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
In a deviation from normal cover content, the Cowcatcher features the latest in 4000 series Big Boys, Minitrix's N-scale No. 4013. Why? It's one smooth-running model and the mood was just right. No. 4013 pulled 26 cars and a caboose effortlessly on Olaf Melhouse's Dakota Northern at the same time Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 was rolling through North Texas on its latest tour across the Midwest. Both the model and prototype are equally impressive. Check out the full review in the November/December 2024 issue.
Rapido Trains attributes its success over the last 20 years to relying on the knowledge of its model railroader-centric employee base. Plus, founder Jason Shron's persistence paid off after taking a big chance. He left behind his pursuits to teach art history and fulfilled a lifelong desire to make model trains.
Home Shops' USRA boxcars are another example of the company's high-quality freelance rolling stock.
The new Bartlett soybean processing plant arrives at a time when multiple industries are finding value in the versatile legume. Model train backdrops don't always need to be an elaborate work of art to create the right effect. Passengers riding the Empire State Express on the New York Central from Detroit to New York City reveled in the luxurious accommodations. And more!
