Oversized items

[basementcalling]

A couple posts in the refinery thread got me to thinking about our lack of extra details for industries that need tanks and pipes. We have few add on sets like those Walthers makes for the HO versions of their Cornerstone refinery and blast furnace, but would buying the HO versions be worthwhile in N?  How big can pipes, dust blowers, tanks, and other scene sealer details be and still look acceptable? Often its the bracing or railings that just dont look right when oversized.

Thoughts?

[thomasjmdavis]

I've suggested to manufacturers (but no one has ever run with the idea) that for major industries (steel mills, oil refineries, that sort of thing) the best option for making an N scale version of their HO product would be to provide the HO scale tanks and blast furnaces, and just make N scale add on details.  Most HO structures have been compressed, or the specific prototype was selected because it was a small example.  Anyone who has driven by a major steel plant or oil refinery knows that oil storage tanks substantially larger than a boxcar, and that blast furnaces tower above the railcars that service them.  There are ladders and stairways to be had if you search enough websites, and piping and trusswork can always be made up from styrene rod and shapes- so it might be worthwhile to search eBay for some "junk" HO kits and parts to provide the larger components.

I personally wish that someone would bring out a line of realistic brick industrial buildings in N scale.  I used to own a building in a Chicago industrial area- it was the smallest in the neighborhood- about 50x100 feet.  The smallest buildings in the area that had rail access were 100x200 (7.5"x15" in N) and several stories tall.  A "large" structure in the Walthers Cornerstone series is 4.5"x7.5" (Roberts Printing Co.)- less than 1/3 of the realistic footprint for such a structure based on my experience in Chicago.  I've begun piecing together "modulars" to try to get some larger buildings, but (of course, its a law of nature) as soon as I began my first project, Walthers stopped making their modulars.  Of course, you can also kitbash together several Walthers or DPM buildings to get to something that has a realistic proportion.

I do give Walthers credit for at least making the doors and windows a credible size- for whatever reason, many early "N scale" buildings scaled out to 2000 square feet, but had windows that were 9' or more tall (an unusual combination).  And the buildings they do make in the Cornerstone series do have the general lines of real buildings in the US- so you can put together a reasonable looking light industrial area.

[nsbob]

At the N Scale Convention in Roanoke, I was very impressed with the industrial structures and accessories of Kenray Models.  They currently make some great looking models for steel manufacturing scenes.  I don't think I will make it to the N-Scale Weekend at Bedford/Everett, but I see they are scheduled to attend.  I would recommend that someone talk to them about expanding their line to provide additional N scale industrial models.

[glakedylan]

just my own opinion on the steel mill modeling

the things needed to do it well are way too costly
be they from kenray or peachcreek
not to mention finally having a larry car and coke facility locomotive available in N scale
but again very pricey via shapeways
at least for me, they are beyond what I am willing to pay to model a believable steel mill

fwiw

kindest regards
Gary

[basementcalling]

I'm wishing there were more piping options available for the paper mill scene I am developing. Most mills I've seen are a true maze of pipes and tanks of  various sizes.

[peteski]

I'm wishing there were more piping options available for the paper mill scene I am developing. Most mills I've seen are a true maze of pipes and tanks of  various sizes.

You can always scratch-build some more pipes. 

[Pennsy]

What about the Greenmax  kits ? Especially the factory building with all the cool things.

http://onlineshop.modellbahnunion.com/Modelrailway-accessories/N-gauge/Greenmax-buildings-layout-accessories/Factory.htm?shop=union_e&SessionId=&a=article&ProdNr=GM2144&t=27&c=160&p=160

They also have several add-on kits of accessories. Check them out.

Jim

[basementcalling]

You can always scratch-build some more pipes. 

What kind of low life do you take me for, Peteski?   

No parts sprue is safe in my basement.

[basementcalling]

What about the Greenmax  kits ? Especially the factory building with all the cool things.

http://onlineshop.modellbahnunion.com/Modelrailway-accessories/N-gauge/Greenmax-buildings-layout-accessories/Factory.htm?shop=union_e&SessionId=&a=article&ProdNr=GM2144&t=27&c=160&p=160

They also have several add-on kits of accessories. Check them out.

Jim

Ah, yes, Jim. The factory piping sets, 37-1, 37-2, and 37-3. I have just a few of those downstairs.

[peteski]

What kind of low life do you take me for, Peteski?   

No parts sprue is safe in my basement.

LOL!  Good man!

[Rossford Yard]

I personally wish that someone would bring out a line of realistic brick industrial buildings in N scale.  I used to own a building in a Chicago industrial area- it was the smallest in the neighborhood- about 50x100 feet.  The smallest buildings in the area that had rail access were 100x200 (7.5"x15" in N) and several stories tall.  A "large" structure in the Walthers Cornerstone series is 4.5"x7.5" (Roberts Printing Co.)- less than 1/3 of the realistic footprint for such a structure based on my experience in Chicago.  I've begun piecing together "modulars" to try to get some larger buildings, but (of course, its a law of nature) as soon as I began my first project, Walthers stopped making their modulars.  Of course, you can also kitbash together several Walthers or DPM buildings to get to something that has a realistic proportion.

Why not just kit bash a few of the normal Walthers kits together to make them bigger?  I did a lot of that on my old urban layout, usually leaving the back to be built with styrene. Over the years, Art Curran of MR did lots of articles (with some reprinted in book form) of how to kit bash larger structures.  Easier than modulars, and cheaper.  I have even used two of the Roberts, American hardware, Vulcan, etc., AND added sections from other makers, since many old factories are actually added on to over the years.

[tehachapifan]

I thought this was going to be about what seems to be an increased amount of items that are being advertised as being N scale but are actually as large as 1/144. Something I'm not really happy about....especially if the exact scale is not being specified in the listing or add and is something where the scale difference would be quite noticeable on a layout. However, that said, something like a refinery in 1/44 would probably be just fine.

[Ngineer]

I've begun piecing together "modulars" to try to get some larger buildings, but (of course, its a law of nature) as soon as I began my first project, Walthers stopped making their modulars.

Why on earth did they do that? Didn't they sell enough?

Javier

[peteski]

Why on earth did they do that? Didn't they sell enough?

Javier

I didn't know that they discontinued their modular pieces but I'm not surprised. Those were IMO extremely overpriced (much more so than other Walthers structure kits).  I did buy bunch of some of the modulars (like roof vents, etc.) when Walthers had them on sale for something like $3 per package!  That was probably the cloesout sale. 

[Pennsy]

Exactly, Walthers originally released their modular parts in packages that were way overpriced, poorly packaged, and very limited selection. With the poor sales, Walthers dumped the remaining packs on their sales site.

Too bad they didn't stick with it and release a little more variety like their HO stuff at a better price and better pricing.

Jim