REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE
The Australian Narrow Gauge Convention is a Pre-Registration only event.
Registrations are now available to purchase online via TryBooking, or print a copy of the Registration Form and return via post.
See buttons at bottom of this page for online or postal registration options.
As well as Registrations for the event, optional extras, such as Convention polo shirts, attendance to the awards dinner, the Partners Program and an optional extra activity for Easter Monday at Lake Macquarie Light Rail, are all available to book now. See below for further details on these optional extras.
REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE
The Australian Narrow Gauge Convention is a Pre-Registration only event.
Registrations are now available to purchase online via TryBooking, or print a copy of the Registration Form and return via post.
See buttons at bottom of this page for online or postal registration options.
As well as Registrations for the event, optional extras, such as Convention polo shirts, attendance to the awards dinner, the Partners Program and an optional extra activity for Easter Monday at Lake Macquarie Light Rail, are all available to book now. See below for further details on these optional extras.
Welcome to the
Australian Narrow Gauge Convention
Contests
A popular part of the Convention is the modelling and photography contest. A range of categories provide a good variety of subjects to display. Details and rules for these contests are available on this page.
The Australian Narrow Gauge Convention, for many years, has been home to a well-attended model and photography contest. As much as it is a contest, the enjoyment of admiring the modelling efforts is a highlight of the weekend. It's not always about winning, but challenging yourself to better your personal best. We have been graced with some incredible models and photos over the years, and expect the next contest to be no different.
Attendees may submit entries in the following contest categories for this convention;
LOCOMOTIVE - STEAM
LOCOMOTIVE - DIESEL & OTHER
ROLLING STOCK - PASSENGER CARS, including CABOOSE
ROLLING STOCK - FREIGHT CARS, including M.O.W. CARS
WHOLE TRAIN
STRUCTURE
DIORAMA
MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY
PROTOTYPE PHOTOGRAPHY
plus, special category -
Entries in the Australian Narrow Gauge Convention Contest are awarded by popular vote, including the model chosen for the Best of Show award. Winners of the modelling and photography contest will be announced at the Awards Presentation Dinner held on Saturday evening during the convention.
STANDARD CONVENTION CONTEST RULES
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The sections used at Australian Narrow Gauge Conventions will be as follows:
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- Locomotives - Steam
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- Locomotives - Diesel & Other
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- Rolling Stock - Passenger Cars, including Cabooses
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- Rolling Stock - Freight Cars, including M.O.W. Cars
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- Whole Train
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- Structure
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- Diorama
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- Model Photograph
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- Prototype Photograph
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- Best in Show
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(Note; see section descriptions below.)
Special Sections
These special sections can be whatever the Convention Committee decides and can have their own special rules or conditions. These will be shown on the convention website.
The competition is only open to fully paid registered attendees and trade stands personal to the convention. If an attendee is fully registered for the convention, but cannot attend for whatever reason, they are still able to enter a model or photograph into the competition. They must ensure they have another attendee who is responsible for the model or photograph.
The contest shall be decided by attendee vote (one per attendee) on the supplied voting form, and placed in the contest voting box located in the contest room. Voting will finish at 3:30 pm on the Saturday of the convention. The results will be announced at the Convention dinner.
Descriptive and information sheets on the model or photograph can be displayed with the model or photograph. A maximum of one sheet of A4 paper per model is permitted.
In the event of a tie for first place in any of the sections, all members of the committee will vote for either of the models until a winner is found. The loser of this special ballot will become the second placed model.
The Convention Committee take no responsibility for the models or photographs that have been entered into the competition but will endeavour to ensure the safety and security of the contest entries at all times. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the contest.
LOCOMOTIVES - STEAM
LOCOMOTIVES - DIESEL & OTHER
These two sections are for models that will move under their own power and can be scratch-built, assembled from a kit or kit based (a combination of a kit with scratch-built parts) and can be built in whatever materials the modeller prefers. Commercial parts and decals can be used. They do not have to be in a particular scale or prototype but must be of a narrow gauge theme. The model can be displayed on a mirror or a mounted section of basic track where the model takes up more than 70% of the base.
ROLLING STOCK - PASSENGER CARS (including CABOOSES)
ROLLING STOCK – FREIGHT CARS (including M.O.W. CARS)
These two sections are for models scratch-built, assembled from a kit or kit based (a combination of a kit with scratch-built parts) and can be built in whatever materials the modeller prefers. Commercial parts and decals can be used. They do not have to be in a particular scale or prototype but must be of a narrow gauge theme. The model can be displayed on a mirror or a mounted section of basic track where the model takes up more than 70% of the base.
WHOLE TRAIN
This section is for a combined display of locomotive plus a train of rolling stock. Construction of both locomotive and rolling stock guided as per the above locomotive and rolling stock category rules. The train does not have to be in a particular scale or prototype but must be of a narrow gauge theme. The displayed whole train is limited to a maximum length of 1.2m (1200mm). The train should preferably be displayed on a mounted section of basic track so the train remains straight and assembled for judging (use of plain flex-track also permitted).
STRUCTURE
This section is for an assembled kit, kit-based or scratch-built structure and can contain only one building whose footprint takes up no less than 70% of the plain coloured base (black or white base only). Structures entered with large scenic bases will be considered a diorama. It can contain additions, such as sheds, footpaths or other objects that are attached to the structure. If roofs or walls are removable to view the interior they can be displayed separately. The structure can contain interior lighting, but the committee cannot guarantee the availability of power. Contact the committee to see if a supply of power is possible.
DIORAMA
This section is for assembled kits, kit-based or scratch-built structures, amenities and scenery that form one scene. The scene can contain multiple structures that can be non-related and attached to a base up to 1m square. The diorama can contain full scenery, railway track and cars, roads, figures and automobiles and any object to enhance the scene. The inclusion of a backdrop or back scene is not permitted as part of the diorama. The completed diorama should not be a baseboard or module from a larger model railroad.
MODEL & PROTOTYPE PHOTOGRAPHY
These two sections of the contest can be any photograph of a model or prototype scene and must have a narrow gauge railway theme. The maximum permitted size for a photograph entry is 16”x20” (40cm x 50cm). There is a maximum of 2 photographic entries per category per attendee. The only permitted framing of photographs is a basic matt board surround. Other photographic frames (timber, plastic or metal), with or without glass cannot be entered because of safety concerns, and no facilities to correctly hang a framed photograph for display. Each entry may have a small sticker attached to it with the entry number on it.
These contest rules and descriptions can be altered at any time without notice by an organizing committee, but once they are published on the conventions website, they will remain that way until the convention is over. The rules and descriptions then revert back to the Standard Rules as stated here. If you require further information on these Contest Rules, contact the current convention committee through the convention website.