I’m getting aggravated with Walthers and others because many of their structures that fit the era and location that I’m modeling are only available as “Built-ups.” At this point, I can not get myself to purchase a prebuilt structure. Hey, I’m not ready to start scratch building my structures, but to buy something that you just plop down on your layout seems to take away from the hobby.
Just curious if others are also frustrated by this trend toward pre-built.
I don’t like the the idea of pre-builts because if you paint them they are easier if you paint them in pieces. But if it fits my era and it’s the best I can do, I’ll go for it.
I am working on my very first structure kits this week and there is no way I would pass on all this fun. If that sounded sarcastic it was not meant that way. Sometimes I get aggravated and do some low muttering but I am always surprised at how fast the time flies when I am working on them.
Since I like to kitbash just about every structure kit I buy [to make it NOT look like “just another walthers whatever”] I am definitely NOT inclined to buy them.
I purchase prebuilt structures from time to time. Sometimes they are just not availible or OOP. (Ebay)
Sometimes the structure I find appealing might have a million gazillion parts that might take me 10 years to assemble and it might not come out right.
RTR cars? Sure. RTR locos okay… why not RTR Structures? Sure… kill that awful garish color with something else and maybe change the really loud decals and signage for something more appropriate. No problem.
I have two, a church and a house. By the time I seriously looked at them, I had been up to my neck in kits for two months. Working long hours to get the layout done, I got fed up with the kits.
No regrets. Over time, I’ll try to make them look weathered, and add details as I think of them. I’m not in a rush any more because I have a passable layout to play with.
noo, thats all i have to say, and all thats needed
Like selector, if its what you want, its a fast way to make a little head way or finish a scene before company. Kits are fun, but I won’t live long enough to build everything I want.
Nope! pre-built, well, it just isn’t me. I would rather have a less detailed and not quite exact structure that I made myself from scratch, or at least kit bashed, and maybe a kit or two (maybe 3) than buy something that has had all the fun already taken out. If I want a plastic looking roundy round, I will visit Santa Land at the HugeCo stores at the Mall. "Ooooohhhh, look at the cute little train! Wow, they have Santa driving it… [:D]
I too can see the benefits to having a pre-built kit. Just like locomotives or rolling stock, any modeler can choose to update, backdate, repaint, redecal…the list goes on. I’ll admit, sometimes the instant gratification of being able to fill the void in scenery with a structure already built is tempting. It can sure make operating a lot more fun instead of spotting cars at a blank spot on plywood. I think that on balance, I’ll use a pre-built kit if I’ve already planned on the same similar industry for that place on my railroad and use my time left over on something I consider more enjoyable. As always, if one is not available, then there is always the old fashioned way.
If they are cheap enough i will by them. But i will enjoy i nice kit from time to time[:D] Tim
If they’re the type of building that I need, don’t cost too much, and there isn’t a kit version available, sure. The constraints of my layout would almost certainly require that they be modified, so it’s not like I’m missing out on the construction.
I modify Transformers toys. I think I can handle a static building model. 
If they fit my layout and aren’t too expensive, then I might buy them. Sometimes you have to take shortcuts to get the layout moving along. I don’t think I’ll every give up on kit building or scratchbuilding, but I don’t want to run a plywood central forever either.
Enjoy
Paul
I will ALWAYS ALMOST EVER buy a prebuilt over a kit. I have the skill in model building of a young child.
Yes, all I have right now are pre-built. With winter coming on and having to stay inside more, I will be building some kits.
Stan.
NEVER! At a model railroad convention last spring I won a Walthers “built - up” as they call it, Dayton Machine Shop. Nice structure, but I don’t have any use for it. The box it came it is HUGE! About a foot square and 8 inches high. A kit of the same building would be half as big. I’m going to see if I can sell it locally, as offering it on eBay would result in too high postage charges to make it worth while.
What a waste!
Bob Boudreau
Yes,I would buy them…Also Model Power makes pre-built buildings…
Folks like 'em or hate 'em I fear that is the next hobby trend…I believe this is a good step and one that should help those that doesn’t have the time or the skill needed to built kits …Also there are folks like me that has lost the use of one hand and has a whale of a time changing out couplers welcomes them…
No I won’t buy prebuilt structures I think building structures is one of the best parts of the hobby…Cox 47
I’m afraid I couldn’t bring myself to buy one. I may not have many structures but what I do have I totally enjoyed every #"!! minute building them.
Bob
I don’t see the point in buying NEW pre-built structures. They take out all the fun of building and cost a whole lot more. However, i do buy pre-owned structures because they are a great value.