Are they absurd because the are too big or because we accept and have a thats the way we have always done it mentality?
i look for structures with large windows because they let me build interiors. Here is a Walters Merchants Row, almost ready:
I spent a lot of time one masking and rattle-can painting, and then more time building an interior with computer printed images.
Another milling plant, renamed and with a bit of adornment, like cutting out the loading dock door and making a small shadow-box:
The opposite side of the building with the other side wall becomes another background building opposite on my layout:
Walthers foray into modular structure components generated the tanning factory. It was pretty much built as designed, because the the foundations and roofing dictated that:
I added thin brick walls to the inside of the roof parapets, and used Rustoleum Specked Texture paint for the roofs. The roofs got some additional details. I put some minimal details and lighting inside the buildings.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I just tried using drywall compound with some modifications and am very pleased. I used to use water soluble white paint and a wet finger to get it into the mortar lines. This time I put a dab of drywall compound on the building wall and used a wet finger to dilute and spread it. A little goes a long way. Clean up was easy with a paper towel that I touched to the tip my my tongue for moisture. Worked great and no dust. Used a new area each time I had to wet the towell. I also tapered a 1/4" Dowell in my electric pencil sharpener which gave me a point to use around raised edges mostly I used the side of the point but could easily dig out the little pieces in the corners without damage to the paint. Very easy and pleased with the results.