Hey guys, I've got a dilema and I could use some help. I'm currently modeling a 4' x 16' steel mill layout in the basement (overall size of the layout will be 16' x 32') and I've come to a roadblock. As I'm starting to build up a harbor (waterfront steel mill), I'm looking to build a retaining wall, using steel pilings. Now I've stumbled across an out-of-production kit from Kibri. It's called Waterfront and Dockside Pier Detail Kit (KIB 8528). If anybody knows of any hobby shop that is currently selling this item, please let me know. Granted I know I could kitbash a steel retaining wall, but I want to make sure that it is done to proper HO Scale. I'm my own worst critic and I want to make sure the pilings (and spacing between them) are true to HO Scale. I currently have a version of a Walthers steel piling retaining wall ( cast resin) and it looks horrible. The casting is way to thick (a little over 1/4"). My goal is to have a prototypical retaining wall that sticks up higher than the edge of the ground (not to make it flush) were someone in reality could walk right off the edge of it. As for pricing, I know of one kit that is for sale on Ebay, but I'm not going to spend $70.00 on a kit that usually costs $30.00. Any help whatsoever would be great!! Thanks, Buckykatt
German ebay
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Kibri-38528-8528-...0894890499 had one to sell. The price was about 12€.
You should search German part of Google with the German name of the product "kibri 8528 - Ausgestaltungsset Binnenhafen". Lots of German dealer will ship to the US. However, you are right it is out of production.
Good luck!
Hey guys, once again thanks for the help. I've been looking at the German Ebay like Reinhard had suggested but I have one major problem, I don't speak German (I can't find a way to translate it into English).
Mike, the guy on Ebay that is selling that Waterfront Dockside isn't willing to sell it for less (I sent him an email and he just got back to me this morning - reason being - "It's out of production and Kibri has been bought out by another company. No telling if or when we'll be getting these again." Yeah, just not paying an arm and a leg for 1 item, when I could be getting double for it.
Amtrak X995 - WOW!! I've never heard of Artitec before, but the "quay-wall" (retaining wall) is just awesome. I've got to do a bit of research, so I can get my hands on these retaining walls (there perfect. Highly detailed!1). So to everyone who's helped with the input, I appreciate it. Thanks, Phill.
buckykatt1 Wrote:...I don't speak German (I can't find a way to translate it into English)....
You did just identify the Big Blue voluntary translation center
Don't hesitate to ask. It will be pleasure to help.
ps. Better a lousy translation than no translation at all
Phill, I'm sorry that he didn't want to make a deal. What I meant was that it was an example. I Googled the Kibri kit and had a lot of hits. I just meant use a search engine and investigate the results. I bought an old Varney Docksider with Central Valley valve gear for less than I've seen docksiders in less desirable condition.
No 2 EBay sales are the same. What drives a price up is how many people want the item and how badly they want the item while it's listed. I do Ebay selling and buying. I've had items go 2 sales in a row with not even a bid. One Item went through 3 listings before anybody bid on it and then there was a bidding war that sold the Item for twice what I was hoping for.
If the guy doesn't want to meet your price today, he may want to meet your price next week. I'm a waterfont modelling affictionado and I didn't know of this kit. It's not an item that I see people knocking down the door for. I could only see
not selling an item if people make me an outrageous offer (read insulting). I had a never worn New York Mets Shirt ( a gift that I didn't want. I'm a Yankees fan - sorry Ralph, I would have sent it to you if I had known you yet
). The Shirt Retailed for $50, I listed it for $10 minimum bid, and someone told me that they would give me $3 for it. I ended giving it as a gift to someone else.
If you wait a week or 2 after the sale ends, he may entertain a reasonable offer (I'm not saying that you made an insulting offer, it just sounds like he thinks that his kits are worth more than they are. What I'm saying is that he's not the only person selling the kit.
P.S. Model Railroader did an article on a steel bulhead for their Milwaukee, Racine, & Troy layout. A little research, or even emailing Model Railroader will net results for the article.
I believe that the issue is February 2009 of Model Railroader.
buckykatt1 Wrote:Hey guys, once again thanks for the help. I've been looking at the German Ebay like Reinhard had suggested but I have one major problem, I don't speak German (I can't find a way to translate it into English). Mike, the guy on Ebay that is selling that Waterfront Dockside isn't willing to sell it for less (I sent him an email and he just got back to me this morning - reason being - "It's out of production and Kibri has been bought out by another company. No telling if or when we'll be getting these again." Yeah, just not paying an arm and a leg for 1 item, when I could be getting double for it. Amtrak X995 - WOW!! I've never heard of Artitec before, but the "quay-wall" (retaining wall) is just awesome. I've got to do a bit of research, so I can get my hands on these retaining walls (there perfect. Highly detailed!1). So to everyone who's helped with the input, I appreciate it. Thanks, Phill.
If you want to buy European stuff in the US, look for a US dealer that sells European stuff. Some things are common (e.g. Kibri stuff still in production), and can be found e.g. at Walthers (
http://www.walthers.com), other stuff (e.g Artitec ) you can find e.g at Reynauld's Euro Hobby (
http://www.reynaulds.com/artitec.aspx?scale=HO).
No guarantee that it will be both easy and cheap. Often you pay more for convenience. The Artitec sea wall and pile wall can e.g. be found here:
http://www.reynaulds.com/catalog/dept_956.aspx for about $25
Also, no one is stopping you from making a sea wall from scratch - like Ralph has done for the barge terminal on his layout:
http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic...SCO#p66397 - you could always ask him how he did his :-)
Smile,
Stein