Title of this thread really caught my eye as I belonged to a helicopter company whose gun platoon were the Alleycats. I was in the lift platoon.
I was thinking...A LOT about the no window thing. I was thinking of going the opposite direction. I had a bag full 0f assorted DPM parts that I got at a train show. I found 4 very large, first floor, window sections that you might see in an old department store. If I use them for my front wall I could light up the inside and have a full view of the interior which would be soooo much better then taking off the roof. I can't see why I couldn't do that. Is there some bowling rule that says you can't have windows? Or is it that they save money by not having windows because they are un-necessary ??
The back of the alley has machinery, so no point in windows there. Serious bowlers apparently are very picky about lighting and windows and natural light are considered a distraction. There may be windows in the front of the building, usually in the lounge area, but they will even tint or mirror the windows between the lounge and the lanes to reduce the natural light sneaking in.
There's no problem with big windows in front. There can be a lobby, trophy room/lounge, snack bar, etc. Lots of opportunities for inside detail. And there's always Rule #1 - it's your railroad, and you can do whatever tickles your fancy.
I agree. Windows in the alley area would be bad. But, up front in the lounge, snack room, bar and offices would be fine. Of course then we wouldn't be able to see the alley area, just like in real life.
It seems as though many older bowling alleys were repurposed buildings. They were often only two or four alleys wide when combined with a lounge or bar. As a result many probably had windows on the sides that were then painted black and possibly paneled over in the interior, extensions added to the back (either wood or metal quonset construction). Would make for an interesting project.
One of my favorite bowling alleys is in the basement of an old burger joint. All there is up front is a single door. Candy, you can make anything and it will work fine.
As I recall the one in my hometown had 6 alleys where the dance hall was before in the back of a large bar on main street. The front had all windows with shoulder high panels to block the view in to the bar out front. They faced east so didn't cause issues in the evening when there was bowling. It closed when I went to college and the army. The new one was built just after the military service. It was an all metal building out in the industrial park and had 14 lanes. A small bar in front with pool tables. Have fun and don't forget to show us what you make. Please.
Heard several comments about bowling alleys located in repurposed buildings. I went the opposite direction. Once designed a model train layout just for the fun of it, to see what could be fit into one bowling lane.
I can smell the beer and sweaty feet from here. Since I'm from Milwaukee that's almost an aphrodisiac.
