I saw the ad for this at the front of the latest issue of MR. It is a prebuilt structure with interior and Just Plug lighting. It looks like an impressive structure but it looked familar to me. On closer inspection, it appears to be a built up version of the City Classics Route 22 Diner. I knew that most of WS structures were built up versions of DPM kits but this is the first one I am aware of which was a City Classics kit. Has Woodland Scenics acquireds the City Classics line or was that always under the Woodand Scenics umbrella?
The structure itself looks very impressive and I am considering it for a spot at the front of my layout. My kit built Route 22 Diner has no lights or interior and occupies a spot near the backdrop in a different town. The announced MSRP is $98 so it is a bit pricey. The structure is available for pre-order but there's no telling when it will actually be available. My guess is it will be at least a year given WS track record on these things.
I'm certain Mr. Sacco will confirm it, but it does not appear to be the same as the Route 22 Diner kit. There's several differences between the two. For instance, the corner posts on the WS diner have fluting all the way to the ground, whereas CC is a concrete slab with no trim. The doors are different. I'm also willing to bet the dimensions are different, because they have slightly different proportions. The similiarity is sympomatic of the classic diner: they all sort of look the same.
City Classics, to my knowledge, remains an independent company. I have that model. It's very similar, but my guess is that's a fairly common prototype and two different companies would probably come out with similar models.
There's a photo of the Route 22 Diner on the City Classics web site. It's a lower profile, with less space between the windows and the roof, and the molded walls and roof are shaped the same but have different details.
I loved painting, assembling, lighting and detailing the City Classics kit, which is the opposite of the built-up WS model. It's also bargain priced, and for me this kit, with large streetside windows, just asked for an upfront location and interior detailing. There's lots of play value in nicely made simple kits before they ever get on your layout.
My diner on my layout:
With the top removed showing the interior detail, all scratchbuilt.
From the front, showing details through the windows
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasley City Classics, to my knowledge, remains an independent company. I have that model. It's very similar, but my guess is that's a fairly common prototype and two different companies would probably come out with similar models. There's a photo of the Route 22 Diner on the City Classics web site. It's a lower profile, with less space between the windows and the roof, and the molded walls and roof are shaped the same but have different details. I loved painting, assembling, lighting and detailing the City Classics kit, which is the opposite of the built-up WS model. It's also bargain priced, and for me this kit, with large streetside windows, just asked for an upfront location and interior detailing. There's lots of play value in nicely made simple kits before they ever get on your layout. My diner on my layout: With the top removed showing the interior detail, all scratchbuilt. From the front, showing details through the windows
On closer inspection, I think you are correct. What caught my eye and led me to believe the are the same kit are the stairs on either side of the bump out. I see now the Route 22 kit only has two stairs while the Miss Molly's Diner has 3 steps.
I've never been very good at adding interior details. It never turns out well. I used the blinds to cover the windows on my version of the Route 22 Diner and since it is near the backdrop, this suffices. With few exceptions my structures don't have interior details. I use blinds or curtains or WS Light difusing film to block out the windows. Even though it is much more pricey, the Miss Molly's Diner does have appeal for me because someone else has done it for me. I'm keeping it open as an option if it ever actually becomes available in my lifetime.
Nope, we haven't been acquired by anyone. I would make a lame joke about how everything is for sale at the right price, but that's how rumors get started.
I've had some health issues lately, however, we're back to filling orders as quickly as possible.
And, as others have said, there is no connection between our diner kit and the WS built-up model.
Jim S.
I find the trend to built-up structures a bit disturbing. I really enjoy building kits, but even with a nice structure I typically want to customize it, typically flattening down the plastic shine with dull-coat, at least. I like to add interiors, too, so any built-up structure would have to be disassembled before I could modify it for my railroad.
MisterBeasley I find the trend to built-up structures a bit disturbing. I really enjoy building kits, but even with a nice structure I typically want to customize it, typically flattening down the plastic shine with dull-coat, at least. I like to add interiors, too, so any built-up structure would have to be disassembled before I could modify it for my railroad.
Why do you find the trend disturbing? You might enjoy building kits and customizing them but not everybody does. A structure, whether scratch built, kit built, kitbashed, or prebuilt is a component of a model railroad. What difference does it make how the structure is built or whether it looks like a structure on thousands of other layouts. To me the creativity comes from how the various components are arranged into a unique model railroad. If someone wants to spend a little extra money to take the shortcut of using a prebuilt structure, why does that matter? It's no different than taking a RTR freight car or loco out of the box and putting it on the layout. Most of my locos are RTR aside from a little weathering and coupler changes. A small number are custom painted and decaled. With structures and rolling stock, I have a mix of RTR and kit built. Kit built structures are more numerous and less expensive but when a really good looking prebuilt structure presents itself, I have no qualms about taking advantage of it to shorten the time it is taking to complete my railroad.
If some people enjoy the process of scratch building or kit building that's fine but to me it is tedious. I see no reason to do something the hard way for the sake of doing it the hard way. If shortcuts are available and I can afford them, I'm going to take advantage of them.
John-NYBWIf some people enjoy the process of scratch building or kit building that's fine but to me it is tedious. I see no reason to do something the hard way for the sake of doing it the hard way. If shortcuts are available and I can afford them, I'm going to take advantage of them.
Hi John-NYBW,
As far as I am concerned, you are perfectly within your rights to use pre-built structures right out of the box. I love scratchbuilding. In fact it is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the hobby for me, but if you don't care for it I'm just fine with that.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critter John-NYBW If some people enjoy the process of scratch building or kit building that's fine but to me it is tedious. I see no reason to do something the hard way for the sake of doing it the hard way. If shortcuts are available and I can afford them, I'm going to take advantage of them. Hi John-NYBW, As far as I am concerned, you are perfectly within your rights to use pre-built structures right out of the box. I love scratchbuilding. In fact it is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the hobby for me, but if you don't care for it I'm just fine with that. Cheers!! Dave
John-NYBW If some people enjoy the process of scratch building or kit building that's fine but to me it is tedious. I see no reason to do something the hard way for the sake of doing it the hard way. If shortcuts are available and I can afford them, I'm going to take advantage of them.
The current issue of MR tells the story of a couple who hired a crew to build their model railroad for them because they wanted to get a completed railroad in the shortest amount of time possible. I see nothing wrong with that either. Everyone enjoys different aspects of the hobby. Some enjoy the journey. Others just want to get to the destination as quickly as possible. I am in the latter camp. If I could have afforded to have someone build my layout for me, I would have done it a long time ago. The design would have been mine with input from the builder, but the construction would have been left to somebody else. Within a year I hope to complete my layout which has been under construction for almost 20 years. After that I hope to have plenty of years left to enjoy what I have built. I'm sure I'll make minor improvements here and there, but I am close to the finish line. I wish I could have reached that finish line 20 years ago but that wasn't in the cards.
My problem with built-up structures is the same as my disappointment with the disappearance of the old Athearn blue box kits. Some manufacturers are moving away from kits and towards built-ups and RTR. With limited size of production runs, companies can get larger returns from more expensive built-ups. Yes, younger people in particular are pressed for time and they might prefer it that way.
I don't kit-build locomotives, and I have a decent number of RTR cars. But, I like the option of buying or building. Menards has started the trend of pre-made structures, and WS has increased their offerings. I just don't want to see kits disappear.
MisterBeasley My problem with built-up structures is the same as my disappointment with the disappearance of the old Athearn blue box kits. Some manufacturers are moving away from kits and towards built-ups and RTR. With limited size of production runs, companies can get larger returns from more expensive built-ups. Yes, younger people in particular are pressed for time and they might prefer it that way. I don't kit-build locomotives, and I have a decent number of RTR cars. But, I like the option of buying or building. Menards has started the trend of pre-made structures, and WS has increased their offerings. I just don't want to see kits disappear.
Accurail has filled the void by Athearn's exit from the kit built car market. As for structures, kits still offer far more choices than built-ups. I don't see them disappearing. Most of WS built-ups are versions of DPM kits. Manufacturers respond to demand and as long as there is a demand for kits, they will continue to make them. I'm glad we have choices.
To each his own but despite my 70 year old fumble fingers, I find putting together and painting simple structure kits one of the more enjoyable aspects of the hobby. Big fan of the DPM N Scale kits that are so easily adapted for kitbashes and have also enjoyed the slightly more elaborate Woodland Scenics build it yourself kits like Sicken Tire and the Woodland Station despite the frustration of the teeny detail parts. Also have found that the Walther's industry kits go together well and really look good in an urban setting.