Here is information about the Banning Train Festival’s Model Contest. This will be a judged model contest with four $50.00 cash prizes to the winners. The purpose of the contest is to introduce the general public to the best efforts in the hobby as represented by "contest quality" models and provide a "wow" factor for both railroad hobbyists and the general public. These are the basics: • Models must exhibit a considerable degree of alteration, weathering, additional details, lettering, scratch-building or kit-bashing. • No proxy entries • Limit of two entries per category per person • Contest Categories: 1. Locomotive 2. Freight Car 3. Passenger Car & Caboose 4. Railroad Structure - Display footprint limited to 18 inches x 10 inches maximum for O and small scales, 30 x 20 for larger scales. Levity contest entries will not be considered. Levity display entries will be allowed on a space available basis. There also will be a non-contest display area for persons who wish to show their work without participating in the contest. The rules, scoring criteria and an entry form are available OFF LIST from me at: chiefbobbb@verizon.net Don’t forget the Train Festival (October 19 & 20) will feature operating modular layouts, railroad exhibitors and vendors, a Saturday swap meet and modeling clinics so join us even if you do not plan to participate in the contest. See you in Banning! Bob Chaparro Banning Centennial Train Festival Train Festival Website: http://banning100birthday.com/2012/11/26/centennial-train-fest/
There will also be a layout tour on Oct. 20th in the Big Bear area (just above Banning). See: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?153277-Bear-Valley-Model-Railroaders-Announces John
Off topic comment: I watched a Columbo the other day that I think was shot around BBL. Season 1 Episode 1 "Murder by the Book". In the episode they say this is near San Diego, but I don't think so. I have only passed through the BBL area, but this looks looks like it to me.