Thomas the Tank Engine Cake!!!

The Making:

This 3D cake was made from scratch for my son's 2nd Birthday who was so crazy about Thomas.It was lot of work but had fun making it and was worth it.It was a chocolate cake with Buttercream icing.I used Fondant for making the face and the Engine master.the wheels were are also made out of fondant.It was very much easier to use and be creative with.I used dowel rods to support the cake.Overall the cake turned pretty good as expected although the cake was slightly tilted.
It was hard finding a cake box that would actually fit the cake.since the cake was tall we had to cut the clear lid which goes on top of the cake box and covered the cake using a clear wrap.

Here is a list of tools and products I used:

3 batches Buttercream frosting
Hershey's Cocoa powder (to add to black frosting, this will help you achieve a true black)
12"X18" sheetcake pan (may also use 12"X18")
Wax paper
Cling wrap (plastic wrap)
9"Cake decorating spatula
Wilton gumpaste tools for creating Thomas facial features
Wilton Colors Black, Blue, Red, Yellow
Toothpicks
Wilton Fondant
Small rolling pin
Powdered Sugar for dusting work surface
Crisco shortening
Piping bags and tips
Piping Gel for the back of Thomas face and wheels
cookie stick for holding Thomas face
dowel rods to hold the cake in place
cake board

Buttercream Frosting recipe:

Ingredients:

2 lbs powdered sugar (leave about 1/4 cup in bag) Never use beet sugar!
1 stick butter room temp (do not use margarine or butter substitute)
1/2 cup of Crisco (regular, not butter flavored)
1/2 cup of milk or water
1 tsp clear vanilla extract (you may use regular vanilla extract, but if making white icing will give it a bit of a tint)
1/4-1/2 tsp almond extract (imitation or regular)
1/8 tsp salt

Beat together butter and shortening in your mixer, add vanilla, almond extract, 1/4 milk or water (half of that called for in recipe), and salt. When well mixed, add sugar a cup at a time. As frosting gets thicker, add enough of the remaining milk or water until the consistency seems right. You may or may not need the entire 1/2 cup.
Scrape sides of bowl and mix on high speed for 8-10 minutes.Cover your bowl with a warm damp towel to keep the frosting from drying out.

This frosting can be stored in the fridge for 2 weeks, or in the freezer for 6 months.