"While it is highly desirable to fill every contest room with models, photos, crafts, and displays, the contest room should not be subjected to artificial quotes. Many miss an important reason for the contest room. The contest room has always been a focal point for all NMRA meets and conventions. Virtually all who attend these functions pass through the contest room to view the entries. Many visit more than once. The contest room is a learning venue. Through viewing the work of others, ideas and new techniques can be learned. It can be a rewarding and educational experience. How many of you have been inspired to take on a new project just by viewing the woirk of others? Quite frankly, I have learned more from viewing and judging the work of others than from any of the clinics I have attended over the years. The bottom line is that the contest room offers something for everyone, contestants and visitors alike. It is not a place where awards and recognitions are earned. It is a place for people to visit, exchange ideas and learn from others. It is a place to enjoy, and of education." (Duane Buck)

"We all need to keep this movement going. It's about models and modeling however we can promote it, displays, contests and one-on-one discussions of those models (however they are presented-display or contest) to foster learning and exchange of ideas. But you know what? There is another element besides giving and taking ideas and tidbits about trains and it is perhaps the greatest benefit and joy of what we are doing. It is about the friendships that are formed or renewed even though you may see the other guy only once in a blue moon; it is about the inspiration and encouragement that bounces from person to person in such exchanges. God knows I'm not a "new age" type person, but if that's not positive energy, I don't know what is. And you know what else? When we chat about building models and layouts and operations and prototype railroads and all the other great stuff, it's hard not to like the other guy even though he may have different political (model railroading-wise) views than yourself, and you find yourseld wanting to include the guy because he loves trains just like you do and when that happens, we start to think of ways to get rid of those differences." (Bob Hamm)

"The whole focus of the contests is a means of assessing one's own techniques and skills when scored against a pre-agreed matrix. The result ofr this is a benchmark to measure one's own improvement (or Not) against your previous efforts." (Terry Wynne)

"Guess what, it starts with the models and grows into a community which keeps in touch and shares their love for the hobby." (Louie Dalton)

"I agree that the term "model" in Model Railroading is key. However, model building, model displaying, and model discussions do not require contests. In a somewhat related area, there is the NMRA's achievement program. In this activity a model is "judged" not against other models, but rather, against a predetermined set of parameters. Regarding the future of contests, the market will decide what happens regarding contests. If modelers want them and participate in them, they will continue. If not, they won't. I can live with either scenario. The presence of models has nothing to do with contests, except that contest seems to inhibit the number of models." (Mike Brock)

"The way the Model Contest is set up now, anyone can participate. If you want judging, its available. If you want popular vote, its available. If you don't want either, but just to show your models, its available." (Bob Chait)

The above comments should give the members of the RMR something to think about. Those thoughts were expressed much better than I could do.