I am looking for some buildings for the city I want to put at one end of my layout. I asked a company that makes replicas of buildings all scales and types about the willis (sears) tower. They said they can make it, but it would be 9 feet tall and cost me about $25,000.00. I about had a heart attack. I just want a couple sky scrapers to make it look more realistic. I am at the point of scraping the idea completely and make a photo background which wont have that wow effect that I'm looking for. Does anyone have an idea of where to find these models or should I try and find a photo background?
That would be a little steep for one building. Probably even be a bit steep for most layouts.
Bachmann has some tall buildings in their CityScenes Series, unfortunately, I just checked and they don't have them in N.
I have seen ads for some tall buildings, but can't remember if they are in our hosts magazine or one of the others I read. Also, not sure if they have them in N. Look at the ads, you may find something.
Another alternative is to use some modular sections and build your own. A couple of taller buildings in the foreground, with some skyscrapers on the backdrop may give you a presentable look.
Good luck,
Richard
You can find some sky scrapers in N scale by Custom Model Railroads or Lunde Studio's ; they offer models between 75$ and 130$. They regulary made advertissement in MR.
They offer sky scrapers build between the two wars.
You can also scratchbuild them using part of DPM Nscale small hotel model.
Good luck
When you are far enough away from those enormous urban structures (and most railroad tracks are a distance away) mostly what you see and notice is the extreme regularity and screen-like pattern of the windows for floor after floor, as well as the color or texture of the structure itself combined with the windows. The modern glass skyscrapers have a color and texture all their own.
For backdrop or background purposes it really is enough to capture those external factors rather than spend alot of money or time on details. I have seen effective skyscrapers built with legos, or colored mirrors or colored translucent plastic behind the egg-crate type plastic grid for suspended ceiling lights.
Dave Nelson
Hello,
I am a professional model builder and I can tell you that there is no reason why something can't be done for considerably less than the price suggested to you ( and by that I mean a fraction of the cost). I am not sure if you are looking to do this all yourself or if you have a certain budget, but I know that some very interesting skyscraper models could be made in N scale for a reasonable cost. I speak from experience as I have built museum projects and structures of varying sizez in multiple scales. Contact me if I can be of assistance with this project.
My warmest regards,
Jim Rindt
rindtsrelics@gmail.com
www.rindtsrelics.com
dknelsonFor backdrop or background purposes it really is enough to capture those external factors rather than spend alot of money or time on details.
Agreed. Here's a guy that printed out windows and surrounding mouldings onto paper. From a distance it's pretty convincing.
http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/6857
Steve S
This is from my website and published a long time ago
http://xdford.digitalzones.com/hintsandtips.htm
Hints & Tips No.52
Hi Rise Buildings
By Trevor Gibbs, (Australia)
I saw a layout at an exhibition with a couple of very tall (for a layout) model buildings in a city scene which from normal viewing distance looked very effective. Looking closely I presume that they were a plywood box with normal building tiles glued around them, consistently one colour such as deep blue which gave the window effect.
Such a tile system could work very well on a backdrop to give a low relief depth but give the impression of more. Seeing a tile dealer for a remnant would be your cheapest option! You might even fool people at first about the detail and depth in your windows with moving characters in the office areas that look like the people admiring your work!
Hope this helps
Regards from Oz
Trevor