It seems that at the local Hobby Shop, which is very well stocked I might add, the number of structures available in N scale is a fraction of what is available in HO. It is pretty frustrating, for example, to see a much larger variety of kits from DPM in HO than in N. Is there no end in sight for someone filling a need of Quality N scale structures at a reasonable price?
Gregg is right, things are looking better for N scalers all the time. A few are finally starting to take the N marked seriously. Hopefully Walthers and others will follow suit soon and catch up to companies like DPM who are serving N scale needs.
It is also true that many hobby shops just do not take N scale seriously. I have a locl shop that I have been loyal to for years, but I have recently stopped shopping there. Why? Because, while they used to have a fair supply of N scale and have promised for years to increase their stock in N scale, they have let that stock drop steadily over the past year. Now they simply do not have the stock to help any serious N scaler. It is sad that they are missing out on this marked. Fortunately for me I found another shop in my area that caters specifically to N scale. Unfortunately no all are so lucky.
Ron
Lisa, there has been a lot of griping about that subject, but mainly focused at Walthers and its Cornerstone line. Walthers badly misgauged the N scale market, overproducing some models and greatly underproducing others, and lately just don’t seem to bother with new N much at all. On the other hand, DPM makes almost as many N kits as HO kits - perhaps it’s your local hobby shop that isn’t stocking them. There are others out there though, aside from the European lines like Faller-Pola, Vollmer, and Kibri. American Model Builders Laserkits are excellent and there are quite a few different kits available. Northeastern Scale Models has some great kits as well. Pikestuff has just announced it will make its HO line in N scale as well, so things are looking up. Just wish I could afford one of Art Fahie’s (Bar Mills) Idaho Hotel Kits, but at $63.95 at Rio Grande Hobbies, it’s just too much.
There is actually a fairly decent selection of N-scale structures out there (still not as much as HO). But you would not know it by walking into most hobby stores. I have found them on various internet hobby stores, and you really have to “surf” around a lot to find them.
However, something still has to be done about the prices…
Yes, something DOES need to be done about the prices. Also in answer to Gregg, the last time I checked on the DPM web site, there are quite a few structures available in HO that are not available in N scale, many of which I wi***hat would be offered in N scale. Walthers seems to have the attitude that N scalers only want large structures that take up a lot of room. I would give anything for items like small town/rural town buildings, farm structures, buildings typical of the 1940’s-60’s suburbs, etc. Thanks.
I would have to argue the “Art Fahie’s (Bar Mills) Idaho Hotel Kits, but at $63.95 at Rio Grande Hobbies, it’s just too much” statement. This kit is basically one of the first high end craftsman kits made for N Scale. It is similar in quality to a Fine Scale Miniatures or BTS kit that you might find in HO for $200 or more. Heck, the HO version is only a littl eover $100.
You may think that just becuase it’s a laser kit, that it might not be as detailed as it actually is. Let me tell you, as a builder of many craftsman kits, and the author of the manual for the Saco River/Bar Mills Idaho Hotel, I can assure you that it’s as a much a quality kit as any HO FSM, Sierra, or BTS kit!!! The best part is, it’s in n-scale!
I will say, it’s realy easy to put together, but looks superb when done! For those of you looking for more than just a kit, it even comes in a handmade wooden box!
I am sure it is a great kit. What I am saying is I CANNOT AFFORD IT!!! I can’t afford George Sellios stuff either.
As someone who is modeling the southern Appalacians
(don’t think I spelled that right) I know what you mean about rural bldgs. You might want to explore the joys of kitbashing and scratch building.