Large Scale Central

Call for Prizes - "Miks Build Challenge 2015"

General Discussion
#1

Open call for donated prizes for “Miks Build Challenge 2015”

It’s almost time for the challenge to fire up. This years build challenge looks to be the biggest and best ever. As this is one of our clubs (LSC) big events of the year we can make it great amongst ourselves. With some new faces in the crowd this year, the level of competition should really raise the bar to an even higher level then in the past.

Here is Boomer receiving 2014’s Grand Prize. (Boomer ®, myself( L).

I will again ante up a wall size 16x20 (or larger) canvas print for the voted on Grand Prize, Plus a whole barrow of bragging rights. And a 11x14 print for 2nd place.

Several others have over the past year expressed that they too would like to contribute to the prize fund, and now is the time to step up.

There are several categories that could be sponsored such as best build log, most unique build, and etc. Or even create your own ( or sub ) category. If you sponsor or create a category, you, if you would like to, award the prize to the build, of your choice. Ideas like: Best Paint job, or worst paint job! Farthest out of the box! Almost got it finished, but didn’t make the deadline! Any donated prizes are the responsibly of the donor to get to the winner. Or if you would like, the prize just goes into the “Prize Pool” and will get awarded as I see fit.

I Lay Claim to the “ Spirit of Mik Award ”.

Now if someone steps up with a really grand prize like a live steam K37 all bets are off.

Miks build challenge Rule #1 governs all aspects of this event:

Rule #1:Remember this is a “Fun Build amongst Friends”

Post on this thread, or if you want to stay anonymous back channel me.

BTW: Donating a prize does NOT eliminate you from winning or competing. Awarding it to your self, on the other hand, is pretty cheap and tawdry, and will bring the rathe, fire and brimstone and Murphy’s ills’ wishes upon your first and second born, and probably your railroad also.

#2

Dave PM message sent

#3

As a newbie, I would like to dedicate an award to the rookie of the year (provided I am not the only one. . . the hell fire and brimstone thing ya know). I suggest that the award be voted on by the veteran builders of the MIK challenge. Newbies will have to declare themselves at the start of the competition and vets will award it to the best over all presentation of the project whatever they deem that to be. I don’t know what I will pony up for the prize but I am sure I an come up with something. Maybe a set of those custom turned PVC domes if someone wants them? I can work on the design with the winner. These are older baldwinesque I have a sheet of various styles of domes.

Devon

I realized when I made my offer that not everyone is a steam loco builder. So I will work with the winner on a turned project of their choosing within my humble limitations.

#4

This challenge is only getting better every day! The guys on this site are simply the best- Anywhere. Hands Down Great.

The Prize pool for 2015: In no particular order.

Vic Smith; Upland Trains resin building Best Napkin Drawing.

Dave Taylor; 16x20 Custom Canvas Print Grand prize Award. (your photo or mine)

Tony (from down under) Walsham; an ESC worth say A$80 (Details to be worked out.)

Peter Lucas, MyLocoSound; a large scale steam soundcard.

Stan Cedarleaf, Cedarleaf Custom Railroad Decals**; $25 Gift Certificate.**

Dave Taylor; 11x14 Custom Canvas Print 2nd Place Award. (your photo or mine)

Boomer K. Set of 18 custom crates. Best use of a Round thing.

Devon Sinsley; A Custom turning. Best 1st timers build.

Dave Taylor; Mystery box. Spirit of Mik Award. It would even make Mik smile.

Dennis Rayon; Custom built Rustic Building. 1st Timers award.

Travis Dague; Bundle of strip wood General prize pool.

Cale Nelson; 2 Fn3 Boxcar kits. Best Fn3 (1:20.3) Build.

Ken Bianco, Trainworld**; TRAINWORLD $25 Gift Certificate.**

  • In talks with an well known retailer. We’ll see what happens.
#5

How long can I claim to be a newbie, so I might win something! This will be my third challenge!

#6

Hey Dave, what classifies a “Newbie”? New to this site within the last year or new to the Mik challenge (first time entering the challenge).

#7

Boomer, Boomer, Boomer, Every time we’ve ever met you looked just like that. So maybe it is you. BTW: you will love this years challenge, but as defending champion, everyone is out to take the honor away from ya, Todd really wants it bad. And the little River boys think that they will be a shoe in.

#8

As the one who came up with the category my intention was first time MIK challenge builders. Dave as Grand Pooba is that acceptable? I defer to you.

(and Chuck if you really need something turned let me know. . . since were neighbors I think we can make a trade. I will need a layout to run my new train on this spring)

#9

Boomer, define round. Are we talking round as in spherical or round as in cylindrical? Either? Both?

Not being a nit picker, just don’t want to go off in the wrong direction.

#10

I was just thinking… We need a trophy that can be passed from winner to winner through the years. I’m thinking the trophy could be a golden rail spike.
The catagory for such a trophy could be for “best runner up” “miss congeniality” etc…
Maybe the trophy could be for the build that didn’t quite come together but the builder showed great spirit in his attempt?
Just thinking…

#11

Devon, Your Prize, Your Category, Your Rules. Remember Rule #1, in your decision. And as for a touch of sage advice, If Ray Dunakin were to enter, he would fall into this category also. ( not to pick on Ray)

#12

In an effort to be inclusive as opposed to exclusive lets make it your first or second attempt in the MIK challenge build. Or if it has been awhile since you have entered. This is a friendly group and I am not one for strict rules. In keeping with the hellfire and brimstone mentality, I would say that it is an honor system. If you believe yourself to be a rookie builder then at the beginning of the challenge declare yourself as such and your in. If this is your 32 entry and you have won the grand prize 7 times then likely your not a rookie. If you have entered once or twice before or it has been five or six years since your last attempt then by all means your a rookie. I don’t believe it will be an issue.

The intent is to award “newbies” by whatever your personal definition of that word is. Just make it known at the start.

Fair enough?

#13

a little self promotion from the builder will help a lot.

Does hey look at my round thing work. . .

#14

Todd Haskins said:

I was just thinking… We need a trophy that can be passed from winner to winner through the years. I’m thinking the trophy could be a golden rail spike.
The catagory for such a trophy could be for “best runner up” “miss congeniality” etc…
Maybe the trophy could be for the build that didn’t quite come together but the builder showed great spirit in his attempt?
Just thinking…

Todd, you were thinking… did it hurt?

Now for my second cup of coffee… :wink:

#15

Krispy Kream would be proud…

#16

Not…

The Doughnie?

#17

Devon, since I entered the challenge last year, and I have written articles for other sites. I declare that I am not a newbie.

But if you like my work, whatever the project/challenge is, I would not refuse your award.

:wink:

#18

David Maynard said:

Devon, since I entered the challenge last year, and I have written articles for other sites. I declare that I am not a newbie.

But if you like my work, whatever the project/challenge is, I would not refuse your award.

:wink:

I am hoping that I can convince the veteran builders to judge the rookie competition. Seems fitting. But if I do do it I would consider only one previous entry as qualifying as a “newb.” And just because you can write doesn’t’ necessarily mean you can build. . . just sayin’ So I would say you qualify. But I will let everyone’s conscience be their guide. I mean who are you going to fool. People either know your a newbie or your not and you will have to answer in the court of public opinion if you declare yourself a rookie and your really a veteran.Besides I doubt the vets would vote for you if they know your not a rookie anyway.

To clarify: my idea was that a “rookie” is new to the MIK builders challenge. Not new to the hobby, not new to the sight, or even a new scratch builder. If you have been a member of this site and in the hobby as a scratch builder for the last 20 years I still would call you a rookie in this challenge if you never entered before.

If I understand anything about this competition is that its very nature helps level the playing field. You maybe able to spend thousands and build a brass museum piece but can you build a loco out of a toilet paper roll for under $25.

So I am leaving it to your own discretion. When the starting gun is fired begin your build log with " I am a rookie" and don’t forget “hey here is my round thing”. I will look over the build logs and tally the Newbie list. And then make it available to the veterans to vote on.

Sound fair?

#19

I will donate a redwood structure with a RUSTY Metal roof. This structure will be made to stay outside all the time if desired.
Ibuild structures rustic and made to be permanantly outside all the time if desired.
I will send the structure to the person in charge and he can determine what catagory it goes for.
let me know when and where it goes too.
Dennis

#20

Oh Dennis,

There are a lot of cool prizes showing up, but I have followed your cliff hanger build here and abroad and love them. A custom Rayon cliff hanger would make it on my indoor static display should I be the lucky recipient. Of course that is if you make it a cliff hanger. If not i will have to figure out a place for it. Maybe a Rayon outhouse???