Day 2 of 180 Days of A/P Cars - Pre-Build Judging

The cars that I'm going to build are all in On30 and are based on prototypes.  Since On30 is a less than realistic scale (there weren't many true prototypes) my models are considered by the NMRA Achievement Program as Freelanced.  It is a bit scary to go into a judging with 30" models, especially now that I live in narrow gauge country with some of the best Sn3 guys in the world judging my work.  But we're going to give it a try.  I can always fly back to Atlanta!

Here are the cars:

#	Car Description	Scale	Type	Scratch	Psng Car
1	Logging Flat Car – loaded with large log	On30	1	Yes	No
2	Gondola Slab Car – loaded #10	On30	2	Yes	No
3	Gondola Slab Car – loaded #12	On30	2	Yes	No
4	Box Car – standard with interior load #21	On30	3	Yes	No
5	Box Car – standard with interior detail #19	On30	3	Yes	No
6	Tank Car – old style #6	On30	4	Yes	No
7	Combine Passenger Car – regular (Argent) #13	On30	5	Yes	Yes
8	Combine Passenger Car – Jim Crowe (Argent) #14	On30	5	Yes	Yes

Pre-Build Judging:

#1 Logging Flat Car - Loaded with Large Log

This flat car will be a "home built" variety for the Hebard Cypress Company.  It will follow plans that I have for a 3' gauge car.  This is the hardest one to score points for.  Let's see what it will score.  It will be completely scratch built per NMRA terms (which means it excludes couplers, trucks, brake gear).  Now I plan to build some of those for extra points.

In construction, he kicker in scoring this one is what will the judges say, regarding the grid, as to whether it is a simple or complex model?  Usually a flat car is more on the simple side, so lots of points can't be earned here.  I've built many flatcars from scratch and plan to have exemplary construction.  I'm thinking it will go "somewhat complex" because of the board by board assembly, and between "very good" and "outstanding" in quality & workmanship.  This will give me about 20 points, only half of what can be earned.

Looking at detail there will be nbw casting, full brake detail, brake wheels and chains, so for a flat car it will have a lot going for it.  Still, this would be what I would consider Moderate Detail, and about half way between Simple and Hard to add.  It should score about 10 points.

I love Conformity!  I also like root canals and rectal surgery.  I'll have photos and plans, which are the two items most people forget.  Aside from being On30, it will be very accurate and the load will be appropriate with the proper photo.  I should score well here, so we'll give it a 20 out of 25.

Finish and lettering.  I'll be making my own decals (scratchbuilding, not conformity) but will be decorating it for my Hebard Cypress Company.  I have the photos for how it will look, but there isn't much in the way of lettering.  The finish will be very well done.  I'm thinking it will be Better (on the grid) and just below Moderate for a score of 17 points our of 25.

The evil NMRA dropped down the amount of points you can get for scratchbuilding so they could bump up Conformity.  Guess they want you to go buy it instead of build it.  I'll be in the Completely Scratchbuilt column, but in the Simple to Moderate line.  This will probably score a 12.

A quick tally shows we will get 79 points.  We need 87.5 so we're 8.5 points shore if we nail it.  At any time a set of judges is 5 points off up or down, so I really need 92.5 points.  This model won't earn a merit award.  So I'll have to get it with four of the other seven.

Why still build it?  It is easy (thus the low points) and the flat car is the basis of all wood cars, so this car is the pattern for the rest.  My only hope on this one is to get more points in Construction or Conformity.

#2 & #3 Gondola Slab Cars

These are Argent prototypes and I have photos and plans for these.  Except for being freelanced and On30, these should score well enough.

Construction - 28
Detail - 13
Conformity - 22
Finish/Lettering - 18
Scratch Built - 12
Total Points - 93

This is good!  I've got 5.5 points of play in the score vs 87.5.  Not a lot of wiggle room, but enough.  A good load in these cars will cinch it.

#4 & #5 Boxcars with load or interior detail

These are Hebard Cypress and Ohio & Western models.  I'll model the O&W since I have photos and plans, then letter it for my railroad as a freelance.  I can build them down to the last nut an bolt.


Construction - 28
Detail - 14
Conformity - 21
Finish/Lettering - 18
Scratch Built -  13
Total Points - 94

This is good!  I've got 6.5 points of play in the score vs 87.5.  I believe I'll actually score higher in construction as I'm pretty good at it, but we'll wait and see.  These two are solid merit winners, so that is at least two of the four.

#6 Tank Car - Old Style

I've got plans for this one, but may change my mind.  Not sure I want to complicate things by building a one off car when I don't need to.  Only four different cars need to be represented, so I may press my luck and change this to a flat car to keep it simple.  We'll not score this yet.

#7 & #8 Passenger Combines

These are Argent prototypes and I have drawings and photos for them.  One of them is a Jim Crowe car, so not sure how it will be received.  It is a prototype and I intend to build it.  Guess Utah folk need to learn how bad it was down South.  These are simple for a passenger car, so I'll really have to kick it in gear to make them score.


Construction - 28
Detail - 12
Conformity - 22
Finish/Lettering - 13
Scratch Built - 13
Total Points - 88

Ouch!  Too close.  Maybe construction will score higher but I'm not sure.  Have to rethink these.  Still, I need the passenger whether merit awarded or not.

As it stands

#	Car Description	Scale	Type	Scratch	Psng Car	Pts Tgt	Merit Award	Status
1	Logging Flat Car – loaded with large log	On30	1	Yes	No	79		Plan
2	Gondola Slab Car – loaded #10	On30	2	Yes	No	93		Plan
3	Gondola Slab Car – loaded #12	On30	2	Yes	No	93		Plan
4	Box Car – standard with interior load #21	On30	3	Yes	No	94		Plan
5	Box Car – standard with interior detail #19	On30	3	Yes	No	94		Plan
6	Tank Car – old style #6	On30	4	Yes	No	n/a		Plan
7	Crew Passenger Car – regular (Argent) #13	On30	5	Yes	Yes	88		Plan
8	Crew Passenger Car – Jim Crowe (Argent) #14	On30	5	Yes	Yes	88		Plan

I've got four of them standing at merit awards and two very close.  This is a plan.  I'll switch out the grid now to remove the tank car and put in another logging flat.

We're good to go!

 

#	Car Description	Scale	Type	Scratch	Psng Car	Pts Tgt	Merit Award	Status
1	Logging Flat Car – loaded with large log	On30	1	Yes	No	79		Plan
2	Logging Flat Car – loaded with large log	On30	1	Yes	No	79		Plan
3	Gondola Slab Car – loaded #10	On30	2	Yes	No	93		Plan
4	Gondola Slab Car – loaded #12	On30	2	Yes	No	93		Plan
5	Box Car – standard with interior load #21	On30	3	Yes	No	94		Plan
6	Box Car – standard with interior detail #19	On30	3	Yes	No	94		Plan
7	Crew Passenger Car – regular (Argent) #13	On30	5	Yes	Yes	88		Plan
8	Crew Passenger Car – Jim Crowe (Argent) #14	On30	5	Yes	Yes	88		Plan

Next, start digging out the photos, drawings and files!