In Memorial to Allan Bupp,
aka: Mik, Mik just Mik.
Founder of the challenges. Train Guy, Builder, Scrounger, Steam Guy, and friend to all.
We miss ya buddy!
MIK’s Build Challenge 2026
Let the fun begin.
All aspects governing the Challenge are to be applied under
Mik’s build challenge Rule #1
Rule #1: Remember this is a “Fun Build Amongst Friends”
The 2026 challenge is a tribute to LSC’s own Alan Bupp.
A time to overcome the doldrums of January and a long winter
to wait till we can get back to running trains.
The 2026 17th Annual Mik’s Build challenge shall be:
“ A.W.N.U.T.S. Whimsical ”
( Always Whimsical Not Usually To Scale )
With a throw back to 2015… Anything outside the norm your mind can dream up…!!
Build what ever you would like that is not quite normal or different…!
This would include most ANYTHING your goofy brain could think up… It doesn’t have to run on track ( but fit somehow on your pike…) like a side building, station house, car, bus, horse drawn whatever… let you mind go wild…
Steam Punk fits nicely into this years doings…
There is no size restrictions this year.
Any Size, Any Shape, Whatever you want to build .
You will have 30 build days,
and a Max budget of $35.00 [ or your currency equivalent ] ( still trying to keep it cheep and in the spirit of Mik)
The Final Build can be any size or shape that you want, of anything that meets your fancy. You may use anything or materials that you have on hand as of 1 Jan. 2026, without it costing against the $35.00 total.
TIME LINE:
Jan 1 thru Jan 9th, Sign up. You can start planning, drawing (napkins included), gathering up your supplies, but NO CUTTING or BUILDING! Pondering with adult beverages is permitted!
Before Jan 10th, Build Logs to be posted in Annual Build Challenge forum on LSC. Please post your Napkins drawings with your first posting.
Jan 10th, 0001hr, Actual construction begins.
Jan 10th thru Feb 8th, up-dates to your build log posted.
Feb 8th, 2400hr building ends (extended to local sunrise on the 9th if you must put in an all nighter to finish).
Feb 15th thru 22th, Posting “Glamor” pictures to the “Official Finished “ forum post [ I will start ] for judging. Also post your total “out of pocket” cost, and any other descriptives you would like.
Feb 23st thru 28th, Voting on the “Official Vote “ forum post [ I will start ] for judging. Also Again this year, you may vote by e-mailing me your vote if you would like to keep it secret. [email protected]
Mar 1st, Winners announced.
RESTRICTIONS:
#1 Actual building starts on JAN 10th and Ends on Feb 8th. That gives you 5 weekends to get it done.
#2 For the 2026 challenge, you must start a “NEW PROJECT”. This challenge excludes anything that you may have started previously to the Jan 1, 2026 starting date.
#3 You may use a part of an existing Car or such you already have on hand, that you will modify into your new creation ie: Convert a flat car into a Flying Circus Wagon, or a Land Submarine … You get the Idea. Please post a before photo of what your starting with.
#4. Re-Painting an old Boxcar doesn’t really fit the challenge. But converting a Gondola to a Beach sand buggy does fit.
#5 $35 (US$ or your local equal) is the max you can spend on materials, paints, glue , etc. If you buy a bottle of ink and use two drops, don’t worry about it, if you use the whole bottle, count it. If you have to use 2 inches of a 36 inch piece of brass, because thats the shortest length they sell, figure the cost as 1/18th, you get the picture!
Any and all rail trucks, Wheel sets, and couplers…. Do Not Count against your $35.00 limit!
#6 Any item that you already have in your hands as of 1 Jan 2026, does not count towards the limit. Any “Free” item you can procure, is free. This is on the honor system guys. Refer to rule #1
#7 All contestants MUST post a “Build Log” in the Annual Build Challenge forum section of LSC. You have to declare your intentions of what you will attempt to build in the initial post. Post your napkin (drawings) with your first post. You can change it if you want to, but you must post it. NO phantom builds to pop up on the last day! Progress posts ( preferably with pics ) need to be made often.
Showing and discussing some unique building technique is always a good thing.
Recommended Build Challenge forum Title “Dave’s Goofy 2026 challenge log”. Something along those lines so every one will know, and be able to follow along.
#8 If you will be using an 3D printer or a Laser Cutter, or any other CAD type construction assistance for parts and pieces, Please wait till the building start date ( Jan 10th ) before starting to create any cutting or CAD, or printing files that you will be using for your build. If you buy a file to create a part or piece, add that cost to your total build cost.
If you choose to participate in Mik’s Build Challenge 2026,
Post a reply to this thread.
The Prize pool for 2026: I will award a special prize to who I think builds the wildest, out there coolest thing!
For the historical record these have been the Challenge categories:
2025: Rolls On Rails.
2024: Line Side Business.
2023: Downtown.
2022: ROW, Right Of Way
2021: Tin Can.
2020: Chimney Kit.
2019: 10 year redo: “Build Whatever You Want”
2018: 2x4
2017: Quarry cut stones.
2016: Roof panels = 800Sq Ft.
2015: 16’ Flat car, Whimsical theme.
2014: Door
2013: Gondola Kit, or a building.
2012: Finish something you already started.
2011: Build something! Up to 288 Sq In base.
2010: Unk. Category ( build whatever you want )
Happy New Year!
& Great Building!!
