MidTown Garage mini diorama

bostonjim Dec 28, 2020

  1. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    This kit arrived early in the week from Shapeways along with a lot of detail parts I ordered. It is called "garage" and is made by LKW. It is a one-piece structure. It has a stucco-like appearance. The signs and the interior are from a paper kit by Sean Brennan in Canada, as is the garage door. BTW. His paper kits are worth it just for the printed graphics and signage. Added bonus they make great templates for building other z-scale buildings. I made a couple of his paper news stands previously. The automobiles are by Carlos Pinto. The structure came with windows on the office side of the building. I used an n-scale decal to cover them up. The tire piles and stacks are 3-D printed (forget who, sorry.) It is lit with a 3V LED from Evans Design and runs on a coin battery. It measures 2 1/2x4" I added a couple of roof vents and a door from my scrap box. DSCN5158 (4).JPG DSCN5162 (3).JPG
     
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  2. husafreak

    husafreak TrainBoard Member

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    Sweet!
     
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  3. CNE1899

    CNE1899 TrainBoard Member

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    Jim,
    Nice little kit! Good job!
     
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  4. Zscaleplanet

    Zscaleplanet TrainBoard Supporter

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    I swear that’s one of Elvis’ Cadillac’s parked in the second bay......:D

    The interior lighting is a nice touch.

    Noting that the garage is a solid assembly, I agree with you in regards to Sean Brennan’s paper kits being nice. I have a few of them in my stash of supplies, but have yet to actually complete them. However, you created an interesting use of paper kits for the interior, signage and garage doors. My only hesitancy is to mix and match them as completed buildings with laser cut kits on a layout. My concern is they may look unbalanced along side a well done laser cut building. Buts that’s just my own opinion.

    But you’ve sparked my imagination to use components of them in the way you have, and I believe they also may be viable as background material.
     
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  5. JimJ

    JimJ Staff Member

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    Man, that’s beautiful modeling for any scale. It has that “just right” look to it. Excellent job!
     
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  6. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you for the kind words, Jim.
     
  7. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    Hi, Lance.
    I agree with you on not putting a paper kit next to other kits made from different materials; they are just too one-dimensional. However, that being said, components such as the signage and interiors are quite useful for adding to other kits. I added some bracing to the sign to give it a 3-dimensional look. I also added some barrels and red "Snap-on" tool chests to the interior to give it a 3-D appearance. I think they would also make nice background material. In Zee we have to use or repurpose what is available. Jim
     
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  8. SMR

    SMR TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Jim,
    Nicely built, I like it a lot.
    You may want to try an old tree on the right side (where an old owl is housing.....)
    Best,
    Sven
     
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  9. RailMix

    RailMix TrainBoard Member

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    Very nice. It's got the kind of atmoshere I'm striving to capture in HO. Reminds me of the gas station where I hung out more years ago than I care to admit. You guys working in Z scale are doing some truly amazing things. Vehicles appear to be a 56 Chevy wagon, 54 Ford 2dr HT, 50 chevy pickup and um- Christine? Outstanding!
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2020
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  10. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you, Sven. When it finds a permanent home it will get some further treatment. Where can I get a z-scale owl? I like the idea. Jim
     
  11. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you, Tom. It does make a nice showcase for Carlos Pinto's excellent vehicles. I'm not much of a car guy so I'm not really sure what makes and models the vehicles are. I do like them a lot, though. The garage seems easy enough to build in HO. It has very simple lines. Jim
     
  12. JoeS

    JoeS TrainBoard Member

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    Looking at your work I wish I would have considered using interior lighting on my structures. Your use and positioning give them such a polished look. Fantastic!
     
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  13. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, Joe. I wish I had put lights into some of my earlier builds, too. It is only in the past couple of years I've started adding them. Nano and pico LEDS convinced me. I use a piece of Evergreen 3/32" tube (item 223) to run the magnet wire thru. I file a notch at the top and bend the magnet wire with LED 90 degrees and glue it in place. On this build it is between the two doors and about a 1/2" inside the building. Lights really do make a difference. I need to learn more about them. Jim
     
  14. mdvholland

    mdvholland TrainBoard Member

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    Lovin’ it!
     
  15. mdvholland

    mdvholland TrainBoard Member

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    Btw, the maker is a Steffen - LKW is what the garage is for... LKW= LastKraftWagen, German for truck / lorry (y)

    Matt
     
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  16. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, Matt. I was not sure what LKW stood for. I did not see any other buildings/kits by him. I really like this one. Jim
     

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