Voting concludes for 2016 Gold Rail Awards; winners to be announced in Jan/Feb issue
December 11, 2016 / Updated December 30, 2016
News
Cowcatcher Magazine readers again let their voices be heard, this time in record numbers.
More voters than ever participated in the magazine’s 8th Annual Gold Rail Awards, which determines the best of the best in model railroading and rail enthusiasm in the Southwest and Midwest. Voting ended Dec. 9; results will be announced in the January/February 2017 issue.
Up for grabs are 13 awards in 12 categories for nominees as chosen by Cowcatcher staff and readers. Also, a Gold Rail Achievement Award will be given to a person, group or operation that has made a significant contribution or achievement to the rail landscape.
Subscribers who provided the Cowcatcher an email address were eligible to vote electronically. Other readers voted online.
This year’s competition featured some returning champions and a few new faces. Last year, a broad swath of winners from eight states were crowned. Some longtime winners retained their titles, and some new ones took the gold.
2016 NOMINEES
A G-scale train weaving in and out of foliage, across rocky terrain and over bridges spanning water features in the backyard is a sight to behold. Yet it ranks behind its smaller counterparts. The NMRA lists the scale behind the more popular HO, N and O, respectively. Some say G-scale, which was introduced in the 1960s, doesn't have enough staying power, but many believe the future is vibrant. The scale is appealing to families in hopes of encouraging younger generations to get involved.
The Connecticut Southern Railway is moving plenty of waste in and out of New England, setting the pace in a growing commodity segment - transporting America's refuse to landfills by rail.
Well-known railroad artist John Winfield is using the canvas to help raise money for restoration of a Santa Fe No. 93.
With its flexibility in design, Walthers' N-scale Modern Lumber Transload is a good fit for the Whitehurst & Pine Ridge Railroad. Also, JL Innovative Design has new owners who are expanding the company's product offerings; 'common sense' drives the Federal Railroad Administration's final rule on train crew size; a former Milwaukee zoo locomotive returns home and more!
