Plasticville

[Dave45681]

Flintlock76

.....I forget just where I read this but supposedly Plasticville buildings were made in a "compromise" size to look good with either O or S Gauge trains.......

If I'm not mistaken, quite a few of the older boxes for these (not sure about current/newer production) actually call the buildings out as being suitable for both O and S.

Here are 3 examples I found:

https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af8d7a28f513090f7393561/1631846607339-MHIB0M9TAP8021DG8T2T/PVTV%26SH.jpeg?format=300w

https://www.plasticvillefornewbies.com/uploads/6/0/0/9/60090073/961215_orig.jpg

 

 

[pennytrains]

I think it's even simpler than that.  Most kids started with a circle, oval, figure 8 or maybe a variation with a siding.  On those tiny first layouts you'd want the most buildings you could fit in the space available.

Also, the Plasticville line grew out of the tradition of having a "garden" under your Christmas tree.  The first Bachmann item was the picket fence designed to surround those "putz' gardens.  Adding churches, houses and such was a natural outgrowth.  And of course getting a train set for Christmas was fast becoming the "IT" gift.

[Flintlock76]

IRONROOSTER

I use them as stand-ins on my S layout until I can afford/build better buildings. 

I forget just where I read this but supposedly Plasticville buildings were made in a "compromise" size to look good with either O or S Gauge trains.

As I understand it the "AmeriTown" buildings sold through O Gauge Railroading magazine are in the same category.

[El Fixes Things]

I quite like plasticville for it's charm, when I eventually build my postwar-style layout I'll probably be using most if not all of the various kits I've accumulated over the years. A lot of them aren't in the best of shape, so I need to keep looking for parts to compete a few of them.

 

-Ellie

[IRONROOSTER]

They still seem to be readily available, so they must be selling.

They are  also very easy and quick to assemble and don't need glue.  Pricewise they are at the low end for O/S buildings.  So I think their appeal will continue. 

I use them as stand-ins on my S layout until I can afford/build better buildings.  The size of many of them is about right, although the doors are too large for S. 

Some new buildings with somewhat better details would certainly help the line.  Be really nice if they came with both S and O detail parts.

Paul 

[traindaddy1]

Penny: Thanks for your reply.

[pennytrains]

Older unglued hard to find pieces are holding their value but the new production kits are over priced to many newbies I think.  Why pay $30 for a low detail Plasticville kit when Menards and Woodland Scenics sell fully assembled and highly detailed lighted structures for not nuch more comparatively?  Plasticville surged back in the 90's when boomer nostalgia was at it's peak but the old molds look a bit dated now.  Not to mention some of the colors Bachmann has been using.

[traindaddy1]

Getting a little "long in the tooth", I have down-sized considerably. With the exception of a few vehicles, my years-long Plasticville collection is gone. However, I do still follow sites like e-bay to see what is being listed. Question:  Has anyone noticed a reduced interest in Plasticville? As always, many thanks.