T-Jack's scratchbuilding challenge- for the daring only!

[tangerine-jack]

Ok, I am issuing an official challenge to all Model Railroaders to construct a small watchman style shanty from scratch. Here are the rules:

1. Can be any scale you decide or model in.
2. Must be no larger than a scale 8ft square (64 square feet) and have at least one door and one window
3. The only authorized materials are 3x5 index cards and aluminum can, plus glue and paint.
4. Store-bought material except for paint and glue is forbidden. This includes door and window castings, Evergreen styrene or brass shapes.
5. Post the photo of your completed structure by 20 Jan on this forum.
6. After 20 January put the structure on your layout and brag about it.


I’ll have my entry done, will you? Let’s see who is up to the challenge. There are no prizes, so build to the best of your ability and don’t worry what anybody thinks.

Oh yes, Bob Bordreau is automatically not eligible- he’s got nothing to prove.

[selector]

Exclude me out.

[ICRR1964]

A challenge huh? Does it matter how bad it looks T-jack? I'll try and get it done to the rules, but this is not my cup of tea, but I will give it a shot!

[tangerine-jack]

WHOA! I'm not claiming to judge anybody, perhaps my wording was not taken as I meant it to be, always a problem in print. I was trying to spark a good natured challenge, something simple to break the winter blues. If anyone does not participate, then I for one will not label them as anything derogatory.

No, it dosen't matter how bad it looks! The idea is to challenge your creativity, not your skills.

[warner brook]

good afternoon
t-j must be or should be a politician he sure did the old back pedal bit real quick.

[tangerine-jack]

Politics? Hmmm, not a bad idea, but I did just edit the challenge and I do issue an apology for it's original wording. I think I became a victim of the "think before you post syndrome"

So, with that misfire cleared, I bet mine is the worst entry of all! I know I sure can't scratchbuild for poop, but it would be fun to try on a little building.

[Anonymous]

Is that all????

3X5 Index cards???

What are we allowed for bracing as soon as you paint it its going to warp. 8 Square feet??? thats 2 ft X4 ft. little cramped don't you think? Most out houses I know are bigger.

In the end, This isn't challenging eneugh. I can have what you propose finished in half an hour.

James.

[tangerine-jack]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Student of Big Sky Blue

Is that all????

3X5 Index cards???

What are we allowed for bracing as soon as you paint it its going to warp. 8 Square feet??? thats 2 ft X4 ft. little cramped don't you think? Most out houses I know are bigger.

In the end, This isn't challenging eneugh. I can have what you propose finished in half an hour.

James.

You are allowed 3x5 index cards only and one aluminum can. To clarify, that is 64 square feet, 8 foot on a side.

It wouldn't be a CHALLENGE if it were easy![;)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tangerine-jack
You are allowed 3x5 index cards only and one aluminum can. To clarify, that is 64 square feet, 8 foot on a side.

It wouldn't be a CHALLENGE if it were easy![;)]

OK now that I go back and read it says 8 foot square. Yes that is a bit more manageble on the size. Still pretty easy. And can still have it done in a half hour.

THen if I took time to to cut out trim and stuff. Still have it done with in a Day.

Thanks for giving me something to do tomorrow.

James.

[Anonymous]

You're not the boss of me!



Bob Woodrow

[waltersrails]

i agree icmr1964 and fundynorthern

[tangerine-jack]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FundyNorthern

You're not the boss of me!



Bob Woodrow

[bow][bow] ommmm ommmm ommmm...................

Sigh, maybe someday I can aspire to such greatness, but until then I'll keep on chugging away at my humble and insignificant efforts.

Did I mention you are my personal model railroad hero? Greater than Furlow, greater than Olsen! Greater than...........well you get the picture.

[ICRR1964]

I can almost smell the garbage in the trash can FundyN, thats really nice looking.

[Anonymous]

Well the train show is in town (Plano) this weekend so maybe I can do it during the week. I love scratchbuilding....I suck...but I love it.

[timthechef]

I may just have to give this a try! It sounds like a great challenge. If we het enough participents maybe Model Railroader will pick it up and put it in the mag a few months down the road!

[Anonymous]

is there a penalty for unilaterally adjusting the rules?

[JohnT14808]

Hmmmmm.....Boy...I kinda wish Bob hadn't put that photo out there. That's a good lookin' shanty. Now I can't think of any other shape but that one......maybe I'll go two storied.....

[tangerine-jack]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rick bonfiglio

is there a penalty for unilaterally adjusting the rules?

No, I guess not. If everyone agrees it's ok with me. I'm just trying to keep it as much in the creativity realm as I can, you know, trying to separate what can be store bought from what real talent and imagination can produce. What's in your head? That's what this is about. You got a bunch of index cards and an aluminum can- make a shanty, zero budget, everyone equal.

I suck at scratchbuilding too, but if we never pu***he envelope, then we never know how far we can go.

[Anonymous]

hey Jack,

One quiestion really quick. I have no way to post a picture and I am not about to sign up for one of those photo bucket things. Can I just email them to you and have you post them?

James

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JohnT14808

Hmmmmm.....Boy...I kinda wish Bob hadn't put that photo out there. That's a good lookin' shanty. Now I can't think of any other shape but that one......maybe I'll go two storied.....

FYI the shanty model in my photo was made ages ago, was mounted on a diorama then recycled into my latest pair of modules. It was scratchbuilt using plans in a Model Railroader softcover book that came out decades ago, I don't recall the title and I've got so many books it would take me some time to find it.

I just posted the photo as an inspiration!

Bob Boudreau

[jeffers_mz]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FundyNorthern

You're not the boss of me!



Bob Woodrow

We're sorry, your structure scales out to 12 by 6 feet from the six foot man in your included photo, 72 square feet, 8 over the alotted 64. For this crime, we are penalizing by the square foot, you are hereby assessed one spur end bumper and a realistic junkpile. We also accept major credit cards.

(Not a bad effort tho, not bad at all.;-)

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeffers_mz
[
We're sorry, your structure scales out to 12 by 6 feet from the six foot man in your included photo,

Assumptions! Ha! He's not six feet tall, he's a "little person", only 4 feet tall!

So there!

BB

[ereimer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FundyNorthern

You're not the boss of me!



Bob Woodrow

we have a mystery here ... who the heck is Bob Woodrow ? FundyNorthern's real name is Bob Boudreau

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ereimer
[we have a mystery here ... who the heck is Bob Woodrow ? FundyNorthern's real name is Bob Boudreau

I've been called this and many other misspellings too!

Bob Boudrot

[Anonymous]

I think ill try and scratch something together...[:D]

[Eddie_walters]

OK, so it doesn't match any of the rules, other than being scratchbuilt, but this is my project that I started yesterday:

[Anonymous]

Well the cheating has begun! Quick someone E-Mail me an aluminum can!!!
Will

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: One quiestion really quick. I have no way to post a picture and I am not about to sign up for one of those photo bucket things. Can I just email them to you and have you post them?

James

If you want to e-mail it to me I will host it for you. I have about 6 gig of storage on my domain. I can e-mail you a link to use to post your picture. Just make sure and put something about railroading in the subject or it may not get past my spam blocker. [e-mail]

[rrandb]

How is the best way to attach the square card to the round can?? Is solder allowed when joining the ends of the can or can I spot weld them?? I may be over engineering this house./shanty I mean. I am so far behind I may never catch up!!! [D)] as always ENJOY

[timthechef]

I just want to get this back to the first page so we get more interest!