I am looking for some advice/opinions on the HO scale buildings/structures by Design Preservation sold by toytrainheaven.com While they look good on the site and are priced very low. Is this the company known as DPM and would they be ok for a intermediate modeler[?] My guess is they could be pretty nice with some weathering added. What can you add to this[?] Thanks in advance.[:D]
I checked the site, and yes they are the DPM kits. I must say the prices are very good - but take note that many of those items are labled “back order.” That could be good or bad depending on what Toy Train Heaven’s back order policy is - be sure to check that before ordering something labled “back order.” Also, check some past threads to see what people have to say about TTH. I ordered a few times from them years and years ago and it was a smooth process.
DPM kits, in my opinion, are great for folks at all levels. You can go very simple - slap the four walls together, stick on the roof and presto - a building. Or you can move up a notch or two and paint the window/door trim and morter. Or you could spend days and days detailing, adding interiors, kitbashing etc etc. The only down side to DPM kits are that the walls that will form a butt joint need to be filed flat - all walls are angled to help in getting the things out of the mold. You don’t have to, but they sure look better - and it ain’t all that hard to do with a large file.
I really don’t think you can go wrong with a couple of 'em. I’ve got about dozen on my “to do” list!
Dave
I like the DPM buildings. I have 3 or 4 of the “Modular” buildings, and several of the smaller “city” size buildings. They are good quality. When building the modulars, some modelers add internal bracing to keep the walls from bowing, but I find this unnecessary (maybe because my buildings are not so big). For the city buildings, I do file the edges to a nice 90 degree edge, makes for nice looking joints. I rattle paint the building to a nice brick looking color (or siding color, if it’s a “wood” building), then I brush paint any trim colors. After that, I weather it with some colored chalk, and seal with Dullcote. Then the “glass” goes in for the windows, and it’s ready for detailing or installation. I haven’t gotten around to any interior detailing yet, as I need to figure out what businesses are in each building. Anyway, I hope this helps.
BTW, Smalltown USA makes similar buildings, gives a little more variety to choose from.
Brad
I buy from TTH a lot. Nothing but good things to say about them. And yes, they do have good prices. I have only one DPM structure. I liked the sturdiness of the model, but at least the one I bought had only a thin styrene sheet for the roof. Since most of us look down on our layouts, roofs are crucial. I’m not very artistic, so I had a heck of a time making that roof look decent… which is why I never bought another.
Thanks for the responses guys. [:D] I feel better now about ordering from TTH. [^]Those DPM kits looked like they showed some potential. Thanks also for the tips on dealing with the lack of squareness on the walls and ends.[8D]