Hello all. I know that Bachmann’s “Plasticville” kits aren’t that nice or fancy for that matter. But I was wondering does any one have any and if so, any pictures of them on your layout. (If you do have them on your layout)
Sure. Here’s an old tower. It was originally (yuck!) bright safety yellow. This was about the first weathering job I did. There’s no scenery yet, and no ballast on the tracks.
I’ve also got a row of small retail buildings - Post Office, Supermarket and Drug Store, I think. At the moment, they are placeholders while I decide what to do with the area. BXCARMIKE posted a picture of his Plasticville Supermarket, with full detailing. It became a model that anyone would be proud of.
One pic, the barn. I bought a couple for the Grandkids to put together. After some weathering, they are not too bad.
I’ve got some plasticville and have not gotten into much detailing yet. That will come later but as for now I’m satisfied as my layout is more “toy like from the '50’s”
Jim
I don’t have any Plasticville, but I do have a few “cheapies” some even came assembled. With some weathering, even just an overspray to take the shine off and fade the color, they don’t look bad.
Boy! does this bring back memories! My first layout (age 12) was full of plasticville structures. Plasticville kits were all I could afford at the time. However, they were a big improvement over my previous “Lego” built houses! I don’t know what ever became of them? It’s hard to believe that this kits are still available. I’m sure plenty of Model Railroaders can credit Plasticville for their first modeling (stuctures) attempt…
Dear MisterBeasley,
Nice job weathering an otherwise “cheapy-looking” model; an especially good job for a first time effort.
Also, I was intrigued by the locomotive in the background. Is that an Alco in Erie livery by any chance? I am doing a free-lanced switching layout, a line that which would have been abandoned by the Erie- Erie Lackawanna (1970’s) but was taken over by the businesses that wanted to still be served by rail. They purchased the right-of-way from Erie and some of their locomotives. The livery would be a knock-off (or partially painted over version) of the Erie. I am using SW1500’s for this line.
Can you show me a photo of what you have there?
Thanks
Tom
Yes, it is an Alco S1 in Erie colors. I don’t have a formal portrait, but I did take a couple of shots shortly after I got it. I installed a decoder and replaced the weak incandescent light with LEDs. I installed the cab LED where it belongs, instead of where they put it in the middle of the hood with a plastic light pipe.
And y’know what? Up above in this first picture, there’s the edge of a Plasticville building, and a Bachmann/Plasticville pedestrian overpass. The Overpass is a modern model, one of the first structures I bought, because I needed it to space the tracks below. The next shot is a cab-end view of #308.
I just checked Trainworld and they have Alco S1’s for $29.99 right now. You’d have to call to check the road numbers. I got this one at my LHS, new-in-the-box, but officially used because someone else bought it and never used it.
There are hundreds of them available on eBay. You can probably find pictures of the complete series. They’re very basic and toylike, but can be assembled by a 10-year old and look good with Lionel.
Plasticville is great for learning painting techniques. My son & I first attempt on the schoolhouse - we needed a combined police and paramedic station!
Inexpensive + easy to build + play with painting techniques = instant fun!
Derek
Here is a link to some Plasticville information: [8D]
http://www.plasticvilleusa.org/plasticville/home.html
Jim
I still have a bunch of Plasticville buildings from the 1960’s, when I first got started in model railroading. They’re waiting to get placed on a layout I am building now.
With some paint and detailing, they can become great little structures for your town. I used some Woodland Scenics rub on letters to give the Supermarket model a local flavor. I also painted it black and white in an Art Deco motif to give it some historical character. Adding window details and some roof details completes the model. Placing it on your layout with a parking lot and some figures makes an entire scene.
Houses can be easily modified with paint and the addition of downspouts, cellar doors, figures, vehicles, lawn furniture, etc.
These little kits are a great way to stretch your imagination and creativity along with your dollars.
Have fun with them.