Commissary Question

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hello all, Im examining this item that will be availible sometime in the summer according to:

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-3173

6 1/8 tall
12 5/8 long
3 1/4 wide

I am wondering if anyone has any actual experience with this item? Im wondering is there a way to build two of them together to make one long unit? Do these units have a “Back” or what I would presume to be the truck dock? If not, should I try to build these “Back to back” to make one full structure with all 4 sides?

Or just build pair of REA Express buildings together to make one long unit? They are quite similar and save the trouble?

2

If you are interested in the railroad’s commissary you might obtain a copy of Marc Frattassio’s book “Dining on the Shore Line Route” vailable from the NHRTA. It has a chapter on the New Haven’s commissary operations at South Station in Boston including a layout of the commissary area tracks. Everything you want to know about dining car operation on a great Class 1 railroad fro A to Z is included. Makes great reading.

3

virtually all the walthers kits are good to modify. When you splice walls together pay attention to where the loading dock doors would go and where the office might be and cut and glue accordingly. One book I’ve found very helpful is John Prykes’ on urban scenery (there’s that New Haven connection again) but any of the books on kitbashing structures will help. To actually answer your question, the four sided structure is REA transfer building 933-3095 noted as a modular design and apparantly having loading docks on both sides. Have fun and good luck. [:D]J.R.

4

I have a Commissary Building on my layout

A back was not included in the first ones

Which is something i complained to Walthers about since you can see Thru the building

They told me it was being considered for future production

You may also want to add interior floors{also not included} because with all those windows it’s easy to see inside

It is an easy kit and can even be narrowed diagonally as the parts come pre cut for this purpose

It would be easy to place 2 back to back if you wish

5

Thanks everyone for the input, it looks like I will get two of the REA’s instead because they already have a “Back”

If Walthers made a “Full” commissary building in the future it would definatly be a interesting item.

The other alternative is modular building and frankly Ive already have a box full of parts that will turn into another building at some point with planning already finished.

I hope that I can build a firewall between the two REA units to make a single longer unit that will look better with the other two structures nearby.