This Christmas I built an N scale garage from Depots by John – my first experience in N (I need better eyesight!). I was quite pleased with the results. John is not only a custom builder of structures but he has a line of kits and parts that are worth exploring, HO and N Some of his newest buildings were done for the Chicago Museum of Science & Industry HO layout and he is now offering those structures as a kit. I think you’ll find his new website interesting
www.depotsbyjohn.com
Dave Nelson
I’ve got several structure kits from John, including two of his “generic” midwest depots, one of his Chicago bungalows, and several telephone boxes. His castings are very nice, and his choice of prototypes are perfect for an Illinois modeler like myself! I just wish he’d make more stuff!
It seems to be hard to find–even ordering from the Walthers catalog can be tricky. It looks like nice stuff, though.
And John stands behind his products, too. I had one of his small depots (based on a Milwaukee Road prototype), and one of the window castings was defective. I sent John a letter and the defective window, and he replaced it promptly. He also sent me a set of Freight House signs.
I do hope he will make his “Windy City Series” in N scale.
I like his stuff. For years I’ve been saying that someone needs to do a typical Chicago style, brick bungalow (probably has something to do with growing up in Chi-town!) Well John finally has, as well as some other typical
looking Chicago style buildings. But I didn’t see them on his site, and at Walthers they seem kinda pricey to me. Talk about mixed feelings!