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
On Jan. 1, 2024, BNSF Railway took over operations on the storied Montana Rail Link after a lease agreement between the railroads dating to the late 1980s was cut short. BNSF says operating as one railroad will bring benefits to customers and opportunities for freight growth in the region through enhanced capacity and stronger service. In some respects, the company views MRL's integration as a reunion.
NEW PRODUCTS HIGHLIGHT AMHERST
Model manufacturers debuted new products before record attendance at the Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show in January. Micro-Trains announced new offerings in HO scale, a first for the company that specializes in N and Z trains.
Smaller components and Bluetooth technology are making battery operation for HO scale more plausible. See how the Texas-based CLRR has gone from DCC to deal rail.
KR Models' long-awaited skeletal logging cars arrive and make a nice impression. Also, a strong fourth-quarter finish lifts spirits for Class I railroad executives, who believe the momentum will carry over into this year. And the Denver & Rio Grande Western's Royal Gorge traversed mountains, traveled along rivers and glided through tunnels from Salt Lake City to Denver.
