Lack of Modern Structures

[Anonymous]

Is anyone else disappointed in the lack of modern structures available in the marketplace? Can anyone explain this? I imagine that modern era layouts are currently the second most common type behind the transition era. Further, I see a day in the not to distant future when modern era layouts will become the "king of eras" as the years pass on.

[Anonymous]

Is anyone else disappointed in the lack of modern structures available in the marketplace? Can anyone explain this? I imagine that modern era layouts are currently the second most common type behind the transition era. Further, I see a day in the not to distant future when modern era layouts will become the "king of eras" as the years pass on.

[Anonymous]

Have you a Walthers catalog? Modern and contemporary buildings are sold by Walther, Pikestuff, Great West, Micro Engineering, Kibri, Model Power, Vollmer and others. There are a lot of them.

Additionally, most of my town (for example) is made of buildings that date from the turn of the last century. A few modern buildings are all that is needed. Wal-Mart is nondescript except for the signage as are most of the newer things. The biggest omission is McDonald's!

[Anonymous]

Have you a Walthers catalog? Modern and contemporary buildings are sold by Walther, Pikestuff, Great West, Micro Engineering, Kibri, Model Power, Vollmer and others. There are a lot of them.

Additionally, most of my town (for example) is made of buildings that date from the turn of the last century. A few modern buildings are all that is needed. Wal-Mart is nondescript except for the signage as are most of the newer things. The biggest omission is McDonald's!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ctucker1


The biggest omission is McDonald's!

Considering the recent kerfuffle with modeled logos and trademarks, an attempt to commercially model the proprietary double Golden Arches (or any other similar signage) could be more legal hassle than it's worth. Whereas some might consider it free advertising for the corporation involved, too many legal beagles might smell litigation dollars. Of course, if it was okayed prior to release as a joint business venture with appropriate profit sharing ("Do you want fries with that, and what scale for your Happy Kit?" it could be made to work...

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ctucker1


The biggest omission is McDonald's!

Considering the recent kerfuffle with modeled logos and trademarks, an attempt to commercially model the proprietary double Golden Arches (or any other similar signage) could be more legal hassle than it's worth. Whereas some might consider it free advertising for the corporation involved, too many legal beagles might smell litigation dollars. Of course, if it was okayed prior to release as a joint business venture with appropriate profit sharing ("Do you want fries with that, and what scale for your Happy Kit?" it could be made to work...

[Anonymous]

It's not that I haven't seen any modern structures in the Walther's catalog it's just that I don't see them in near the variety of older brick and wooden structures. The only modern structures I've seen are the prefab type metal buildings. We have plenty of those in the marketplace. There are even a few small concrete based structures. What we don't see much of are modern homes, modern skyscrapers, modern gas stations, modern shopping areas (i.e. small businesses) or accessories such as people and automobilies. It seems many of my fellow modelers and I are forced to use more older structures that we'd like to because there simply isn't a reasonably easy way to model much of what we see in today's world.

[Anonymous]

It's not that I haven't seen any modern structures in the Walther's catalog it's just that I don't see them in near the variety of older brick and wooden structures. The only modern structures I've seen are the prefab type metal buildings. We have plenty of those in the marketplace. There are even a few small concrete based structures. What we don't see much of are modern homes, modern skyscrapers, modern gas stations, modern shopping areas (i.e. small businesses) or accessories such as people and automobilies. It seems many of my fellow modelers and I are forced to use more older structures that we'd like to because there simply isn't a reasonably easy way to model much of what we see in today's world.

[IRONROOSTER]

A lot of the structure kits were first made decades ago when they were the commmon buildings. Once a kit is in production it's easier to keep it going. That coupled with the 50's era being the most common modeled, keeps them going strong. I suspect that having more character also keeps them popular, since most modern buildings look sterile. But if enough modern builings are sold I'm sure supply will increase.
Enjoy
Paul

[IRONROOSTER]

A lot of the structure kits were first made decades ago when they were the commmon buildings. Once a kit is in production it's easier to keep it going. That coupled with the 50's era being the most common modeled, keeps them going strong. I suspect that having more character also keeps them popular, since most modern buildings look sterile. But if enough modern builings are sold I'm sure supply will increase.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

If you're in N, the Nu-Line warehouses are great addtions.

[Anonymous]

If you're in N, the Nu-Line warehouses are great addtions.

[Anonymous]

i understand where you guys are coming from. for any little town your model railroad runs through, we do have enough modern buildings to make do. little towns aren't increasing in size like they did in the early 1900's, so most of the buildings are older style. however, if your railroad runs into the suburbs or inner part of a large city, then you're right, we definitely lack those buildings. i don't have the time to put into scratch building my own sky skrapers. i would definitely like to see model kits of 30 story high rise buildings, more fast food restaurants, and more chain mall type of buildings. there aren't many modern condo buildings, or the details such as sound barriers. with the way athearn is kicking their game up, i wouldn't be surprised to see them head into a market like this. who know's what the future holds.

[Anonymous]

i understand where you guys are coming from. for any little town your model railroad runs through, we do have enough modern buildings to make do. little towns aren't increasing in size like they did in the early 1900's, so most of the buildings are older style. however, if your railroad runs into the suburbs or inner part of a large city, then you're right, we definitely lack those buildings. i don't have the time to put into scratch building my own sky skrapers. i would definitely like to see model kits of 30 story high rise buildings, more fast food restaurants, and more chain mall type of buildings. there aren't many modern condo buildings, or the details such as sound barriers. with the way athearn is kicking their game up, i wouldn't be surprised to see them head into a market like this. who know's what the future holds.

[Anonymous]

I agree, I live in a small rail town and the newest builings in town are 20 blocks away from the tracks and are MikeyDees and Wallyworld. All the buildings along the tracks are the ones that were built in the 20's to 50's when the rail was the lifeline. Now they are flea markets and mom-n-pop stores.

[Anonymous]

I agree, I live in a small rail town and the newest builings in town are 20 blocks away from the tracks and are MikeyDees and Wallyworld. All the buildings along the tracks are the ones that were built in the 20's to 50's when the rail was the lifeline. Now they are flea markets and mom-n-pop stores.