Andrew Cockburn

The most recent (and last) of my fleet of BR diesels to have received "the weathering treatment", my Bachmann class 03. Next up will be my Hornby J94 and two "pugs", though this will be probably not be done until the end of next week, as perhaps not too surprisingly in view of the amount of weathering work done so far, I've ran out of Humbrol matt acrylic varnish, therefore I need to order some more early next week from Humbrol. So watch this space then for the next weathered additions ....

Some more examples of my weathering work, and the materials/tools I used.

Just recently, I decided to weather my OO diesel locos and rolling stock, for I came to the conclusion that their appearance was a bit new/shiny, even a shade “toy-like”, as if they were fresh from the factory. Particularly as my current batch of OO layouts are modelled on my favourite theme of industrial shunting, and as such have been toned down with a fair amount of smoke, rust and general industrial “grime“. I have previously had a bash at weathering rolling stock, but this was in my early days as a modeller, and as such my policy was to coat the locos, wagons etc. with some Humbrol Matt Black paint, which was then wiped off with a piece of tissue or kitchen roll. This was OK for the time/my particular experience as a modeller, though in all truth is wasn’t all that professional a job, so for this latest weathering task, I used a set of weathering powders obtained from DCC Concepts, along with a tin of Humbrol acrylic varnish, Matt Cote, thinners & various brushes (see picture) , while I followed techniques used in the video which can be found via the following link: I have to say that I’m pleased with the results of my endeavours, and I’ve attached some photos of my work. I’ve also got one or two steam locos which a bit “new and shiny”, so I dare say that they may also receive the “weathering treatment” before too long. 　 　

Looks interesting, I look forward to seeing how it develops ....

I must say that I've been impressed by the standard of entries submitted so far, and its going to be interesting to see which one ends up as winner. Unfortunately, I was not really able to take part due to a.) a lack of time in order that I might construct an entry(s) and b.) a lack of space in which to store them, ie I'm still looking for a place to put all six of the models I built for the previous cakebox challenge! However, I dare say I may take part in any future challenge(s) which BRM may come up with.

Re Phil Parker's response of 10:39 - seems a fair enough take on matters, and I fully understand his reasoning.

@ 009 micro modeller Re the issue of sharing the results only with entrants, yes, may not be a bad idea, & how about also that the results only be made available purely on request by a member(s), and not necessarily automatically sent out to all those who entered the competition?

As a bit of a U-turn from my original comment re a list of how the voting went/one or two subsequent comments on this matter, I feel that it may not necessarily be a good idea to publish the results as a whole. I'm not going to speculate as to how the voting went, and who got the most/least votes, but if it is the case that some entrants didn't, shall we say, do as well as others, then maybe it may not after all be such a good idea to have the overall results published on here. Just a bit of food for thought, and it would be interesting to know other's views on the matter.

I just wondered, would it be possible to have a breakdown/list of all of the votes for all the models which entered the competition? Just it would be interesting to see how the overall voting panned out.

Congrats to Kevin Phare for producing such a nice model/worthy winner, while those which come under the "highly commended" category are also very nice models. In fact, the overall standard of modelling has been first class, well done to all who entered, heres looking forward to "Cakebox 2019!"

Seems like a good idea, but unfortunately, and very tempting as it is, I for one will not be able to attend the event, as I'm going to be tied up on December 8th/9th. Still, I'm sure the event will be popular/well attended, and that all those present will have a great time.

Following moonlight's suggestion re modules, that's given me an idea. How about, as an alternative to us submitting individual entry(s) as we did for the previous cakebox competition, we can, if we so wish, submit a "modular layout", make up of individual cakebox dioramas, say maybe to a maximum of 6/8/10? Just a bit of food for thought, for this may just add a bit more interest/a fresh dimension to the competition

Have to agree with some of the previous comments re the general standard of modelling, which was quite superb, if not truly excellent, I guess it may be a bit tricky for the judges to come up with an overall winner. And just out of interest, what is the exact date for the announcement of the overall winner?

Whoever does eventually win, maybe it will have proved to have been a case of (cake)"boxing clever", but winning first prize will surely have also been "the cherry on the cake" ....

　 In response to moonlight’s point re a collective noun for cakeboxes, how about the following suggestions: A spread of cakeboxes? Many slices of cake? A feast of cakeboxes? Cakebox collection? Cakebox compilation? Cakebox consumption? Just a bit of “food” for thought - and as for whoever ends up winning the competition, they may well say that it was a “cakewalk!”

I must say I like TurboSnail’s “penny” concept, though maybe this is pushing the modelling boundaries a wee bit! Or maybe something could be done in Z scale, even just a very short siding or two? Possibly then a bit of food for thought! Slightly off-subject, I just thought that viewers of this site/my fellow modellers in general, at least those who may live where I do, i.e. in North East England, might be interested to know that my OO Gauge interactive shunting layout, “Short Street Sidings”, which features elsewhere on this site, is appearing at the Durham Locomotive Preservation Group’s annual model railway exhibition on the 27th & 28th October 2018. The venue is Whitworth Park School, Spennymoor (DL16 7NL), 10AM - 4PM on both days, so if any of my fellow “cakebox” modellers or modellers in general were able to get to the show, it would be great to meet up with them, and they could possibly also try their hands at a spot of shunting!

@ Hroth I guess that's one pretty sound way of coming up with an unbiased vote!

There have certainly been some cracking cakebox entries entries, and generally speaking the standard of modelling has been quite excellent . I’ve cast my votes (though of course I’m not going to say who I’ve gone for! ), and I have to say that I can’t really wait to see which model comes out on top, while I also look forward to a similar challenge(s) in the future.

Seems like an interesting concept, certainly something a little different! In fact, this does remind me of a kit which I seem to recall used to be available from Airfix many years ago, ie a diorama based on, as far as I recall, a 50s (or was it 60s?) sci-fi/horror movie, only in this case the "monster" (again if memory serves me correctly) was in the form of a giant lobster-like "nasty", descending upon some low-relief buildings. A bit scary! But back to the present, I look forward to seeing how this venture turns out, & good luck re beating the deadline.

Nice little model/scene, in fact it does remind me of part of an old industrial railway scene in my own neck of the woods (now vanished, along with a lot of other lines in NE England). But re the wagon, is it meant to be stationary, or is it being propelled by "mysterious forces?!?!"

Personally, I think all three models are good, and I'd have put all of them forward for the competition. Of course the final decision is down to you, but I feel they've got as good a chance of winning as the other models I've seen so far, it will be interesting to see how the voting pans out.

No model railway layout, diorama etc. would be complete without a "population", and these figures certainly add to the effect/atmosphere.

A very nicely modelled, compact little scene, well done!

A very realistic and well modelled little scene - well done!

This looks quite interesting, I look forward to seeing it develop further. As for the matter of removing a fishplate from track, the best method I find is to grip the rail gently with a pair of pliers (small in my case), then remove the fishplate by either pulling off with fingers, or (gently) with another small pair of pliers, the latter method would seem applicable in this case, ie where the track is already fixed down. Hope this helps.