HMA —Hobby Manufacturers Association
Model Railroad Division - Bobbye Hall Award

The purpose of the Bobbye Hall Distinguished Service Award is to recognize an individual or organization for their service in the Model Railroad Industry.

The award is given annually in memory of Ms. Bobbye Hall who served the Model Railroad Industry in many capacities during her long career. Her most distinguishing characteristic is that she was always willing to help, but never asked for anything in return. It is that same spirit that we wish to capture with this award.

The nominees must meet the following criteria.

• Anyone that serves in the Model Railroad Industry is eligible for this award. The nominee can be a retailer, manufacturer, hobbyist, distributor, model railroad club, model railroad builder, or publication producer.
• The recipient will demonstrate the same characteristics as Ms. Hall through their unselfish dedication and compassion for the model railroad industry. This may be shown by their contributions to the industry, expenditure of personal time, or inspirational support.

Model Railroad Division - Bobbye Hall Award Winners

2010 Bobbye Hall Award Winners

2010 Recipient - John Tews
The 2010 Bobbye Hall award for distinguished service to the model railroad industry was presented to John Tews who is currently the general manager of the Trainfest consumer show in Milwaukee held every November. Under John’s direction over the past 19 years, Trainfest has grown in attendance with over 22,000 model railroad enthusiasts attending the show each year.

John is also the Emeritus Director of the East Troy Railroad Museum and received the NMRA Certificate of Achievement award as an Association Official and Association Volunteer as well as the Master Model Railroader award May, 2002. John was a member
of the Board of Directors of the WISE Division of NMRA and a WISE Division Superintendent for 5 years in the early 1990’s.

John attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering and Valparaiso University for Civil Engineering. He worked for several years as a civil engineer for the Chicago and Northwestern Railway in Butler, WI as well as a Construction Project Manager for Wisconsin Electric Power Company from where he retired in 2006.

“John has worked extremely hard to make Trainfest a premier show in the model railroad industry and we thank him for his service and cooperation with the HMA MRID,” stated Gary Kamin, co-chair of the Awards Committee.

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2009 Bobbye Hall Award Winners

Aubrey Olson of Caboose Industries was recognized for his continued support of all the model railroad industry trade and consumer shows and the positive attitude he has shown to hobby consumers and train enthusiasts.

Dave Swanson, founder of the World’s Greatest Hobby Shows, was recognized for his outstanding efforts in bringing model trains to new consumers. In 2004, Dave founded the World’s Greatest Hobby Shows, a model railroad industry consumer show designed to introduce people to the wonderful hobby of model railroading. To date over 462,000 people have attended the shows in different cities throughout America. Dave was credited for his marketing and promotional efforts to bring these shows to people who have never experienced the hobby before.

2008 Winners

Fred Hill, who knew Bobbye Hall, is a model railroad retailer (The Original Whistle Stop) and manufacturer (The Coach Yard/Thin Film) in California. He has served in leadership positions in MRIA, the National Retail Hobby Stores Association, and HMA, most recently as chair of the Show Committee.

Fred Hamilton, former Executive Director of the Model Railroad Industry Association (now HMA-MRID), began his career in railroading with Kalmbach Publishing/Model Railroader magazine for 20 years. He served in leadership capacities with MRIA's Board of Trustees before becoming its executive director.