A new project by Archistories and Z.scale.hobo… I ran across a this new item on https://zscalehobo.com/archistories/archistories.html#Z-Scale A bit like the monroe models diesel engine house but 2-bay instead of single bay; and a bit like what pikestuff offers in N scale. Seems like a nice addition to z kits. For Europeans also available via https://www.1zu220-shop.de/Archistories/Archistories-102211-Moderne-Wartungshalle::143686.html Matt
WOW. Knowing their quality, I am sure this will be a great kit. I’m setting my layout in a late 50s, to early/mid 60s era. Just curious on anyone’s opinion if this would fit in that timeframe? Hard to find any relevant photos regarding engine sheds of that era. Many of the early engine buildings were still standing during this time frame, so the “older historic” sheds fit well into the picture. But I imagine they had these newer structures going up as well in the same yard. Any thoughts out there????
Lance, Here is a excerpt from a Wikipedia article on steel buildings: "History Steel buildings first gained popularity in the early 20th century. Their use became more widespread during World War II and significantly expanded after the war when steel became more available. Steel buildings have been widely accepted, in part due to cost efficiency. The range of application has expanded with improved materials, products and design capabilities with the availability of computer aided design software.[citation needed]" I looked up several other articles from companies and journals, and they basically said the same thing. While technically steel building were around, the appearance of the materials have changed. I think older steel building were corrugated siding. I think this building looks too recent to fit into the sixties. Scott I am going to qualify my statement after seeing this article, maybe it's just that the model has not been weathered, and has a color. This is from The Butler BRI steel building site.
Great info Scott. And some excellent research I might add. I’ve done a little myself. You dug up some good information as well. I would concur that the building as it is presented in the pictures would not fit the era. However, strip off the roof details such as the vents and the skylights, and change out the style of doors, one might have some capability to make this fit the era. And indeed some weathering will certainly take this thing back to the 1960s. LOL
After seeing these latest pics that you just sent over Scott, I am convinced that with a little kit bashing and minor finesse, the ARCHISTORIES steel engine shed could absolutely fit the early 60s era and would be a fabulous addition to any large yard, or small for that matter. I will be securing one for my layout! I am already envisioning the noses of two F7’s poking out the double doors.
I was curious what it might look like without the skylights and modern vents and an older finish. I did some mods in Photoshop. Scott
Thanks Scott, that's the look I'm after! (to use a Luke Towan wording ) The German site says it can be used from Epoche IV onwards (that is: Era 4). I am not sure these apply to USA eras, but in European context, Epoch IV is roughly from 1965 thru 1990. Matt
This is what I was looking for (Exeter, CA carbarn for SJVR, former SP, former VERR). The corrugated sheets would be hard to model for me. I think I can work with the Archistories kit. Matt
Nice photoshopping work. Ineed, more convincing as a late 1950's / early 1960's building. Now, let's see if we can convince Rob Kluz to include one of these in an upcoming edition of ZTRACK MAGAZINE as a subscriber "sampler", just like they did with the ARCHISTORIES single car garages . Well, one can always dream can't they???
The side building is like a garage. It comes "free" when you buy the shed As Matt said - this is a z.scale.hobo exclusive (western hemisphere) so it won't be at the other 2 US dealers. Thanks for posting, Matt. Trainboard only allows me to post in their Swap meet post so this is much appreciated. Thanks!
Hobo, Good come back on the shed! I just ordered mine in white. I’ve got some “bashing” plans for this one…. Lance
Possibly a source of inspiration for Archistories/ Hobo? Look at the square vents... https://www.google.com/maps/place/Union+Pacific+Diesel+Repair+Shop/@41.144272,-100.8373359,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipPnBHh2eA0fdf9-OqE7teT5FhOD_lFtZAb4b98Q!2e10!3e12!6shttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1QipPnBHh2eA0fdf9-OqE7teT5FhOD_lFtZAb4b98Q=w360-h120-k-no!7i3726!8i1242!4m5!3m4!1s0x87763db9f5dae6a9:0x76736fdfade3f8f0!8m2!3d41.144272!4d-100.8373359 However, the sheer size... More doable... Pavonia yard, NJ: Matt
Got my kit in the mail saturday.. Yeah.. Unboxing... So, we have a detailed guide in English and German. Not in Dutch :-( There's colored lasered cardboard, lasered windows and 6 3D-printed (I think) exhausts. They have a sloped bottom to match the slope of the roof. There are some options: the annex can put left or right; you can have doors (ride through) or no doors in the back wall. The gates are dimensioned so the two tracks are 25mm apart, so you can use regular Marklin / Rokuhan switches and railgeometry. I'm pretty happy with it so far. I've got another project currently at hand, but I hope to get started on it sometime in the near future Matt
Any clue on how long of an internal track will be needed? The box says 140 mm total length so a 110mm straight seems a little short for that. But maybe with roof overhangs and wall thickness 110mm will be just right. I'll have to pick one up.
Hi Curn, internal dimensions are over 110 mil. I took a picture of the baseplate. Had no standard 110 mm piece of track nearby, but the Marklin switch is also 110mm. As you can see, the internal dimensions are about 137mm. Matt
Great project here. I think what changed after the sixties was that comercial steel buildings (like this "modern" Archistories kit) became Pre Fabricated Buildings or PEB's. From Wiki: During the 1960s, standardized engineering designs for buildings were first marketed as PEBs.[1] Historically, the primary framing structure of a pre-engineered building is an assembly of I-shaped members, often referred to as I-beams. In pre-engineered buildings, the I beams used are usually formed by welding together steel plates to form the I section... It goes on and on but you get the idea. So to me your challenge is to make the kit not look "pre fabricated". I think weathering, plus electrical lines, drain pipes, and even HVAC units, on the outside of the building, and not integrated into the structure, will go a long way towards achieving this. Maybe having a window or door that doesn't line up, stuff like that.
