A Modular Wall System Mystery: just what did I buy?

[Cajonpassfan]

Just recently I acquired a plastic baggie full of clear plastic modular wall, door and window castings. The detailing looks really nice at first glance and so I figured I could paint them and assemble them into some unique industrial or railroad structures. Little did I know what I bought. Turns out, there  are 37 of them, and each one is different in some way even though the module size is consistent. See pics. Different doors, bracing, glazed openings, etc. 

So I’m thinking someone made these many variations to create masters for casting multiples of each? And how would one go about using these as such? Make a dam around each, create a silicon mold, and pour clear resin in to reproduce the parts? This is not a project I *need* right now, but the detail and design is exquisite so I’d hate to just put it in a box never to be seen again like some of my other “projects”

Thoughts, ideas, interest in taking some of this on?
Otto K.

[peteski]

I have a sample package of those (purchased in 1999).  The molding quality was excellent, but decorating the pieces was a real pain (especially the window frames and muntins).  Friend of mine actually built a curtain-wall factory building using those pieces. It looks ok.

The variety of different pieces was also excellent, but unfortunately this modular system didn't take off. The name of this modular system was N-TO-IT and the proprietor was Leo Von Kallen in Arizona.

I guess you could use them as masters and cast your own in clear resin  But since the back is not flat, open mold will not work (unless you modify the original pieces.

[Cajonpassfan]

Peteski, you’re a veritable repository of N scale knowledge!
So I bought a sample pack?
Thanks, Otto

[sirenwerks]

Um, didn't take off? No, the manufacturer, who actually worked at Bachmann, had to take care of his dying mother so production was ceased. And all this happened - release to stoppage - in fairly short order. It wasn't that the product never caught on, between the quick cut off of availability and the crappy marketing that left most people not hearing about the product until after it had been stopped, the product never had time to be absorbed by the market

[wcfn100]

We talked about it some a few years ago.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=39305.msg480182#msg480182

Jason

[peteski]

Peteski, you’re a veritable repository of N scale knowledge!
So I bought a sample pack?
Thanks, Otto

Yes I did, but I'm not as good as others as a source of info - I just know that the modular system didn't take off (because I  was not able  to order more). I wasn't intimately familiar with the details of its demise. But now, thanks for the srenworks we know.

I wonder what happened to the molds?  Still, the  prospect of painting all the non-glass are was is a bit daunting.  Especially the thin window muntins which do not stand proud very far from the "glass" areas.  This would be perfect candidate for either Tampo or direct-to-substrate inkjet decoration.  I suspect that if these were sold predecorated, they would be quite successful (even in today's world where modelers like their stuff RTR).

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks for the references, guys, I obviously missed the previous discussion. Interesting idea. Yea, I can see how difficult it would be to do the close to scale mullions and muntins. The owner before me obviously tried one panel and gave up. Still, I’m fascinated by the variety and possibilities, not that I need another project
Otto K.

[joelm]

Otto: I have plenty of silicone for molds and a good source for resin. Bring them by on Sunday so we can talk about molding options. Joel

[SandyEggoJake]

Still, the  prospect of painting all the non-glass are was is a bit daunting.  Especially the thin window muntins which do not stand proud very far from the "glass" areas.  This would be perfect candidate for either Tampo or direct-to-substrate inkjet decoration.

It will drive you a bit loony, but those muntins might be best painted after application and trim of a spray-on liquid mask. 

[peteski]

It will drive you a bit loony, but those muntins might be best painted after application and trim of a spray-on liquid mask.

Too bad they were not molded in deeper relief - painting would have been much easier. Another possibility would be to photoetch all the various window frames (in close-to-scale width), then simply paint the etched parts and stick them to the clear pieces. Spray adhesive (on the back of the photoetched pieces would probably do the job.  Much much easier than any other method.

[mplsjct]

So, I didn’t read the link to the other forum, but I remember there was an article in N Scale magazine after these came out, the author built a substantial sized building using these, kinda looked like the Walthers Brach’s Building when he was done, just a lot bigger.

I’m all for modular pieces, but I was not pleased with how Walthers didn’t let you see what you were purchasing with their modulars, prefer the way DPM packages theirs.

[RRRover]

I have a large bag of these I bought at Roy's in Mesa AZ. Factory decoration would have helped immensely. At some point I'll try something with them.

[NtheBasement]

I used a colored sharpie on similar mullions - worked great.

[jugtown modeler]

So I’m thinking someone made these many variations to create masters for casting multiples of each? And how would one go about using these as such? Make a dam around each, create a silicon mold, and pour clear resin in to reproduce the parts? This is not a project I *need* right now, but the detail and design is exquisite so I’d hate to just put it in a box never to be seen again like some of my other “projects”

Thoughts, ideas, interest in taking some of this on?
Otto K.

A quick follow up for anyone else that may have stumbled into finding these modular pieces. Thanks to @peteski for pointing me to this thread which answered some of my questions about where, when and why these modular pieces exist. The OP shows the actual commercial piece varieties. Not masters. I found the N-Scale Mag article on Ebay, May/June 1998, and bought it for any advice they offered back then.

They were called "N-2-It Fine N-Scale Building Components" modular pieces and there are indeed quite a few varieties. I am reasonably sure they are injection molded. As several have noted, they are finely detailed. Crisp brick, fine muntins and detailing in doors, offer some intriguing opportunities to custom model a structure. Designed to be made into a curtain wall type structure, the only part missing in my batch are the strips that would tie the edges together and possibly between floors(?) depending on if they were concrete or brick pilasters. I am experimenting with a laser cut piece to fill/join the verticals. Will be tough to match the brick. As noted, the down side is painting the window areas with such fine details. I am experimenting with re-useable masks and some kind of "pad" stamp for the muntins.

From the little information I could find, they were created by Leo Von Kallen of Tempe, AZ. (I have his card with my lot) Also known as Leonard A Kamradt. He served in the Navy and was a tool maker. He passed away in 2018.  I am guessing that these were going to be his entry into the model railroad business. It would have been nice if he had the chance to follow through with this.

Hope it's okay to bring up this old thread but seemed pertinent to add here versus a new thread.

[JMaurer1]

Injection molded...there's some money invested for those molds. I LOVED the building module kits (DPM more than Walthers) and wish they were still available but like so many other things in N scale (especially if Walthers is involved). These look like they would have been even better/nicer than the DPM and have more door and window variety. Sigh...