The following provisions should guide the preparation and conduct of the Model, Photo, and Non-Rail Contests at Lone Star Region Conventions.

Room Requirements:

1. The room should be large enough for at least sixteen tables, and preferably, for up to twenty tables.
2. The Contest room should be well lighted.
3. White, or light-colored, table covers should be used on the tables.
4. The room should be capable of being locked during the night, during the Banquet and the Breakfast, and at other times when not in use.

Contest Operating Schedule:

1. Registration of entries should begin at the same time that convention registration begins, and continue during convention hours until noon Saturday. Depending on the number of entries, earlier closing time may be warranted.
2. Contest Room should be closed for judging from Saturday noon until between 4 pm and 5 pm, or until judging has been completed.
3. Contest Room should reopen for viewing after judging has been completed.
4. Contest Room should be open for a period after the Banquet to permit viewing of the entries.
5. Contest Room should be open after the Breakfast to permit entries to be reclaimed by owners or representatives. (Note: Contestants who do not stay for the Breakfast should be permitted to reclaim their entries following the Banquet.)

Personnel Requirements:

1. Two people should handle registration and display of entries.
2. One person should be in the Contest Room at all times that the room is unlocked, for security.
3. Five judges should be available for judging the model contest, and two for the photo contest, plus at least one person for judging stamps and passes.
4. Two judges should be used for the Non-Rail Contest if the number of entries warrant; if not, use only the "popular vote."
5. It is preferred that the judges be from the Convention city since the judging takes place during the usual layout tour period.

Most Popular Model/Most Popular Non-Rail Entry:

1. Ballot for each of these Contests should be included with the registration packet.
2. Ballot box should be in the Contest Room, near the entrance.
3. Voting for Most Popular entries should end before contest judging begins so the votes can be tabulated and announced at the Banquet.

Items Furnished by the LSR Contest Chairman:

1. Entry Registration Book.
2. Contest entry forms.
3. Signs for all LSR contest categories.
4. Award ribbons and other awards for contests sponsored by the LSR.
5. Ballot box for Most Popular contests.
6. Slide viewer (Local convention committee should furnish slide projector)

1. Entrant must be a member in good standing of the NMRA and the Lone Star Region, or of his home Region if from other than the Lone Star Region.
2. Contest entries must be entered by the member, or by a duly appointed proxy in attendance. No entries will be accepted by mail.
3. All entries must be left on display for one hour after conclusion of the Banquet, if possible, subject to the entrant’s travel schedule.
4. The entrant must complete an entry form as accurately as possible. The entry form must include the member’s name, NMRA and Region membership numbers, photo category, and photo identification. Any reservations on reproduction rights must be disclosed at the time of entry or it will be assumed that the LSR has the right to reproduce the image.
5. Prints should be mounted on flat rigid card stock or mat board. Loose prints, folders, or glass-framed prints will not be accepted. Photo and mount should not exceed 12" x 16". Minimum mount size is 8" x 10". Minimum print size is 5" x 7".
6. Color transparencies must be mounted in standard 2" x 2" mounts capable of being projected in a Kodak Carousel projector. Any image size the conforms to these criteria is acceptable.
7. A member may submit no more than five (5) entries per category, with a maximum of ten (10).
8. Exposure of the original negative, or transparency, must have been made by the entrant.
9. Entries having won first place or Best of Show in a previous LSR contest, or in an NMRA national contest shall not be eligible for the LSR photo contest However, such entries may be placed on display without being judged.
10. Any person who derives more than 50% of his/her income from employment as a photographer is excluded from entering the contest but would be welcome to assist in the judging.
11. The categories are as follows: