I want to create a reasonable representation of this building for the structure challenge:




I was considering either DPM or Walthers modular systems, but the DPM seem to cost too much. Or, I was considering scratchbuilding. I am not too familiar with the walthers modular system or how the parts go together, or if creating a structure that resembles this would even be reasonable. I understand the wondow arrangement would be somewhat different, and that I would have to substitute brick for stone. So, for those familiar with the walthers system, what parts/kits would work best to represent this building? I am thinking about a space of 6" by 14" on my layout. Again, I am not looking for an exact replica, but something that captures the feel. That includes - the peaked roof visible from the front, the loading area on the lower level, and the best way of representing the window arrangement.

Thanks,

I can't get to the full size photos right now for some reason, but I would think that Walthers Modulars would allow you to get reasonably close.

There is a template for some of their parts available on their website, so you could start with a mock-up to see what you think. The actual parts go together pretty well but I am finding that filing the horizontal joints in necessary to avoid a fairly visible joint between floors. The parts are well formed with very little flash, and other than the aforementioned horizontal joints, everything else seems to fit well.

For that building, you'd need mostly "small windows in walls", plus a bunch of the "wall columns and caps". You could fabricate your own roof and foundation (the roof because flat styrene is cheaper than Walthers roof, and the foundation because it looks like that building has been built into the side of a hill, so Walthers parts would not really add anything). I think you'd still need some Evergreen styrene sheets for that front entrance, and possibly in different brick patterns to fill in some windows down the side.

I do find the DPM modular parts to be a bit on the expensive side. To sway you even more towards Walthers, I think that the sale on Modulars is continuing - check with Josh (Trucklover) to see what he says.

Hope that helps.

Andrew

Hey Kevin,

I think Andrew pretty much summed it up quite nicely. Building this structure from the Walthers Modular kits is certainly do-able. The only problem i see is like you said the window arrangement. The Walthers Walls look similar (i cant tell for sure, as i to am having difficulties loading the larger images) to the structure you posted, and i think that if you just used the walls how they come, that it would still resemble the structure nicely.

Like Andrew said, the seams between stories or walls can be a bit of a pain in some cases. You might be able to fill them in if your careful.

As far as the kits go and the availability of them, they are currently on sale right now still, but now there $3.98 instead of $2.98 like they were a few weeks ago. The Wall columns and caps kits (which were out of stock) are now scheduled to be due back in stock August 26, 2009.

The only thing i would suggest is to make sure you buy enough if not more of the kits that you need. I made the mistake of buying not enough kits, and i should have bought more then i did lol, especially of the Wall Columns & Caps kits which go really fast when your building. The Walls are another thing that go pretty quickly, and i think the wall kits come with 8 walls each. Each kit lists what they come with on the Walthers site.... 933-3720-3735 are the kit numbers of the Modular Kits

PM me if you would like me to order some kits for you while there still on sale

You could try a combination of the both. Some of the windows, especially on the loading dock side, look close to whats offered by DPM walls system. The windows in the front look somewhat like I've seen from the Walthers. It is doable either way you choose. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Thanks for the advice, guys. It sounds like what I need to do is measure the space I have, then download the info from walther and see how I can combine things to fit my dimensions. The roof I could do just sheet styrene, and the little "peaked" part on the front will require some custom fabrication.

nachoman Wrote:Thanks for the advice, guys. It sounds like what I need to do is measure the space I have, then download the info from walther and see how I can combine things to fit my dimensions. The roof I could do just sheet styrene, and the little "peaked" part on the front will require some custom fabrication.

Two more comments...

The template is only an approximation of the size. Why they did not make the parts the proper full size I don't know. Instead, they chose to add a disclaimer that says the parts are not full size

The roof does not have to be peaked behind the peak in the wall. There are plenty of examples of false front buildings where the apparent roof line does not match the actual roof. In fact, I plan on incorporating one in my Modular structure...!

Andrew