I'm going to attempt to build a switch tower using a small plastic box I bought at Michael's for a dollar as the base. When I saw it at the store it looked like a good size and I thought I'd cover it with siding and add commericlaly available windows etc. The box provides the structure and glazing for windows.

Here is the box in a couple of possible future locations for the tower.....

In its basic shape, it looks like you might have an easy time turning it into a NYC style later brick tower. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.trainorderpix.com/images/BereaTower2Trains.jpg">http://www.trainorderpix.com/images/Ber ... Trains.jpg</a><!-- m -->

Thank you for posting that! I've been looking for a photo of that style of building. That really is the sort of thing I hope to create!

If you do a bit of googling on Berea Tower, you can find a good many photos.

Nice! Thanks! Judging by the pics I'm finding I may wish to get a second box. The tower looks "double wide". That would be OK by me though. Google images has pics from virtually every angle! Thanks again for the info!

Here's a pic: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://akronrrclub.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/be.jpg">https://akronrrclub.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/be.jpg</a><!-- m -->

Regarding location, I think you'd want it to be where it can overlook a junction, crossover, etc.

Yeah, you're right.

Well, I checked at two Michaels stores and they no longer carry the little plastic boxes. Oh well...I can extend the structure using the original box as part of it. See the very crude mock up below.


While searching for another little box I did find a larger version at one store...


...which I'm planning to turn into another downtown West Mill business building.


This will be handy because i recently added a second staging track behind these structures...which means I'd need to rebuild a tunnel and rock wall to accommodate the extra track. Instead of doing that, I can hide the unfinished tunnel by extending the business district of West Mill in front of it.


So, now my Summer Challenge involves building TWO structures!

Neat ideas Ralph.Questiion -which department did you find the plastic boxes in and are there other sizes available? I can see some N and O scale buildings hiding in there along with your HO buildngs. :mrgreen:

Hi Catt,

Unfortunately Michaels is phasing them out but if you have a store near you check the aisle with the wood projects....wood trim, ready made bird houses, cutting boards etc. Not sure why plastic boxes were there but that's where they were in the Twin Cities stores. They did come in a few sizes.

Thanks Ralph,I will check them out (hopefully) this weekend.

The Container Store has millions of those plastic boxes of all sizes

I wasn't familiar with that store. Looks promising. After checking their site online I learned there is one on the other side of the Twin Cities.

The Container Store looks like it has usable clear plastic boxes (building cores) for N,HO & O scale.To bad there are none in Michigan though.

Well, we took this week off from work and have been doing fun stuff like bike riding on a former railroad grade trail and other outdoorsy things (weather has been very nice in MN for our vacation) but we also went to check out The Container Store. Its a cool place with lots of things you didn't know you needed. They do indeed have lots of plastic boxes and I found a mate for the one I have. I also found some of other sizes and bought a few for possible future projects. They're cheap. I'm debating over which set of boxes to use for the NYC styled switch tower. Based on the size I see in photos I think the pair on the left...recently glued together may be the winning candidates. I''m pondering using the original box and its mate for another tower set in the distance for perspective.