Here are photos of the entries that placed or won awards at the 2026 Lone Star Region NMRA Convention, Connections, which was held in Austin, Texas. Congratulations to the winners, and everyone who entered! (Click to enlarge)
Photos by Steve Crise (except where noted)
Full List of Winners
Model Contest Winners
Steam Locomotives
1. Don Winn, MMR – 100th Anniversary Locomotive
Diesel Locomotives
No Entries
Traction & Other Motive Power
1. Don Winn, MMR – AE&FRE 306 Interurban
Passenger Cars
1. Russell Gifford – D&RGW Alamosa Parlor Car
Freight Cars
1. Russell Gifford – FW&D Coal Gondola
2. Michael Strittmatter – Astrogirl Auto Carrier
Maintenance of Way
1. Russell Gifford – RGS #2 Plow Flanger
2. Russell Gifford – R&D Civil Engineering Car
3. Don Winn, MMR – NALX Weed Sprayer Car
Cabooses
1. Don Winn, MMR – CB&Q NE-10 Way Car
2. Russell Gifford – D&RGW Long Caboose
On-Line Structures
1. Rod Fredericks – Zenith Freight Forwarder
2. Brian Block, MMR – Machine Shop
3. Don Winn, MMR – Richards-Wilcox Factory
Off-Line Structures
1. Jeff Palmer, MMR – Drug Store
2. Wayne Jones – Longsworth General Store
3. Jeff Palmer, MMR – Barber Shop
Bridges & Trestles
No Entries
Display / Modules
1. Gerald Mabry – Aziz’s Garage
2. Chuck Lind, MMR – T. Glass Gold Storage
3. Russell Gifford – Rock City Barn
Photography Contest Winners
Prototype B&W Prints
1. Marc LaChey, MMR – “RGS Engine #20”
2. Marc LaChey, MMR – “RGS Engine #20 on the High Line”
3. Brian Watts – “Rusted”
Prototype Color Prints
1. Duane Richardson, MMR – “315 Out of Chama”
2. Marc LaChey, MMR – “RGS Engine #20 North to Silverton”
3. Geoff Hogno – “Big Boy #4014”
Model B&W Prints
1. Wayne Jones – “Down the Old Main Drag”
2. Geoff Hogno – “Lumberyard at the Miniature Wonderland”
3. Geoff Hogno – “European Gravel Pit at the Miniature Wonderland”
Model Color Prints
1. Wayne Jones – “Cross Roads”
2. Wayne Jones – “Hangin’ Out at Lynn’s”
3. Geoff Hogno – “Black Bear and Bayou Main Street”
Computer Enhanced Photography
1. Brian Watts – “Glory”
Best in Show
Marc LaChey, MMR – “RGS Engine #20”
Arts & Crafts Contest Winners
Arts & Crafts General
1. Melissa Stephens – Padded Fabric Picture Frame
2. Divina Gato-Hogno – Thanksgiving Wreath
Arts & Crafts Railroadiana
1. Yoko Mazza – “Switching”
2. Helen Beggane – “Capital Limited Leaving”
Arts & Crafts Needlework
No Entries
Arts & Crafts Theme (“Connections”)
1. Deborah Gifford – “Connecting to the Past”
Most Popular
Yoko Mazza – “Switching”
Novice Best in Show
Yoko Mazza – “Switching”
Best in Show
Yoko Mazza – “Switching”
Special Awards
Loren Neufeld Square Footer Award (Tie)
Russell Gifford – Rock City Barn
Chuck Lind, MMR – T. Glass Cold Storage
Gil Freitag Award for Best Scratch-Built Model
Russell Gifford – D&RGW Alamosa Parlor Car
Best Kit-Built Award
Chuck Lind, MMR – T. Glass Cold Storage
James P. Baugh Architecture Award
No Qualifying Entries
James P. Baugh Memorial Tree Award
Russell Gifford – Rock City Barn
Bob Clarke Logging Award
No Qualifying Entries
Most Popular Complete Train
Don Winn, MMR – Austin Steam Train
Linda S. Little Award
No Qualifying Entries
Youth & Teen Awards
No Entries
Participation Award
Russell Gifford: 3 entries, 316 points
Most Popular
Brian Block, MMR – Machine Shop
Novice Best in Show
No Qualifying Entry
Best in Show
Russell Gifford – D&RGW Alamosa Parlor Car