Capture the power, history, and beauty of the rails! We invite all attendees to submit their best shots for a chance to win.
Submission Categories
Participants will compete in one of two categories based on their age:
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Youth: Ages 18 and under.
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Adult: Ages 19 and older.
Submission Guidelines
To ensure your entries are judged fairly, please follow these requirements:
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Quantity: You may submit a maximum of three (3) photos per person.
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Format: All files must be in high-resolution JPG format.
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Method: Email your entries to railfansummit@trainaficionado.com
What to Include in Your Email
Please use the subject line: 2026 Photo Contest – [Your Name]. In the body of the email, include:
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Your Full Name
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Phone Number
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Your Category: (Youth or Adult)
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Brief Descriptions: A short caption for each photo (e.g., location, locomotive, or the story behind the shot).
Judging & Awards
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Live Gallery: Submitted photos will be displayed and evaluated by our panel of expert judges during the summit on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
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The Big Reveal: Winners will be announced at the conclusion of the event.
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Prizes: A Grand Prize will be awarded to the top photographer in both the Youth and Adult categories!
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Attendance: We strongly encourage all participants to be present for the presentation to claim their bragging rights (and prizes) in person!
Contest Terms
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Original Work: All photos must be taken by the person submitting them.
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Deadline: All entries must be received by midnight Friday, May 8, 2026.
- Editing & Post-Processing: Basic color correction, sharpening, and cropping are allowed.
- Prohibited: Photos with heavy digital manipulation (adding or removing elements that weren’t there), watermarks, or text overlays will be disqualified to ensure a fair playing field.
- Timeframe of Photos: Photos must have been taken within the last 36 months (May 2023 – May 2026) to ensure the content reflects current railroading or recent restoration efforts.
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Usage Rights: Photographers retain all copyrights to their images. However, by entering, you grant the Cincinnati Railroad Club permission to display the photos during the event and on our social media/website for promotional purposes (with proper credit given to you).
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Tie-Breakers: In the event of a tie, the lead judge of the panel will make the final casting vote.
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Disqualification: Any entry that depicts unsafe behavior (e.g., walking on tracks, climbing on active equipment) will be disqualified immediately without notice.
