a reason to get them published in the press for future publicity.

 

Jon

[David Bigcheeseplant]

At Railex the best layout in the show is voted by the layout owners, they choose what they think are their choice of the top three layouts No.1 gets 3 points No.2 gets 2 and No. 3 gets 1 point, you can't vote for yourself and the layout with the most points gets best layout. Normally most layouts get at least one vote. 

 

One advantage of doing it this way is that layout owners have to take a break and look round the show.

 

We also have another award for best model which is for any model but not a layout this is judged by a well known modeller last year it was Iain Rice.

 

 

David

[Guest 40-something]

 

The prospect of winning recognition at shows is a powerful motivator for modellers.  

I would have to disagree with this. 

 

I love exhibiting, for me the recognition is being invited to exhibit in the first place. 

 

Getting the chance to see layouts I've not seen before, speak to other exhibitors, make new friends etc etc are the reasosn I love exhibiting.

 

Its not a competition, true there are some exhibitors that go in a huff if they dont win an award, but that is not representative of the whole community.

[tamperman36]

Most of us model railways as a hobby for there own enjoyment, if they exhibit a layout it should be to show there modelling skill and to encourage  and inspire others. If there are any trophies or awards to be won then that is a bonus but these days more and more clubs are struggling to get enough members together to run an exhibition let alone organise voting / judging, purchase or arranging return of trophies and finally the presentation.

 

Having been awarded trophies at exhibitions in the past on a few occasions I can't say I didn't find it gratifying, however the real  bonus was being invited to show my layout and stock in the first place.

[Chris M]

I build layouts to the best of my ability but they are unlikely to ever win a best in show award. The prospect of an award would not make my layouts ant better as I can't do any better. I have had visitors tell me that for them, my layout is the best in the show, and that is enough to make my day.

 

I can see that the public vote provides exhibition managers with useful information about the layouts that the paying visitors like. The problem is that everyone will have different criteria as to what makes a brilliant layout.

[Ross34]

I was going to say "why should railway modelling be a competitive activity" but other modelling genres definitely do compete in many categories - a visit to the plastic model show in Telford will confirm that (and worth attending )

 

The "issue" with railway modelling as a sport is that unlike plastic modelling (for example) there are no universally accepted categories or standards - and there would need to be very many and equally as many "qualified" judges. Also any meaningful accolade would only be presented on an annual basis.

 

Getting an award at an exhibition is quite a pleasant experience I guess and there is certainly no harm in it (unless it "really" matters to you) but honestly doesn't mean much IMHO -  there a too many variables and like it or not is subject to peer pressure and (more often than it should) whether your face fits or if you belong to the right "gang"