Hello gang. It has been a while, 2 years I think, since we had our last “Builders Challenge”. For those of you who have not seen or heard of a Builders Challenge, here is how it works:
Rules: We argue over the rules for a week or two, before we all agree, but they usually go something like:
Must be primarily salvaged raw material, preferably from someone else’s trashcan. 2. Glues, nails, screws, paint are normally allowed to be purchased or off the work shelf. 3. Nothing, or very little, from your “spare parts bin” (a.k.a. Junk Drawer). 4. Subject of construction: Something RR related. 5. We normally set a completion date about two months out. 6. Pictures of the raw material must be posted along with the photo of completed project.
Prize: None, other than bragging rights, and something new for your GRR. In other words, everybody wins.
As an example, one year I took a broken redwood wine bottle rack from my neighbors trash can and built a coal tipple.
I would guess so, so long as it ends up looking like something entirely different, old building looking like new mine = OK, Old store front looks like new store front, Not OK.
I’m in. We need a theme. Last time it was whimsical munincipal MOW vehicles. We had a Wallace and Grommet vehicle, a Dalek exterminator, rocket powered thingies and such. What will it be this time? Track side structures? Stations, manufacturers, commodities, rolling stock or locos? To be completed by??? 4th july? Since the challenger set the parameters for budget, I agree to that.
Let’s hammer out the basic rules (fewer the better) and let the best TJ win!
Here is the link to the last build off. Man, that was fun!:
Recycled materials, accompanied by photograph of the neighbors trash can where obtained (if possible).
Construction materials allowed from “supply/parts/junk bins” to be limited to paint, nails, glue, screws, wheel sets (if you build a piece of rolling stock.)
Photos of project must be posted not later than noon local time 4 July 2009. Photos to include acquisition of raw recycled materials, a few construction shots, and at least three shots of finished project from different angles.
Now for the hard part, do we build 1) a structure for our towns or business district? 2) a piece of rolling stock? 3) a track side structure (serviced by or owned by the railroad)? 4) Ghost town/abandoned structure.
I’m thinking along the lines of an abandoned structure, or a non track side business. I am open to a piece of rolling stock as I do have some wheel sets purchased over three years ago.
I would expect that we would build something not related to the last build off, so a structure of some kind is my thinking. Something that would serve a purpose on the layout that the builder can use on a daily basis, so I’m thinking a passanger station or rail served business.
If you think you’re going to get it that easy, you are sorely mistaken sir.
This past weekend I acquired about 30 foot of 25-year-old redwood fence. The paint has worn away by about 30%, so what ever I build will already have a dilapidated paint job. Now my only problem is “DA BOSS”, for some strange reason she does not appreciate my collection of used wood.
Perhaps this should be posted over on the general discussion forum. It should ignite more interest and get more forum members involved with the build off.
Howdy TJ, Hope you’re correct, but than maybe the people who want everything RTR don’t care to go to this part of the forum. Having support in a hobby is one thing; having EVERYTHING one could ever want dumped on the market is another. Let’s give creativity a break. I’d rather see a railroad built by a guy with dirty hands.
Don’t worry about T.J. He has been putting up with me for a few years now. He is fun to “putz” with. If you read back a couple of years ago we had some grand fun with the war of the “Robber Barons.” You do need to be prepared to be “putzed” with any time you mess with T.J. and the “Floating Capt.”
I just finished two trolley stops made from recycled redwood fence boards. Is it too late to enter? They were pretty simple. A scale 56 feet long by ten feet wide. It sits on 3 foot tall feet and feature canopies made of gutter flashing. I’ve installed a light in each one. Pictures on request, as I have no idea how to put them up on this board.
Triggy, don’t worry about Rob. A multitude of years ago he served in the “bathtub navy”; he knows how to putz around! We’ve had some e-conversations about the time when he was stationed here in Slower Lower Delaware; and believe me in those days it was slower!
Dick: Pictures are REQUIRED. The easy way of doing that is: Open an account over at “Phobucket dot com”, It is FREE, which is good. Post your picture there, then when you are looking at your photo, there are 4 links to your photo listed in the data area, just copy the bottom link and past it into the text editing box on this site.
