Hey I like retro as much as the next guy but my layout is modern day. I have gone through Walthers’ catalog and the pickings of modern day looking buildings–restaurants, gas stations, etc are slim.
Can anyone recommend any manufacturers–maybe small scale–that are producing modern day type HO structures?
Since you did not mention industrial buildings, I presume you are somewhat satisfied with that (thanks to Pikestuff, Walthers, Great West Models, and the Huge offerings from Nu Line). OK, for retail establishments you can go European (Heljan, Model Power, Kirbi etal have some modern-enough looking establishments [well, maybe 1980s style]); then you can do like me and modernize the multitude of brick retail structures out there (several articles in RMC have discussed this, but basically you toss the heavy front window/door, and replace it with sheets of clear styrene with thin strips of styrene (perhaps adding a wider horizontal bar at the bottom of the store window) cemented carefully to it (neatness counts) - careful masking, some nice thin coats of aluminum or brown paint, a little weathering, and perhaps an airconditioner or roll-down grate, siamese connection, gas vent, etc. -off you go.
Finally, you scratchbuild - hunt down some past issues of RMC where Frank Cicero (I believe that’s the correct name) has written several articles over the past few years about building Modern Day structures (from Queens NY - I easily reconginze similar prototypes in NW Queens). This seems probably the best way to get modern-era town-house condos and row-house strips - easier than kit-fiddling.
I guess the laser-cut world is probably a good place to search nowadays too (as evidence by a recent article on designing a Denny’s in HO, and having it laser-cut to order), although nothing comes to mind right now.
I have a few basic structures that are like so 60’s man! (AHM Fuel Oil and Sand for example)
I have been building a food distribution outfit with Walthers Modulars these last 4 weeks.
1- It will get expensive.
2- You will have LOTS of parts left over
3- How best to use the matrix of parts in your new structure.
The modulars did a good job allowing me to design and build what I believe is a unique building for a specific industry. But the costs has already far outstripped regular kits and I seriously doubt that I will be using that system again in the future.
let’s face it , modeling current day is almost as much a niche market as modeling 100 years ago .
If you look around most cities and towns, they ARE your grandfather’s structures for the most part. They’re even MY grandfather’s structures. At least out here.
Tom [}:)]
Today’s structures are a mixture of old and new so you don’t need to have all modern day buildings. Just sprinkling in a few modern buildings with the older stuff will create the feel of a present day town. Fast food outlets probably say modern day as much as anything. I have a Bachmann KFC on my shelves of unbuilt structures. I think I have seen chains represented as well.
I’m glad someone brought this topic up, because I am in the same boat! I’ve not been able to find squat for modern buildings. I am looking forward to some info. from this post!
I agree that a modern layout would have a mix of both modern and older buildings but I also think that there is a lack of modern structures especially commercial buildings.
Pelle Søeborg has several modern fast food and motel buildings on his layout but those were all custom cut on a CNC machine.
At one time I found a website that had a modern Holiday Inn Express motel-type ho scale model they were selling but I can’t find a link to it now. Maybe someone knows what I’m talking about and has the link.
Other than options like that, there is probably only a handful of modern structures available.
I agree with modeling current day almost being a niche.
Bryan
I Believe the motel you’re talking about may be the Summit Motel made by SummitUSA it was mentioned in this month’s issue of MR. It looks very modern. It reminds me of a Super 8 motel. Sadly modern era modelling does seem to get crapped on alot.
Yup you’re right.
I went to bed mad last night because I couldn’t find the site after looking for it for almost an hour but I got up this morning and found it within five minutes.
http://www.summit-customcuts.com/pages/1/index.htm
I haven’t seen this months MR yet but I’m almost positive we are talking about the same place.
Bryan
The problem is most current companies either require licensing or will not allow models(MickeyD’S) because of the liability.
You can kitbash a lot of modern buildings. Put some false fronts on DPM buildings. Most modern buildings are simplified with little detail. I think some one makes a Denny’s style kit, you could get a couple of those and change there layout or roof detail to create several different fast food establishments.
pikstuff is good works on mine