This is a fairy tale – or you could say and “Unfairy” tale for your amusement.
Once upon a time there was a model railroader called Mr. Boxcar. Now Mr. Boxcar was very active in the hobby, known by many modelers, and an official with the International Model Railroad Organization (IMRO). Now Mr. Boxcar was working on his accreditation as a Model Railroad Master (MRM) by going through the Acquirement Program (AP).
Mr. Boxcar was building a Widget for entry for the upcoming judging and knew that it wouldn’t hurt if some of the local judges friends knew that it was his Widget that they were judging. The judging is set up where the judges supposibly don’t know who’s entry that they are judging to keep things “fair and objective”.
In any event, Judge Flatcar is a member of Mr. Boxcar’s operating group. Mr. Boxcar conveniently / accidentally leaves his Widget that’s under construction on his work bench where Judge Flatcar sees it during an ops session. Upon seeing the Widget he asks Mr. Boxcar “Are you going to enter your Widget in the next contest?”. Mr. Boxcar acts embarrassed and quickly covers the Widget with a rag replying “You weren’t supposed to see that!”.
Later on Mr. Boxcar takes his Widget over to another model railroader’s home where he just happens to know that Judge Tankcar is going to visit. He is showing it to the homeowner when Judge Tankcar accidentally sees the Widget. Upon seeing the Widget he asks Mr. Boxcar “Are you going to enter your Widget in the next contest?”. Mr. Boxcar acts embarrassed and quickly covers the Widget with a rag replying “You weren’t supposed to see that!”.
Now Mr. Boxcar attends the semi-monthly meeting of the Wankle Division of the IMRO, Widget in hand. He puts it “sort-of out of sight” but Judge Coveredhopper sees the Widget. Mr. Boxcar explains “I brought this here so Mr. Wellcar could take a look at it. Judge Coveredhopper asks Mr. Boxcar “Are you going to enter your Widget in the next contest?”. Mr. Boxcar acts embarrassed and quickly covers the Widget with a rag replying “You weren’t supposed to see that!”.
Fast forward to contest time. The judges are – yes, you guessed it, Judge Flatcar, Judge Tankcar, and Judge Coveredhopper – and one other judge, Judge Coilcar. They all look at Mr. Boxcar’s entry which is well done, but unexceptional. In any other region with any other judges that didn’t know that it was Mr. Boxcar’s entry it would probably earn a “C”. The judges here give there friend an A+ and award Mr. Boxcar an Acquirement award towards his MRM.
And everybody lives happy ever after!
