New kit ideas (Downtown Deco)

[downtowndeco]

Hi guys. I'm always looking for new kit ideas so I thought I'd put out the word here. Our next project should be something smaller rather than larger, brick, stone or stucco (or a combination) and not terribly region specific. Something with a cool roof line & plenty of character would be great. If you have any sugestions I'm all ears. Cheers!

Randy Pepprock
Downtown Deco
www.downtowndeco.com

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Nothing "cute".

I know you said you're looking for something small, but I'd love to see something like this:
http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=qjdxk68mm2h0&scene=47333404&lvl=1&sty=b&where1=N%20Haven%20St%2C%20Baltimore%2C%20MD%2021205

Or just the parts to put it together.

[tom mann]

Nothing "cute".

I know you said you're looking for something small, but I'd love to see something like this:
http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=qjdxk68mm2h0&scene=47333404&lvl=1&sty=b&where1=N%20Haven%20St%2C%20Baltimore%2C%20MD%2021205

Or just the parts to put it together.

Ed, is the lot by the Allied trucks a "safe" place to park to get pictures?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I don't think it'd be too bad. But like most urban railfanning, I wouldn't suggest going alone (hint hint).

[sirenwerks]

Nothing "cute".

I know you said you're looking for something small, but I'd love to see something like this:
http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=qjdxk68mm2h0&scene=47333404&lvl=1&sty=b&where1=N%20Haven%20St%2C%20Baltimore%2C%20MD%2021205

Or just the parts to put it together.

That's definitely a call for a soundly engineered modular system (as in, not the Walthers way). It's a shame WS got ahold of DPM. We'll never see anything new out of them in terms of structures in N. Would be nice to have their full HO modular line in N. At least that would be a start...

Wally's stab at the modular way, IMO, just put a bad taste in manufacturer's and consumer's mouth alike for the product type. They put out a crap product and not many bought it, because it was crap, and those who bought it had crap on their hands. And Wally, of course, had the knee jerk reaction that N scalers aren't supporting its efforts by buying its crap.

It's a shame N-2-It disappeared. While I didn't exactly like the concept of masonry & window glass in one piece, the product line was extensive enough to create a good amount of variety.

[wm3798]

You scaredy cat suburbanites crack me up.  That's located in between Highlandtown and Greektown on Eastern Avenue.  It's a pretty safe neighborhood overall...  although anymore you might want to take your Spanish/English phrase book.  It's in no way one of B'more's notorious war zones.

Heck, if there's a real estate sign anywhere on the building, you could probably call the agent and get inside posing as a potential developer.

As for me, it would be nice to have good sized urban depot that could be easily adapted to just about any railroad, you know, something like this...




Oh, and can you have it ready in about 2 months? ;D  (I have a copy of the MR drawings if that helps...)

Lee

[tom mann]

I don't think it'd be too bad. But like most urban railfanning, I wouldn't suggest going alone (hint hint).

Well, maybe this fall.  It's just been so busy lately that I don't even know what trains look like anymore. :

That scene would make for some awesome photos.

[wm3798]

Are you familiar with Jon Grant's HO "Sweet Home Chicago" layout?  It reminds me of this very scene.  He's a regular poster over on the MR board out of the UK, I believe.

[tom mann]

Are you familiar with Jon Grant's HO "Sweet Home Chicago" layout?  It reminds me of this very scene.  He's a regular poster over on the MR board out of the UK, I believe.

Yes, he used to be a member here too.  He does nice work.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Yep. That's why I'm strongly thinking of including it in the basement.

[up1950s]

Hi guys. I'm always looking for new kit ideas so I thought I'd put out the word here. Our next project should be something smaller rather than larger, brick, stone or stucco (or a combination) and not terribly region specific. Something with a cool roof line & plenty of character would be great. If you have any sugestions I'm all ears. Cheers!

Randy Pepprock
Downtown Deco
www.downtowndeco.com

Armory , Church , and Firehouse would fit that bill one way or another . Many found new uses , many are generic .



 

[sizemore]

I'd have to lobby for something a little more late 60's/70's through today and that would be a National Guard building office/depot. I know for Maryland they all look pretty similar and date maybe even earlier than the 60's but I am not certain. For myself I know I'd have one or two.

The S.

[Ian MacMillan]

One of the smallest right off the bat I can think of is your HO sidewalks. They would be great in N. Also Addams Ave IV and V would be nice.

However, for me, what I would really like to see is some concrete/brick curtain walls so I can build more large structures for my urban layout.

I know it may be a large change to the mold for the shipping flat, but I've always wished the 2nd floor arch windows were the smaller arch windows like on floors 3 and 4. Also laser cut wood to fit the smaller arches would be nice for a boarded up look. Its my favorite kit so far and I have used it in several locations.

[ljudice]

How about McMansion style crammed together modern homes...  You could sell them in 3, 6, 10 packs for placement in their postage stamp yards...

I'm serious - it's a part of the American scene, it's not been done by anyone.  You could do a west/southwest style and a northeast colonial style.

[wm3798]

And they'd be authentic because they'd be made of plastic.  It would be up to the individual modeler, though, to have them poorly constructed... ;D