I will open my voting with a bit of thought. I have very mixed feelings on the use of 3D printed items, or at least unlimited use, in the MIK Challenge. Cliff commented the he only used about 50 cents worth of resin, and yet his build is near half printed. The original intent of the Challenge was to use what you have or can trade for plus $30.00 max. For someone who does not own a 3D printer, that puts them at a severe disadvantage, in that the printer owner has a ‘limitless’ junk box based on what he can print. I don’t have any issues with printing, I just question is the unlimited use a violation of the Challenge intent. Therefore my choices will be biased away from the ‘techno’ modelers.
Craig’s station is fantastic, and will be a great addition to his railroad. Boarded windows depicting the ‘end of life’ of the station was an interesting twist.
Tim’s Platform and Tower addition is hot mess of existing and new structure along with a gaggle of folks cluttering the platform. Definitely a good use of a small space.
The Mueller clan has done their usual wonderful job of combining creativity, family time and model railroading. In the usual ‘low bucks’ financial model, the Mueller clan has as with almost all of their builds kept the ‘Spirit of MIK’.
Cliff’s flat car/crane with load is a fantastic model worthy of a ribbon at an ECLSTS competition. The attention to detail is his usual over the top craftsmansip. It is difficult to see, is there real wood in there?
Not sure it is the look he was after, but Devon’s sand house and tower show all the appearance of what would be on a back woods logging or mining operaton. Hastily constructed to meet the need and maintained as little as possible. Nice job Devon.
Rick Marty has done another fine model with lots of detail. In the spirit of the logging line he models and in the ‘Spirit of MIK’
Jon Radder’s telegraph station has all the earmarks of a scrapbox build. Small but functional. I just wonder where the smokejack from the Napkin Sketch is?
Todd H. built another sand house, his showing ownership by a more prosperous railroad than Devon’s. As Devon mentioned the use of the veggie can definitely puts it in the MIK frame of mind.
Dan’s backwoods station is a well done model, if a bit too techno for me as a MIK build. Mastering new skills is always a good thing. Brickwork is always a challenge to get the color and weathering right.
Dave T’s trestle is another of his fine builds showing how he left lots of building material on the floor making all that timber. Nicely done Dave.
Noe for my votes.
#1 - Team Mueller - Best of show for the Spirit of MIK
#2 - Jon Radder - Absolutely a scrap box build
#3 - Devon Sinsley - I just like his backwoods feel
