Anyone thinking of entering the new Walthers (quote) Build-Off (end quote) competition?

I have been reading the rules and requirements on the Walthers website. Four classes of entry: youth, youth group, adult, adult group. You purchase a prepackaged selection of kits from Walthers (they give choices for each class of entry but not much detail about what is in each package) and then use all of it in a module. Different sizes of module compared to category of entry. There are cash prizes, fairly generous. Judging is based on photos (they post what they will require) but there is also a people’s choice award based I gather on social media reaction.

On the one hand some of the rules seem too fussy and the time line for completion (May 15) seems tight. But a friend who works at Walthers says that the discount being given on what is in the package is considerable so even if you buy the package and then forego the contest you might come out ahead IF the package has stuff you want and need. That is what makes the ambiguity about what is in them somewhat frustrating. They show photos but too grainy to make out what all the kits are; no list.

I have not yet made up my mind but time is running out to order and have any hope of having a 2’ x 4’ module (adult individual) done and photographed by mid May.

Dave Nelson

Thanks a lot for posting this, I wouldn’t know about this for a while (until I got my next Flyer). I’m probably going to enter with my friend (a very talented and creative modeler) in the 14 and under catigory (just barely made the cut).

The Contest

I have too many unfinished projects. I liked the idea of the MRVP kitbashing challenge, which really wasn’t a contest using one specific kit.

It seems more of a marketing ploy to me.

Click on any purchase kit and you see exactly what is in the kit, there is no ambiguity.

Hi everyone, if you check out the contest via the home page, just click on any of the photos and you can get a larger image, plus a list of what kits are included.

Your friends at Walthers

Interesting, but, not for me. I really don’t need any of the kits in the Adult Individiual, time line isn’t too bad, I could get it done before the outside hobby and construction “season” begins.

I have no use for the module, once finished, and wouldn’t know what to do with it.

Now the MRVP sounds interesting, but I suppose you have to subscribe to MRVP to enter, or see what it’s all about.

My “extra curricular activities” on MR is the Digital Archives. That’s all I need.

Mike.

PS. Thank you Milw. Trains!

They took the Walthers State Line Farm Supply kit as a basis for a kitbash. Everyone from MR and MRVP including Kathy Millat and Jenny turned it into something else a brew pub, a 2 story structure, a car dealer, an orange processor. a few readers sent in pictures of their creations. It was interesting to see everyone’s take on the project. It wasn’t really a contest.

Has this contest been held before? I went online to view previous winners but couldn’t find anything.

I got back into the hobby in late 2015 and I never saw it before yesterday.

There is at least one youtube site, Rons trains N things that holds a weathering contest. Prizes are much more modest.

I think I will pass on this contest.

Since this is strictly an HO contest, I’m not interested.

Paul

Just as a side note, Masonite is no longer available (there are similar products). Kind of weird they would ask for that.

It’s availiabilty must be a regional thing. Still in all usual places here in the midwest.

Although, there are other brands of hardboard.

Mike.

Masonite makes doors now, maybe it’s like IBM selling off the computer business. Neither Lowes nor Home Depot show a Masonite brand hardboard.

The term is like kleenex. No one asks you to hand them a facial tissue, or to quote a Supreme Court justice; “I know it when I see it” although I think he was talking about movies.[}:)]

I guess maybe I’ll retract my earlier statement. Everything I found at the usual places doesn’t call it Masonite.

Just hardboard.

Mike.

But Henry is right. It’s become a generic name for hardboard, or whatever you call it.

If you go into a lumber yard or Menards and ask for Masonite, they know exactly what you mean.

I was surprised that the Masonite company no longer makes it.

Ball doesn’t make Ball jars. They’re build satellites now, but they still license the logo to jar companies because everyone knows what a Ball jar is.

Hi guys

No entry rules forbid it.

But I am annoyed that the contents of the various packages is not crystal clear.

Particularly since they seem to have a good price tag on them.

regards John

Hi John, just click through to the product links for larger photos and a complete list of what’s included in each package.

Your friends at Walthers

it is technically call MDF. Medium density fiberboard. Masonite and hard board (they are brand names) are recognized because most are familiar with the brand name.

Masonite is a registered trademark of the Masonite Corp., a “wet process” board product, invented in 1924. ( I’ve been reading up. [(-D]) and much more dense that HDF or MDF, which are “dry processed”.

The Masonit Corp. now uses the name DURON for it’s hard board products, which I also found out is typically what the lumber stores sell.

For whatever all this is worth. [%-)]

Moving on!

Excuse me, I need to grap some kleenex, I just sneezed all over my masonite. [*-)]

Mike.