This is a wish list for more variety in N-scale structures. Specifically - I’d like to see more modern day suburban homes (2000 sq ft plus w/garages), modern townhouse condos, & modern low-rise office buildings.
Most house structures I see are still those early 50’s homes (small), or European styles that have been sold since the early days of N-scale.
I’m sure that others can come up with many other N-scale structure requests as (IMHO) the industry has not really kept pace with the growth of our scale in this area.
“the industry has not really kept pace with the growth of our scale in this area”
I agree, totally. I can’t figure out why Walthers has not completely mirrored their HO structure line in N. If you try to find some of the early N scale Cornerstone kits you will find that most are sold out. Which leads me to believe they must have been good sellers, right? We are now starting to see some of these kits re-released but there is still a huge gap to be filled in this area. Perhaps they monitor forums like these and will see the need exists!
AMEN, Brother! All Walthers needs to do is look at the prices some of the older kits are commanding on eBay and they would see the revenue they’re missing. Unfortunately, i’ve got a Brach’s Candy Company, but it’s so tiny I’d like to use three to make a decent N scale small factory, but could buy several locomotives for what two more kits would cost on eBay! Design Preservation Models has withered on the vine since Woodland Scenics took it over as well, with very little new being offered. I had hoped for more industrial type wall modules so a Roberts Printing or Hardwood Furniture type building could be assembled to fit a particular plot. Alas, they seem to be converting even N scale into “Toy Train Alley’” with all the “prebuilt” structures coming out from Walthers! [:(][:(][:(]
I think if Walther’s realized how much they alienate N scaler’s, they would be surprised. But think about it, if you’re in N scale as I am tell me if the scenario hasn’t happened to you time and time again. You’re browsing through MR and lo and behold, a new structure from Walther’s. You get excited because its a more contemporary structure, you examine it and love it; only to realize that yet again, and again, and again, and again… it is for HO. The situation is so bad that I try not to look at Walther’s new announcements because I know I’ll just get angry - and life is too short.
On the Atlas forum I started a thread that basically stated that in N scale we are doomed if we are hoping for structures that “FIT OUR SCALE” and not just a repeat of what is happening in HO. N scale can handle larger structures, and have more of a presence than they currently do. Most items that are available out there are one and two story structures - which just repeats what is happening in HO. N scale can cheerfully handle 4 to 8 story structures quite nicely.
I wrote that I felt that there was an N scale lack of consciousness amongst manufactures. To my great disappointment (I’d hoped I was wrong), Marty McGuirk came on and agreed with me, giving even further examples.
The problem with N scale structures awareness is that we will get little support from newbies into the hobby as they aren’t aware of the problem of N is not just a scaled down HO. N has its own laws and one of them is structures can be bigger. The next problem is that N scalers in the transition period are probably quite happy with one and two story buildings. Its us guys who love SD60’s and 90’s and centre beams and automax’s and articulated inter modal, and …and …and… who want the larger buildings.
So to N scaler’s, its time to learn scratch building.
I edited in this kudo to Downtowndeco as the company put out a limited edition structure which was quite large for an N scale bu
AND I THOUGHT THAT I WAS THE ONLY ONE ENJOYING THE N GAUGE BIG POWER LOCO’S ie SD90,SD70,C44-9W TOGETHER WITH INTERMODAL WAGONS. HAVING SAID THAT, I AGREE MODERN LARGE STRUCTURES ARE NEEDED TO GO WITH THEM
AND I THOUGHT THAT I WAS THE ONLY ONE ENJOYING THE N GAUGE BIG POWER LOCO’S ie SD90,SD70,C44-9W TOGETHER WITH INTERMODAL WAGONS. HAVING SAID THAT, I AGREE MODERN LARGE STRUCTURES ARE NEEDED TO GO WITH THEM
How about realistic road signs and other highway structures? Like, a complete highway overpass girder bridge kit. Metal guardrails. Grade crossings as inserts that can be placed in your already-laid track. Turnpike toll booths. Overhead interstate signage… blank green with optional decals even. Various kinds of light poles. Just ideating…
A lot of what Walthers called its “N scale Cornerstone Series” were simply re-releases of the old Heljan ‘Courthouse Square’ kits which have been around long enough now to have grandchildren, and also which, frankly, get a little boring by the time you’ve seen them on a hundred different layouts (including your own).
Walthers is supposedly releasing an N scale version of its Acme Furniture Factory kit, which is good news for those of us looking for something taller than two stories. It’s also good news if this is but the first of many; if Walthers has in fact – at long last! – seen the light!
– Paul
Was hoping for western houses like the tract house I lived in in LA county in 1955 or in Arizona. Intend to scratchbuild a couple. Whole areas of these along SP, UP and ATSF lines in Southern California to the nearest pass. Where are the hot dog places and Toco Bells of the 60’s and 70’s? The Spanish style stucco, red tile roof houses of Pico Rivera, Pasadena and older cities along the tracks. Someone give me a herd of beef cattle, Herefords for my feedlot in Puente, and a REAL slaughter house to send
the pigs and cows to. Paint it up with the mural of the cows and pigs going in, then floating up to heaven with halos and little wings. Pigs with wings! Ha… THAT is when they FLY!
Too many buildings like we have here in small town Illinois, but not like Tucson, Pheonix or So. Calif., Riverside, etc.
I haven’t been doing model railroading very long, so I’m sure I’m not going to say anything that hasn’t been said before. My only interest in this hobby is doing the scenery on them. I enjoy the N scale, amd I must confess that I also get really twisted when I open Model Railroader only to see that Walther’s new structure releases are in HO scale. And while I can’t say that I am great at assembling kits, what I do appreciate about the kits that need to be assembled is that I can paint and weather them myself. These ‘built-up’ kits are good for people who hate to do the assembly - and believe me, I can emphathize, but the colors are pretty awful. I’m sure you can air brush grimy black on them to make them look used, but it’s just grimy black over tacky colored plastic. (Just my opinion)
Another frustration I have is the lack of figures or people in N scale. Maybe there are sources out there that I haven’t stumbled unto and if anyone knows of a good place to get figures that are everyday people, not just work men and railroad workers, please let me know. I know it sounds wacked out that I am not necessarily looking for railroad workers on a model train set up, but not all scenery is about trains and yards for me.
I can appreciate the chagrin that many feel about the shortage of modern N scale structures. But being a scratch builder, I am more disappointed in the lack of detail parts. Gold Medal and few others are beginning to fill that niche, but I would like to see manufacturers provide more roof top equipment as well as more junk (clutter) and assorted details at reasonable prices. Except for Grant Line, is anyone making N scale windows? Local hobby shops seldom stock detail parts. Is there a one-stop catalog out there besides Walthers that lists currently available detail parts?
Need much more variety of N scale houses. After much searching I had to settle for kitbashing Model Power houses. Just as soon as I installed them on the layout, along comes an announcement from Atlas that they will introduce N scale bungalows. Oh well. DPM had a great idea with the modular buildings but it would be great to offer a variety of facades and accessories to build unique structures. Additional varieties of N scale people would be great. I get jealous looking at some of the HO layouts and all the variety of people and animals. There is a layout in the Caboose Hobbies store in Denver that features the antics of group (herd? gaggle?) of escaped monkeys running amuck in the town and local countryside. It’s fun and uses a lot of figure types unavailable in N scale.
I wish walthers would come out more structures in nscale. everytime i read modelrailer or any other magazine it always in ho scale. please think about us nscalers when you come out with new products. I would like to see some of the ho structures in nscale. there is a market for these kits also. I hope some from read this fourm.
JIM
“California Craftsman” ranch style tract homes with detached garages (need 20+)
Recent “McMansions” for the newly redevloped areas (need 15+)
Modern warehouse/retail (thanks Nu-Line, a few more would be nice)
Modern roadway bridges (Nu-Line, someday…)
1960+ fast food stops Mickeys, the King, Taco Bel (In-nOut would be just too cool)
“New Deco” dinner style resturaunts like “Norm’s” or “Bob’s Big Boy”
Traditional dinner resturaunts like Shoneys, Dennys, CoCo’s and the like
Nscale people gott eat too…
Something I’d like to see more of is industry groups. There should be more choices in the loads in and empty out idea than just the coal mine to electric coal burner. I’m using the simulation in Railroad Tycoon as a guide. A grain farm with grain bins feeds cattle that gets sent to the meat producer to make burgers for Mcdonald. Steel & produce go to a cannery. Milk goes to a processing plant. A sawmoll sends logs to a lumber mill to make furniture. Chips go to a paper mill, the paper goes to a printer that produces MR.
There haven’t been any major new kits come along in quite some time. Even the big boys, like Lifelike & Model Power & Bachmann are missing. Con cor must be sleeping in Arizona. Even some of the old but good kits may be hard to find now? I hope not!