Hello, it's been awhile since I posted. But now would like to ask all if anyone knows of a structure as close as I can get to this building. This is a building the wife and I are in the process of purchasing. Built in mid 1800s. It is similar in design as many of the DPM kits. I am trying to find a structure as close to this as I can to kit bash a model it it. Any scale really, because it will be a stand alone model, so HO, O, G, scales like that are fine too. Anyone know of a kit I might be able to work with? I am really excited about this building for many reasons. But, one of the main reasons is, including the full basement, it is a total of over 5,000 square feet. I get the entire basement to do what I want with (about 1700 square feet). I am going to make that space my model train hobby area, and once we close on the property, I will soon start a plan for a crazy layout in that area. That is going to be a huge undertaking, but I think a really fun one..
Wow, wonderful. I'll take a shot.... Lets see...... There's this: http://www.microstru.com/N-303.html and under DPM, this: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/243-51100 http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/243-50400 Woodland Scenics: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/785-5200 Walthers (one of three - look at the one on the end) http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-3224 Have fun...
Wow! Nice building... I suspect you will need to kit bash; take a kit or two like Randy is suggesting and use it for parts. The cornice will need to be modified, or scratch built. What are you going to do with the rest of the building, a business? Living quarters up above? Good luck! Regards, Otto
On second thought, now that I've studied the building, you may be better off scratchbuilding ... If you want to have a somewhat accurate replica. Lovely structure.... Where is it if I may ask? Otto
The other option would be to build a cardstock model. Then you could have the front look almost exactly as it does in your photo. And it wouldn't just be a flat-faced model, either. Proper depth for entrance foyers, details on cornices and window/door trim, clear plastic for windows, interior details (buy them, make them, or even just print them as flats or layered flats inside) are all easy, and with proper weathering and additional details and accessories (trash cans, lights, fire escape?), your model can look amazing. Oh, and just for an example of what cardstock modeling can do, have a look at this video. All of the models on this layout are cardstock.
Everything except the stuff right under the roof is pretty available in one kit or another. The door to the upstairs will almost certainly have to be scratchbuilt. I don't recall ever seeing a door on a model that narrow and high. Have you looked at any of the German model sites?
He could possibly kitbash a couple of doors together to make one tall one, or he could just build it out of wood or styrene and make it whatever length it needs to be.
I have to study the building in more detail after we close before I actually start any model building, but yes, that front entry door is not as narrow as it looks. It is an optical illusion because it is so freaking tall. That door is about 12 foot tall (give or take), and a standard 3' or so width. I'm sure I am going to have to scratch build much of the detail, but there are several DPM or similar kits that can offer a starting point because many of them are from that era, and very similar in architecture. As far as this building, we are selling our current "traditional" home. And buying this one is a small town in lower Michigan. Actually, this building is in a small town just 4 miles from our current small town. In fact, my daughter goes to the school from the town this building is in. It is a historical down town, and this building is part of a historical area of the town. It is (give or take) 25'X75' brick structure. Very solid, and straight. There isn't even any settling cracks in the brick work. Crazy for a building approaching 160 years old. In fact, all the buildings in the string of them this is an end of have any settling, and all of them are straight as the day they were built. Each The 1st floor (storefront) is aprox 1700 square feet of open floor area, with original cabinetry on both sides the length of it, w/ 11' ceilings. The 2nd floor is a 1700 sf single living quarters with 2 very large bedrooms, full bath, formal dining, and kitchen. Huge rooms with 11 foot ceilings. Really nice but does need some freshening up. The basement is also 1700ish sf but it does have a row of columns down the center line. But, also one big open space with 7' ceilings. We plan to use it as our home on the 2nd floor as we renovate it (even tho it really doesn't need too awfully much). We are going to split the 1st level, the back half being my shop/garage, and the front half a storefront. I used to buy/sell/trade new and used N scale RR "stuff", and may expand that to other scales. We thought about taking that brick & Morter, but really, not sure if it would do well enough to warrant taking up that space as a "retail" space. But, the wife has managed book stores before, and has always wanted her own, so it will probably end up a new/used book store which has always been her dream. The town Manager is way on board with that, because the small town doesn't have a bookstore, and he agrees that space and location would be perfect fit for the area, with cafe's, floral shops, antique shops, resturants all along that strip. Lots of town shopping both sides of the road along that strip, but no book store. He loved that idea. So, will probably be the wife's dream book store. (but, you can bet there is gonna be some train stuff in there, lol). The basement is mine to do what I will, and that is going to be my train area with unlimited space for whatever I dream up as a layout plan. I like the idea of not having limitations. My mind is going crazy, lol.. As much as I love N scale, and never will give that scale up completely, that space may end up HO or even O scale tho.. As far as my building model, I know I will probably have to kitbash 2 or more models to get my starting point, and scratch build some details. I would like a larger (maybe G scale) building so I can also detail the interior floor details.
You should then check out the doll house scale stuff, 1/12 and 1/24. There is probably a better selection of outside details and furniture there. Of course, I would think having the building in some form on the layout is a must.
Actually, that is a great idea. I think I am going to do just that, and build a doll house scale model of this building. I think I could do better with the detail, as well as the interiors that way. But yes, you are also right, and I had already planned to put the whole row of these buildings in our town including our new building on my Nscale layout.
When you get the place, would you mind posting good straight-on shots of the front, side, and rear? If it's OK with you, I think I'm going to build a version of it in N-scale. I love the details!
I will. As far as the side and back, they are pretty "typical" of those buildings. Basically just all brick. One side is joined with the building next to it, and the alley side is just pretty much a 75' long by about 30' brick wall. no 1st floor windows, but does have 2nd floor windows the same arched and size as the front windows (minus the trim details). Also has basement windows though. The back is also pretty standard to those buildings. Basically must like the DPM structures. All the charm is the front of the building again, like what is pretty typical. We have an appointment this afternoon to get back in it to do some measurments, and plan to take more pictures.
Excellent! As much as I like the front details, making the back look good is also great fun. I'm going to build this in cardstock. When I'm done, I'd be glad to send along a PDF of the kit, if you'd like.
I would love that. I have some pictures I am resizing and cropping of the side, back and some closer better detail pics of the front detail. I will be posted those soon. A really cool treasure find we found hidden today in the building that we didn't see the other day. It has an old safe, about the same age as the structure in the back of it. It is about 4' wide, 5' tall, and about 3-4' deep. It also has a safe inside the safe with lockable compartments.. Really cool scroll work and detail on it too. Can't wait to go through that thing.. lol...
here are some of the detail pics.. front 2nd floor 1st floor front detail. roof and window detail. Alley side detail.
Back of building detail. The structure includes that small section that almost looks separate with the sealed off doorway to the left. That is also part of the structure. side windows detail
Watch that first step out the back door on the second floor !!!!! Suxs some one started whitewashing them kewl red bricks :tb-sad::tb-wacky: **BTW...got the towers today...thnxs :tb-cool: As soon as I grow 6 more hands...I should be able to assemble them pretty easy...LOL
Yeah, I tried to get the wife when we were in that room (that is a very large master bedroom on that backside.) to run out that door quickly. I just got one of "those looks" lol.. We plan to build a "terrace" on the back using that door. May, or may not have stair access. I'm not crazy about making access to that door from the ground. But would be a cool balcony. It's not whitewash. It's actually worse. It's been stuckoed. It may, or may not be able to come off, because it is very thin, but stucko none the less. Would have been easier to get off if it were paint I think.. But at least they left the front half alone. I was told that was done sometime in the 1960s to preserve the brick and keep it from eroding. Might be true, because the brick is in very nice condition. There is only a few bricks in the part that isn't stuckoed that have a little bit of eroding...
LOL...I am with you...no balcony access from the ground !!:thumbs_down: I am sure the place will be looking great. Ya got a long time to fix up the incidentals...like a stucco job...lol T.H.E. Wife says it looks 'quaint' and a bookstore is an awesome idea.
I told the wife that this was going to be the 1st piece in my freaking huge 1:1 layout. There is an old caboose I been eying not far from here. Then I'll start looking for a real locomotive (actually, I know of an old Michigan Central RS2 near by that could be bought), and seeing about getting some of the old track around there.. lol.. She said I make a big enough mess with the little ones.. I can't have a huge one.. hahhah
