2023 N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards Winners
The “voter turnout” for the Nineteenth Annual N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards while not a record, was still exceptional. A total of 236 ballots were received in which the online voting accounted for 68% of the votes. However, many of those who voted online were at the convention, and they visited the N Scale Vehicle Association’s table to see what the models looked like in-person.
And like last year’s voting, one new model, and one enhanced model, acquired substantial leads in the first few days that the online voting became available. And while the in-person votes at the convention was much more evenly distributed among the five nominees for the New N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award, and likewise for the Enhanced N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award, the trend set by the early voting left little doubt as to which models would ultimately become the Vehicle of the Year Award winners.
Rapido Trains GM New Look Transit Bus – Winner of the New N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award
Showcase Miniatures Pierce Class Pumper Truck – Winner of the Enhanced N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award
Please join us in congratulating and thanking Rapido Trains and Showcase Miniatures for producing the fine models shown above. Also, let us thank all of the manufacturers whose models were nominated for this year’s awards. Many at the convention commented on how much better the N scale vehicle models are now!
Trainworx Legends of the Road Arrive In Time For 2023!
Trainworx much anticipated first releases in their “Legend of the Road Series” were shipped just before Christmas. The two sets of tractors and trailers are decorated in the Tri-State Commodities attractive paint scheme. Each set consists of a Kenworth W900A tractor, and either a dry bulk trailer, or a tarp covered grain trailer as shown below.
Trainworx #59001-1 Toad’s Pad tractor and trailer
Trainworx #59001-2 American Graffiti tractor and trailer
Note: The truck’s name (Toad’s Pad or American Graffiti) is printed of the back the sleeper. Also, the original announcement for these models with background for the prototypes can be found in NSVA’s Industry News. Just scroll approximately ¾ of the way down the page to August 7, 2017.
2022 N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards Winners
With the return of the National N Scale Convention, the winners of the Eighteenth Annual N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards were announced June 18, 2022 at the Saturday evening banquet in Nashville, TN. The N scale modelers attending the convention were able vote in-person, rather than just online or by mailing their ballot to the N Scale Vehicle Association as has been the only available option to vote for the last few years.
The distribution of votes cast for the many fine models that were nominated typically have generally been spread rather evenly among the nominees. However, this year one new model, and one enhanced model, stood out as favorites as soon as the online voting began, and that trend continued all the way to the convention! So, for those who missed the Saturday night announcement at the convention, the winners of the Eighteenth Annual N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards were:
Showcase Miniatures M2 Crew Cab Pumper
Winner of the New N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award
Showcase Miniatures KW heavy duty dump truck –
Winner of the Enhanced N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award
Please join us in congratulating and thanking Walter and Debbie Vail for producing the fine models shown above. Also, let us thank all of the manufacturers whose models were nominated for the awards this year.
2021 N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award Winners
This year we were able to return to the traditional New and Enhanced categories for the Seventeenth Annual N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards. But like last year, the voting was limited to mail in ballots and online.
The voting got off to a quick start early in May when the nominees were announced. This was followed by a nearly month-long lull. But by the middle of June the voting picked up again, and it finished strong with a record number of total votes cast!
All of the nominated models were popular choices based on the number of votes each received. And when all of the votes were tallied, the Artitec Ford 5000 farm tractor prevailed as the winner of the New N Scale Model of the Year, and the Trainworx Peterbilt 350 fuel tanker prevailed as the winner of the Enhanced N Scale Vehicle of the Year.
Please join us in thanking and congratulating Artitec and Trainworx for producing these fine models!
Artitec Ford 5000 farm tractor – winner of the Seventeenth Annual New N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award
Trainworx Peterbilt 350 vintage fuel tanker – winner of the Seventeenth Annual Enhanced N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award
2020 N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award Co-winners
This year, the determination of the Sixteenth Annual N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award winners was limited to mail in ballots and online voting due to the cancellation of the National N Scale Convention. Also, there were more “new” vehicle models eligible for the awards than “enhanced” vehicle models, so all eight nominees for the award competed in a single category.
However, two of the nominees received nearly equal shares of more than 50% of the votes cast. And since one of the qualified as an enhanced model and the other nominee qualified as a new model, the N Scale Vehicle Association felt compelled to declare the Artitec Massey Ferguson 830 combine and the Showcase Miniatures aerial ladder truck as co-winners of the Sixteenth Annual N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award!
Please join us in thanking and congratulating Artitec and Showcase Miniatures for producing these fine models!
Artitec Massey Ferguson 830 Combine
co-winner of the Sixteenth Annual N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award
Showcase Miniatures Aerial Ladder Truck
co-winner of the Sixteenth Annual N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award
River Point Station Fords Ready for Work
This pair of River Point Station fire department trucks has the new RPS light bars installed!
River Point Station offers two accessory packs for N scale vehicle models. One is a poly bag of 10 light bars molded in clear (colorless) plastic, and the other is a poly bag of 6 etched mirrors. Both the light bars and mirrors can be used to add detail to River Point Station N scale vehicle models, as well as N scale vehicle models from other manufacturers.
2019 N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards
We have confirmation that all of the votes have been counted, and the winners of the N Scale Vehicle Association’s Fifteenth Annual N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards have been determined. The New N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award goes to Artitec for the D7 dozer.
And the Enhanced N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award goes to Trainworx for the Budweiser Peterbilt 379 truck tractor with 40-foot trailer.
Artitec has been producing N scale models for just a few years now, with the D7 dozer only the second Artitec model nominated for the New N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award. Be sure to thank Artitec and Trainworx for bringing us these well detailed N scale models!
2018 N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards
The winners of the N Scale Vehicle Association’s Fourteenth Annual N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards were announced Saturday, June 23, 2018 during the evening banquet at the National N Scale Convention in Salt Lake City, UT. The winner of the New N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award was the Trainworx 1956 Peterbilt 351 log truck painted to match a real truck that was once owned by N scale modeler Vern Henderson!
And the winner of the Enhanced N Scale Vehicle of the Year Award was another Trainworx model. This one a Kenworth W900 painted to match the real truck once owned by N scale modeler Mike Sabia!
Congratulations to Trainworx for winning the awards, and thank you Trainworx (and the entire Sanders family) from our community of N scale modelers and vehicle collectors who really appreciate you bringing us these incredibly detailed models.
Showcase Miniatures Announces New Rotary Dump Truck
Showcase Miniatures has announced their next N scale vehicle model will be an “ST Class” rotary dump truck. Quoting from the Showcase website; “This kit features resin cab and one piece dump body, pewter parts and stainless steel photo etched parts. The hi-rail can be assembled deployed or retracted. We include a 3D printed wheel set so it can be displayed on the track. A vacu-formed windshield is included.” Dump trucks of this type are used by railroads and railroad construction contractors to dump ballast and rip rap loads while on the rails onto railroad roadbed and right of ways.
Trainworx Announces Freightliner Cascadia
Pat Sanders of Trainworx has announced that advance reservations are now being taken for the Freightliner Cascadia, one of the most prevalent modern class 8 highway truck tractors in use today. The prototype was announced in May of 2007, with the first trucks rolling off the production lines in August of 2007. Also announced are new 53' van and refrigerated trailers. Check our Industry News section for more details.
Trainworx Announces Legends of the Road Series
Pat Sanders of Trainworx has announced the first N scale models to be released with the recently announced Timpte grain trailer and pneumatic dry bulk trailer in the Trainworx "Legends of the Road" series. The first two models both utilize the Kenworth W900 truck tractor and respective trailers in the beautiful Tri-State Commodities paint scheme. Check our Industry News section for more details.
2017 N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards
The winners of the N Scale Vehicle Association’s Thirteenth Annual N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards were announced Saturday, June 24 during evening banquet at the National N Scale Convention in Pittsburgh, PA. The winner in the assembled model category was the Trainworx 53-feet refrigerated trailer.
The winner in the model kit category was the Showcase Miniatures GMC 9500 with Holmes wrecker.
Both Trainworx and Showcase Miniatures won the Vehicle of the Year Awards in the same categories in 2016. And like last year, Trainworx (the entire Sanders family) and Showcase Miniatures (Walter and Debbie Vail) had tables at the convention, and were able to receive their award certificates in person! When you get a chance, be sure to congratulate Trainworx and Showcase Miniatures, as well as let them know how much you appreciate the models they are making for our enjoyment.
Trainworx Announces Vintage Fuel Tankers
Pat Sanders of Trainworx has announced a variety of vintage tanker paint schemes for the Peterbilt 350 and Peterbilt 351 tractors to pull. Pre orders are due June 30, 2017 with delivery expected in the first quarter of 2018.
The Peterbilt 350 tractors and tank trailers will be available in the five paint schemes shown below:
And, the Peterbilt 351 tractors and tank trailers will be available in the six paint schemes shown below:
You can also download the official Trainworx fliers for this announcement. Click here for the Peterbilt 350 flier and click here for the Peterbilt 351 flier. Please take note of the new Trainworx truck logo on the Peterbilt 350 flier!
2016 N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards
The winners of the N Scale Vehicle Association’s Twelfth Annual N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards were announced Saturday, July 2, 2016 during the evening banquet at the National N Scale Convention in Overland Park, KS. The winner in the assembled and decorated model category was the Trainworx Peterbilt 379 with 52-ft Merritt cattle trailer, AKA the "Bull Hauler."
The winner in the model kit category was the Showcase Miniatures Freightliner M2 Business Class utility truck.
Both Trainworx (the entire Sanders family) and Showcase Miniatures (Walter and Debbie Vail) had display tables at the convention and were able to receive their award certificates in person! We congratulate both recipients!
Trainworx Releases New Limited Run Models for the Fourth of July 2016
Trainworx #51021 Kenworth K100 VIT 200 with WP Bicentennial trailer
Trainworx #59027 Kenworth W900 VIT 200 with N&W Bicentennial trailer
Pat Sanders of Trainworx is wishing America a Happy 240th Birthday with the release of two Bicentennial tractor-trailer sets. One set is a Kenworth K100 VIT 200 with one of the Western Pacific Bicentennial trailers. The other set is a Kenworth W900 VIT 200 with N&W Bicentennial trailer NWZ 1776.
The prototypes for the Kenworth limited edition Bicentennial trucks were the first tractors equipped with the new for 1976 raised-roof Aerodyne sleepers. The VIT stood for Very Important Trucker, and the 200 reflected the production was limited to 200 trucks. And in keeping with the authenticity and accuracy of these prototypes, the Trainworx models are also limited edition, with only 200 of each model produced!
You can see more of these colorful models on the Trainworx YouTube Channel.
Pat Sanders of Trainworx continues to work overtime getting new vehicle announcements cranked out. Just announced are Peterbilt 379 truck tractor in FedEx Ground and Kenworth T800 truck tractor in FedEx Freight paint schemes along with seven paint schemes coming for the 53-foot and 28-foot trailers.
But that's not all that's new! The “Iron Nose” Peterbilt 250 and 380 truck tractors has also been announced. This is not the same tractor that was used for the Duel movie truck! You may view or download the color fliers at these links:
http://www.train-worx.com/15-8fedex.pdf
http://www.train-worx.com/15-8pete350.pdf
Pat Sanders of Trainworx has been really working overtime on all the new N scale truck and trailer models and has just announced the next release. This is the first release in which the tractors and trailers may be purchased separately. The tractors are contemporary Kenworth T800 day cabs that UPS has been purchasing for its growing fleet of alternate fuel vehicles. The 28-ft pup trailers are based on Great Dane flat floor trailers that UPS purchased in 2003. The 53-ft trailers are based on the large fleet of UPS Stoughton flat floor trailers. Very impressive new lineup of models from Trainworx!
2015 N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards
The winners of the N Scale Vehicle Association’s Eleventh Annual N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards were announced June 27 during evening banquet at the National N Scale Convention in Sacramento, CA. Those attending the convention had the opportunity to vote for one assembled and decorated N scale vehicle model and one N scale vehicle model assembled from a kit. The winner in the assembled and decorated model category was the Rietze Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ambulance and the winner in the kit category was the N-Scale Kits Flexi-van auto carrier trailer.
Rietze Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ambulance
N-Scale Kits Flexi-van auto carrier trailer
In addition to the models selected by popular vote, the N Scale Vehicle Association awarded its first Excellence ‘N’ Innovation Award to Trainworx for the five tractor/trailers released in paint schemes from movies and television shows in which the truck was an essential element of the plot.
Outstanding New Tractor-Trailer Models From Trainworx
Pat Sanders of Trainworx has announced five new tractor-trailer models based on movies and TV shows shown above. Based on these photos these are going to be outstanding models and adds sorely need North American prototype variety to N scale layouts and collections! From top to bottom:
#59094 - Kenworth W900 with a 40-ft reefer decorated as the truck in Smokey and the Bandit
#55195 is a Peterbilt 281/351 with 33-ft tank trailer decorated as the truck in Duel
#51096 - Kenworth K100 with 40-ft reefer decorated as the truck in BJ and the Bear
#59097 - Kenworth W900 with 40-ft dry van decorated as the truck in Movin’ On
#57998 - Peterbilt 379 with 53-ft reefer decorated as the truck in Transformers (Optimus Prime)
The prototype Peterbilt 281/351 went into production around 1954 and the Peterbilt 379 was produced up until 2007. Pat should get a lot of mileage from these trucks! Pat also told us that if you like the photos, “wait ‘til you look under the hoods”. [posted 06/16/2015]
Introducing Proto Photo Files
We're proud to introduce a new feature to our web site, Proto Photo Files. You will find links to Proto Photo Files under our Resources link in the left column menu. Our first Proto Photo File subject is a Caterpillar crawler and logging arch very similar to our 2013 Model of The Year winner, the GHQ Models' pewter kit. Be sure and check it out! [posted 01/03/2014]
Photo Gallery 3
We are very pleased to present Photo Gallery 3. As we build our collection of extraordinary examples N scale vehicle modeling we ask you to send your photographic contributions to be included in our future Photo Galleries. Our feature photo above is from Markus Schiavo. Markus built this tow truck from a Wiking Mercedes-Benz L 10000 ten-wheeler. Check out the details in Photo Gallery 3. [posted 12/02/2013]
What We're Doing Here
We are working diligently to bring together the first world class resource for vehicle modelers in N scale! Our goal is to deliver to you informative and timely updates on the following:
- Industry News & Developments In Our Scale
- New Product Announcements
- Vehicle Of The Year Award Winners
- N Scale Resources
- Where To Buy
- How To Articles
- Photo Gallery
We are definitely a work in progress and have only begun our journey to building a world class resource for N scale vehicle modelers. We hope you become a participant and contributor to our web site and enjoy sharing the work of modelers from around the world.
Who We Are
N Scale Vehicle Association was formed to promote the modeling and collecting of 1:160 scale model vehicles. N scale is a model railroading scale that uses 9 mm gauge track, which is commonly referred to as N gauge. In North America and most of Europe, 1:160 scale model railroad equipment that represents standard gauge prototype equipment operates on 9 mm gauge track.
The first public activity of the N Scale Vehicle Association was the facilitation of the voting for the N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards at the National N Scale Convention* held in San Diego, California. In the years following the 2005 convention in San Diego, voting for the N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards has been an annual event at the conventions, and has grown in popularity with the manufacturers, as well as the modelers of N scale model railroad equipment.
Watch these pages as we progress! Check back often.
Contact: [email protected]
