2022 contest winners announced
2022 contest winners announced: The 2022 Walthers National Model Railroad Build-Off has ended its third year by announcing its winners on August 12, at the 2022 National Train Show in Collinsville, Ill. This competition was designed to challenge model railroaders from across the country to be creative and construct unique layouts.
The last day to enter this year’s contest was June 30. The entrants’ layouts were judged based on each category’s specific criteria. Photographs of the final projects were submitted via the contest website. An anonymous panel of experienced modelers voted on the best three layouts in each of the four categories: Youth HO or N scale, Adult HO scale, Adult N scale, and Open Freestyle.
Winners received up to $2,000 in cash for first place, up to $1,000 in cash for second, and a product bundle worth up to $250 for third.
Youth HO & N scale winners
First-place winner for the HO & N scale youth category is Calyssa Post, second-place winner is Oscar Riddle, and the third-place winner is Paxton Schlotthauer. The HO & N scale youth category was open to individuals or teams 14-years-old or younger, with a module size requirement of 2-by-2 feet. Calyssa’s painting and weathering techniques gave her layout a realistic look, along with a well-executed waterfall.
Adult HO scale winners
First-place winner for the HO scale adult category is Ryan Bartlett, second-place winner is Steve Hurt, and third-place winner is Sandra Dean. The HO-adult individual category was open to individuals 15-years-old or older, with a module size requirement of 4-by-2 feet. Bartlett took home the $2,000 first-place prize for his detailed urban train station scene that included weathered pavement with realistic cracks, graffiti on the roadway underpass, and much more.
Adult N scale winners (new category)
First-place winner for the N scale adult category is Bruce Alcock and team from the OK Enrail Club, second-place winner is William Kowalski, and third-place winner is James Brassill. The N scale adult category was open to individuals 15-years-old or older, with a module size requirement of 3-by-2 feet. With a rural trackside scene, Bruce Alcock, Chuck Peterson, Lee Williams, Doug Cook, and Martin Weaver received the first-place prize for this category.
Open Freestyle winners
First-place winner for the freestyle category is Alan Carter, second-place winner is Andrew Wegener, and third-place winner is Daniel Fioretto. Also, an honorable mention goes out to Carl Schafter. This category was open to all ages, individuals, and teams, and could be completed in any scale, with a module size requirement of 4-by-2 feet. Alan Carter won the top prize for his completely genuine urban scene that hosted an incredible amount of detail, while utilizing space wisely.
Click the link to check out the video on Walthers’ Facebook page announcing this year’s winners.
Read about last year’s contest winners here.
