The Modeler's Forum

Modeler Forum
Winter Challenge 2024

Purpose - Modelers share their techniques and ideas as they model a railroad themed diorama. It is through the sharing of ideas others can learn both innovative and time proven methods of construction for our great hobby.

Time frame -  All submitted build threads must be completed by March 23, 2025. Judging will be completed the following week and winners announced at that time via the Forum. Winners will also receive an e-mail along with instructions on how to receive their winning prize.

Prizes! -  New to the Winter Challenge the Forum will be providing three prizes for the winning submissions. They consist of the following:

1st Place: Oddmunn Brother's Mill (the big limited edition kit) - $360 value
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/thumb_785-161124084908-53082218.jpeg) (https://modelersforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=53083)

2nd Place:  Tower Six at Carter's Crossing & The Scrap Merchants Place - $140 value
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/thumb_785-161124084913-530831857.jpeg) (https://modelersforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=53084)(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/thumb_785-161124085024.jpeg) (https://modelersforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=53086)

3rd Place:  The Old Boiler House - $39 value
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/thumb_785-161124084859-530811870.jpeg) (https://modelersforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=53082)

Prizes were produced by fellow member and super modeler Craig Rusty of 'Keep It Rusty' Ltd.. We hope they increase interest in the Winter Challenge as well as the Modelers Forum itself. This non profit site is a learning resource helping hobbyists learn from others to become more proficient model builders. It contains information along with photos from hundreds of hobbyists from at least the last twenty years.

Rules :

• All dioramas must be no more then 12 x 24 inches in size (30.5cm x 61cm). They must be modeled in a standard gauge such as N, HO, or O. Narrow Gauge sizes are of course allowed!li]
  
  • The diorama must be built during the time of the contest by the participant themselves.
  • At least one structure must be part of the diorama scene. It may be built from a kit or scratch built. Extra credit is given for scratch built structures.
  • All build threads are to be posted in the new 2024-2025 Winter Challenge Topic located on the Forum. Extra credit is given to detailed build threads. Further, posting must be limited to only this Forum during the time of the contest to help promote the Modelers Forum during this time. Simply have friends visit the site to show off your work in progress. You can use links as needed to point them to our site.
  
  Judging:
  
  We have three certified Master Modeler Railroader's of the NMRA who all previously judged at the national level of the NMRA acting as judges for this contest, Bob Hamm, Carl Smeigh and Mike Evens have graciously donated their time for this contest.
  
  The criteria that will be used for judging is a combined version of the 'Structure' and 'Scenery' contest forms used by the NMRA for contests with the addition of a new section called Thread Description. A copy of the form is attached to be used as reference as you build your thread. A total of 175 points will be achievable with the highest point count being declared the winner, second and third place will be the next two highest point counts. The Build Thread Section is worth 50 points to reward clear and helpful building technique sharing.
  
  (https://modelersforum.com/gallery/thumb_785-161124085827.jpeg) (https://modelersforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=53087)
  
  As this is a thread contest instead of your typical on site contest the judges will be reviewing what you write in your thread in place of you filling out the Judging Form.  Use the shown form as a guide to ensure you address all the things the judges will be looking to see accomplished as you write your building thread.
  
  You can contact the moderator of the contest Jim Donovan at cirrusmisty@gmail.com (mailto:cirrusmisty@gmail.com) if you have questions. You can reach him either directly or through the Forum's internal mail system.
  
  Not only participate but recommend the Challenge to your modeling buddies and have them join in the fun!

Can I enter something built on the layout, or does it have to be a free-standing diorama?

dave

It can be part of your layout but you need to block out the area that is part of the contest so that it is known to be under the 12 x 24 limit.

Thanks!

Hi.

Just to check.  Is the size an area allowance or a perimeter restriction?  So - could one build a diorama 4 foot long and half a foot wide?  Or 15" square?  Or an odd shape, so long as the area is under 288 square inches?

Cheers, Mark.

Quote from: Mark Dalrymple on November 17, 2024, 01:59:04 PMHi.

Just to check.  Is the size an area allowance or a perimeter restriction?  So - could one build a diorama 4 foot long and half a foot wide?  Or 15" square?  Or an odd shape, so long as the area is under 288 square inches?

Cheers, Mark.

Thanks for the question, the answer is the diorama can not exceed 288 square inches, the restriction is an area allowance. Thanks for pointing this issue out.

Jim

Looking forward to seeing everyone's work..... :)

A good question came up concerning where to post the challenge build threads.  Just start a new topic titled your 2024 winter challenge in the Winter Challenge area. That way all the thread posts will be in one easy to follow section of the site. After challenge is over we can decide if you want your build moved to another part of the forum such as structures, diorama or your own layout section.

Thanks

Jim

Quote from: Jim Donovan on November 18, 2024, 08:19:48 PMA good question came up concerning where to post the challenge build threads.  Just start a new topic titled your 2024 winter challenge in the Winter Challenge area. That way all the thread posts will be in one easy to follow section of the site. After challenge is over we can decide if you want your build moved to another part of the forum such as structures, diorama or your own layout section.

Thanks

Jim

Jim,

Thank you for the quick response to my question, much apprecaited.

Tom

Another great question came in concerning the rules of the contest. What is 'railroad themed'? It simply means the scene needs to be something you expect to see where trains might be found. Trains or train track do not need to be part of the diorama. 

Thanks

Jim

I was asked if narrow gauge sizes are permitted for the contest and the answer is yes indeed! When I wrote the gauge had to be a 'standard' gauge I was meaning any commonly recognized gauge. Sorry for the confusion. 
Jim

Good Morning folks;

Just a heads up, we are close to the end of the winter challenge, March 23, 2025 (first day of spring). So hopefully everyone is done or about done and from what I have seen the modeling has been amazing. Thanks!

Jim

We have a lot of great build threads coming to completion and given that winter seems to want to hang around up north we will close the challenge at end of March so everyone has a good chance of finishing. Looking forward to the final pictures of all who participated, thanks!

Jim

Today is the last official day of the 2024 winter challenge. If you have not completed yet please continue and show your results. I appreciate everyone who took the time to enter the challenge and more importantly share their knowledge on modeling techniques. While we did not have as many enter this year as in past years the quality was incredible.

Judges will be reviewing the various threads in the coming week and I hope to announce the winner of best thread build next week, however timing will be up to the judges. Thanks again everyone.

Jim