N Gauge Forum

General Category => N Gauge Discussion => Topic started by: Ollie3440 on April 12, 2011, 07:04:18 PM

Title: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: Ollie3440 on April 12, 2011, 07:04:18 PM
Evening all,

Was just thinking if it could be a bit of fun to do some form of competition? I've seen other forums do them and they always seem to attract some attention. So out of interest what does everyone think?

Ollie
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: michael on April 12, 2011, 07:06:43 PM
always, what do you have in mind?
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: Ollie3440 on April 12, 2011, 07:11:37 PM
Not sure lol
i think one that involves building a small layout is always fun but then not everyone can justify building another layout. So then maybe a building/rollingstock one would be better.
What does everyone think would be a good one to have?

Ollie
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: OwL on April 12, 2011, 07:12:31 PM
Im up for a giggle, competitions are cool.  ;D
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: michael on April 12, 2011, 07:16:22 PM
something along the lines of a standard item thats been modified then. i.e a buliding kit thats been kit-bashed or a loco thats been re-painted.
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: Ollie3440 on April 12, 2011, 07:19:13 PM
What about a building one? or something unusual like a bridge building one?

Ollie
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: michael on April 12, 2011, 07:26:28 PM
you'll probably find that if its a building one you will alienate half the people and if its a respray one you will alienate the other half lol
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: Ollie3440 on April 12, 2011, 07:29:30 PM
Quote from: michael on April 12, 2011, 07:26:28 PM
you'll probably find that if its a building one you will alienate half the people and if its a respray one you will alienate the other half lol

Very good point, i think we need to see what everyone would prefer. My personal choice would be towards building something (no idea why i like the sound of a bridge building comp lol)

Ollie
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: Lawrence on April 12, 2011, 07:35:47 PM
Why not start with something simple, everyone will (probably) have a freight \ goods car \ wagon of some description, so how about a weathering project.

I am not a fan of competitions as they can be rather exclusive and the ethos of the forum is to be as inclusive as possible.  So might I suggest starting with a wagon weathering project, where everyone who takes part explains how they achieved their results and the products they used, that way everyone learns from everyone else.

How does that sound guys?
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: zwilnik on April 12, 2011, 07:48:12 PM
Another option is a photoscene competition, so it's more about staging and setting up a scene and taking a good shot. Which means a fairly simple competition for most people and not a huge amount of modelling or setup time required to enter.
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: Mustermark on April 12, 2011, 07:54:32 PM
That's good thinking Lawrence. Everyone is likely to want a weathered wagon in the end :thumbsup: and it will be an opportunity to have a go and learn from everyone else too.  

But I also really like Zwilnik's photo competition idea.  :camera:

Perhaps we could combine the two or do both.

Though I do agree the idea is to be inclusive and it would have to be more fun than competition, but it could be fun to see how we all tackle a similar theme.

And of course someone gets to win (a mug or a curly wurly?) but it's the taking part that counts.

I'm happy to join in and have a go.
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: moogle on April 12, 2011, 08:40:49 PM
Weathering an item of rolling stock, as opposed to a wagon, might get more people interested.
And no Curly Wurlys for me. I'm on a diet!
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: findus on April 12, 2011, 09:30:06 PM
Quote from: Zwilnik on April 12, 2011, 07:48:12 PM
Another option is a photoscene competition, so it's more about staging and setting up a scene and taking a good shot. Which means a fairly simple competition for most people and not a huge amount of modelling or setup time required to enter.

How about a funny photoscene? could mean making somthing or just using what you have already got..
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: upnick on April 12, 2011, 11:16:35 PM
How about if i start the ball  rolling with a dioramma  /scene with a weathered piece of stock a mix of ideas already mentioned  :) it is ready to integrate where i  choose on the layout now  :)

I  search  sites  often  for  reference  pictures to add to my collection   :D   i   do about half an  hour at a time otherwise it does  get  monotinous.  

While doing so  i found these two  pictures

(http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii377/upnick/FREIGHT%20CARS/nwboxcar.jpg)

(http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii377/upnick/FREIGHT%20CARS/NYC2087858_City20of20Industry20C-1.jpg)

This  motivated me to  make up  a small   diorama with  a grounded car  i  wanted it to   have the doors open  to  show it truly  is abandoned to  rot into the scenery .... the car  of choice is from Microtrains i have had for a while the trucks will come in  for conversion  of another car  :wink:
the base is plasticard  with  the car  resting on  balsa wood the ends  can be weathered to represent rotting  ties.

After a wash  of  very thin  off white  vallejo  paint i  used Bragdons powders on  the car  to  give the impressions of rust streaking   & dirt build up  etc .........  a little grass/silfor   &   fine  turf gave the base a  start  for the final finish to   blend in with it's surroundings along with a few more bits  such  as half barrels  etc  :D


(http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii377/upnick/IN%20%20PROGRESS/sun3.jpg)

(http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii377/upnick/IN%20%20PROGRESS/sun4.jpg)

(http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii377/upnick/IN%20%20PROGRESS/sun5.jpg)

(http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii377/upnick/IN%20%20PROGRESS/sun7.jpg)

(http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii377/upnick/IN%20%20PROGRESS/sun2.jpg)

Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: cupoftea on April 13, 2011, 07:01:28 AM
Quote from: moogle on April 12, 2011, 08:40:49 PM
Weathering an item of rolling stock, as opposed to a wagon, might get more people interested.
And no Curly Wurlys for me. I'm on a diet!

Hi Moogle

If you win can I have your Curly-Wurly?
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: haeckmaen on April 13, 2011, 06:53:46 PM
I think the idea of a wheathered van/coach competition including a proper photographic background is a good idea.

Though upnick has already set the standards... very good work.

While thinking about how this could be exceeded I found this: http://www.stromlinie.eu/02_Modellbau/03_Rollendes/gwagen.html
A finescale brass kit of a burnt van with lasercut pieces of actually burnt planks. Weird, pricey, but excellent modelling. At 40 pounds, you would expect it to be ready to run and pretty intact, but it isn't ;)

Matthias

Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: OwL on April 13, 2011, 10:26:21 PM
Quote from: Ollie3440 on April 12, 2011, 07:11:37 PM
Not sure lol
i think one that involves building a small layout is always fun but then not everyone can justify building another layout. So then maybe a building/rollingstock one would be better.
What does everyone think would be a good one to have?

Ollie

Oh My Word!!!! I must be so thick!! :-[ looking back at the thread, I mis understood the meaning of competion!!! :-[(more embaressed!!)

I've only just sussed the competion would involve building and making stuff N gauge related!

Thicko-me thought it would be like general knowledge stuff like 'what year was the battle of Hastings?' (answer 1066)  and 'what year did Neil Armstrong land on the moon?' (answer 1969) :-[ Am I the only one to mis-understand the meaning of this competition???

If it comes to making or weathering stuff then count me out, Im rubbish at making things hence why I leave it too the RtR experts: Dapol and GraFar!!!!!!!!
Im struggling with my own layout!!!!
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: Lawrence on April 13, 2011, 10:53:11 PM
Owl - this is why I would prefer to have it as a project rather than a competition, and I should make it clear that I am speaking as a modeller not a mod here.

My reasons are these; if we start doing competitions, people can quickly get disheartened if they see the same folks 'winning' all the time and ultimately the numbers of people having a go, quickly dwindle, also there can be a tendency for folks not to share information quite as readily in a competitive environment.

Whereas in a collective project environment, everyone, irrespective of their skill levels, can get involved, people freely share ideas on materials, ways of doing things and ideas, and generally are able to give constructive criticism.

My idea then would be to perhaps have a mutually agreed quarterly project where a theme is chosen, members detail their methods, materials and share their knowledge to the benefit of all members, not just a few who can.  And to be honest your comments back this up, currently you don't appear to have the confidence to enter a competition, but you might have a go at a project, where you could learn techniques from others without the pressure of having to produce 'a winner'.

As I said, these views are my own personal views but I do think they share common ground with the whole ethos behind this forum and if I may quote from the Code of Conduct

"The N Gauge Forum hopes to: Promote N Gauge rail modelling in all of its forms, discover & progress through innovation in the hobby and develop skills in all areas of the hobby"

Okay, you can all open fire now  ;D
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: findus on April 13, 2011, 10:59:37 PM
BANG  :smiley-laughing:

I agree 100% it would be fun to all have a part in this at every level.. but im not sure how we could all share a curly wurly  ???
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: OwL on April 13, 2011, 11:24:13 PM
Quote from: Lawrence on April 13, 2011, 10:53:11 PM
Owl - this is why I would prefer to have it as a project rather than a competition, and I should make it clear that I am speaking as a modeller not a mod here.

My reasons are these; if we start doing competitions, people can quickly get disheartened if they see the same folks 'winning' all the time and ultimately the numbers of people having a go, quickly dwindle, also there can be a tendency for folks not to share information quite as readily in a competitive environment.

Whereas in a collective project environment, everyone, irrespective of their skill levels, can get involved, people freely share ideas on materials, ways of doing things and ideas, and generally are able to give constructive criticism.

My idea then would be to perhaps have a mutually agreed quarterly project where a theme is chosen, members detail their methods, materials and share their knowledge to the benefit of all members, not just a few who can.  And to be honest your comments back this up, currently you don't appear to have the confidence to enter a competition, but you might have a go at a project, where you could learn techniques from others without the pressure of having to produce 'a winner'.

As I said, these views are my own personal views but I do think they share common ground with the whole ethos behind this forum and if I may quote from the Code of Conduct

"The N Gauge Forum hopes to: Promote N Gauge rail modelling in all of its forms, discover & progress through innovation in the hobby and develop skills in all areas of the hobby"

Okay, you can all open fire now  ;D

I feel even more stupid now!! :-[ Not only did I think the competition was a general knowledge round, I just got a lecture from Lawrence about competitions promoting the impending doom of the site...LoL(joke) :-[........The good thing though is that THIS IS THE BEST SITE ON THE NET AND YOUR ALL MY MATES :thumbsup:
Competion or no competition we are all winners being members on this site. Thank You Lawrence and Tank plus all the background forum guys whom keep this site going from strength to strength :wave: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: Mustermark on April 14, 2011, 12:01:15 AM
I like owl's idea of a general knowledge quiz!!!  I knew both those answers and I'm a bit of a novice at modelling. :smiley-laughing:

But, if it has to be modelling then I would still have a go, just to try to make something as well as I could and take a good photo.  I do think it's the taking part, and also seeing what others can do that you can learn from.  We just have to be constructive and kind, like it seems in all the threads so far.
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: cupoftea on April 14, 2011, 06:49:24 AM
Quote from: Lawrence on April 13, 2011, 10:53:11 PM
Owl - this is why I would prefer to have it as a project rather than a competition, and I should make it clear that I am speaking as a modeller not a mod here.

My reasons are these; if we start doing competitions, people can quickly get disheartened if they see the same folks 'winning' all the time and ultimately the numbers of people having a go, quickly dwindle, also there can be a tendency for folks not to share information quite as readily in a competitive environment.

Whereas in a collective project environment, everyone, irrespective of their skill levels, can get involved, people freely share ideas on materials, ways of doing things and ideas, and generally are able to give constructive criticism.

My idea then would be to perhaps have a mutually agreed quarterly project where a theme is chosen, members detail their methods, materials and share their knowledge to the benefit of all members, not just a few who can.  And to be honest your comments back this up, currently you don't appear to have the confidence to enter a competition, but you might have a go at a project, where you could learn techniques from others without the pressure of having to produce 'a winner'.

As I said, these views are my own personal views but I do think they share common ground with the whole ethos behind this forum and if I may quote from the Code of Conduct

"The N Gauge Forum hopes to: Promote N Gauge rail modelling in all of its forms, discover & progress through innovation in the hobby and develop skills in all areas of the hobby"

Okay, you can all open fire now  ;D

I agree - a 'project' is a great idea. I would not take part in a competition but would be happy to take part in a project.
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: moogle on April 15, 2011, 08:42:07 PM
Quote from: cupoftea on April 13, 2011, 07:01:28 AM
Quote from: moogle on April 12, 2011, 08:40:49 PM
Weathering an item of rolling stock, as opposed to a wagon, might get more people interested.
And no Curly Wurlys for me. I'm on a diet!

Hi Moogle

If you win can I have your Curly-Wurly?

Sure! But I think you might have to share it with other forum members...

Quote from: Lawrence on April 13, 2011, 10:53:11 PM
Owl - this is why I would prefer to have it as a project rather than a competition, and I should make it clear that I am speaking as a modeller not a mod here.

My reasons are these; if we start doing competitions, people can quickly get disheartened if they see the same folks 'winning' all the time and ultimately the numbers of people having a go, quickly dwindle, also there can be a tendency for folks not to share information quite as readily in a competitive environment.

This is so true. They have competitions on another forum I go on occasionally and the same folks do seem to always win and this does do the above.
There's even been threads about exactly that on it, some quite nasty if I recall so whilst fun, maybe competitions are not the thing for this forum.
But, if we do have one and I win, PLEASE SHARE THE CURLY WURLY!  ;D
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: jonclox on April 16, 2011, 09:56:27 AM
I`m with Lawrence on this.
Its going to exclude many struggling (me included) newbies if you pit them in a competition against modellers who have become 'masters' of the modelling art over many years.
Thats not being disrespectfully to newbies or experts but purely a fact of life.
;D In some ways I can here the backstabbing knives being sharpened at the very thought of it  :computerangry: :computerangry:  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: Tank on April 16, 2011, 10:08:45 AM
I also agree with Lawrence and he is currently planning something which will appear on here soon. ;)
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: jonclox on April 16, 2011, 03:58:16 PM
Quote from: Tank on April 16, 2011, 10:08:45 AM
I also agree with Lawrence and he is currently planning something which will appear on here soon. ;)

I believe this is snippet from the beginning of Lawrence's idea....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXdjbdw4FDs
Just wait till we get to see the main event. (The Scottish accent seems a bit strong to my southern ears)  ;D
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: Lawrence on April 16, 2011, 04:12:50 PM
Quote from: jonclox on April 16, 2011, 03:58:16 PM
Quote from: Tank on April 16, 2011, 10:08:45 AM
I also agree with Lawrence and he is currently planning something which will appear on here soon. ;)

I believe this is snippet from the beginning of Lawrence's idea....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXdjbdw4FDs
Just wait till we get to see the main event. (The Scottish accent seems a bit strong to my southern ears)  ;D

Well I wont be russian in to anything yet and want to scotch any rumours of curly wurly's being handed out
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: Lawrence on April 17, 2011, 07:51:01 PM
Stop Press!  New project Department Launced today, check out the first project at
http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?board=58.0
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: OwL on April 18, 2011, 09:40:13 PM
I know im thick and stuff but me-thinks even I can manage this :thumbsup: count me back in, Thanks Lawrence for organising this :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Anyone up for a Competition?
Post by: Bob(K) on April 22, 2011, 08:17:31 AM
That is a very good result. I like the way the lettering has faded.