Does the Micro Engineering truck terminal #255-55005 have 10 or 5 bay doors? The pictures of it only show one side. Thanks in advance.
Willy6,
Read the last two sentences, on the description:
Take Care!
Frank
...That description doesn't answer the question?
NittanyLion ...That description doesn't answer the question?
I read the description of this kit at Walthers and MB Klein before i posted. But after reading it again, I see Frank's point. The words "wall panels" would make one think that the bay door walls are identical for modification as needed like they are with Pikestuff structures. Also i would have thought with all the model railroaders on this forum, the odds are somebody has or had this sructure. Thanks for you help.
I don't have this structure, but have seen a lot of truck terminals in the Midwest. They typically have a central bay or dock, an office in front, and doors along both sides. Thus the OP's question, as I would expect a structures like this to have a total of 10 dock doors, 5 on each side.
It sounds like the building walls will accept that many doors, not sure how many doors are supplied.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
All those kits all like that. They show a clear shot of what the front looks when built with the parts provided. Those front doors are already cut out. the back walls are just like they say the inside of the walls have indentations where you can cut other windows and doors to your liking. The kicker is, they don't supply all the windows and doors. They are sold separately. I have experienced three of those kits already, not that one in particular. That is a good reason why they appear to be cheap and the cut outs aren't that easy to cut out either. They are not a styrene plastic, there are similar to Evergreen and Plastruct plastic. They are very similar to Pikestuff, had those also.
Most kits that I have ever experienced, or purchased, over the years, if there was detail on all sides of the structure, they would show that. Costs more money to do in both circumstances, add more to the kit parts and photography.
I guess my comprehension of things is different, then other people.
I came across this thread earlier but did not respond because I don't have the structure.
But, the best advice so far is to contact Micro Engineering.
It sounds to me from the description that the kit only includes 5 doors since the other side is only scribed.
What happened to the photo?
All of us are speculating since none of us own the structure. Not helpful at all to the OP.
Rich
Alton Junction
All those kits, like Pikestuff, are variations of the same building. If you have any of them.You will find they are all the same way. Some walls are plain, with no cuts outs for windows and doors, you have to cut them out and they DO NOT come with all the parts needed to do all the cut outs.
EDIT: Pikestuff building of the same building design plastic. Those kits are more of a kitbash orientation:
zstripe Most kits that I have ever experienced, or purchased, over the years, if there was detail on all sides of the structure, they would show that. Costs more money to do in both circumstances, add more to the kit parts and photography.
Ah, but the very Pikestuff kit you showed parts for goes against this. That kit comes with, what, 10 small freight doors but you only see five in the picture. Likewise, the Pikestuff distribution center shows three railcar doors but comes with six.
Pikestuff kits actually come with a surprising amount of leftover parts.
That's the fun part. If you look at the pic with the blue walls that I posted, the last shot of half of the wall showing, look closely and you will see all kinds of indentations molded into the interior wall and there are dock doors spaced and large overhead doors in the cutouts...But, that particular building doesn't have dock doors, just two large over head doors and smaller entrance doors, the walls are all basically the same with the indentations molded in the interior of the wall.
Kit Basher buildings.
BTW: They don't come with a base either.
On closer inspection, I thought you'd posted a picture of the Pikestuff truck transfer terminal. It uses the same really long walls that are the right side of the picture. I had so many leftover doors from the two pikestuff buildings I picked up a few months back that I've been cutting the doors up to use the corrogated material as plugs for plated over windows.
I ordered the Micro Engineering building and will find out shortly and will post the contents of the box. Another question for everyone...the Pikestuff buildings have the indented cut lines for cutting out windows and doors, what is the recommend tool to use to cutout a window or door that doesn't have the indented cut lines. I tried it once using a razor knife and didn't do too well.
Drill a pilot hole with a pin vise and then do the cutting with an Xtra Fine blade on a jeweler's saw which you can order from places like Micro Mark.
You could also try the Micro Mark Nibbler (expert Tip number 50 in the expert tips section)
http://mrr.trains.com/videos/expert-tips/2011/05/video-how-to-use-a-nibbler-to-make-door-and-window-openings
For the larger cut-outs, like overhead doors and dock doors, I used the similar suggestion that Rich gave...but I use my scroll saw. The smaller doors and windows, they are the pita to cut, like I had said earlier they are. I used a # 2 xacto knife, that's the fatter one, with a #24 blade, try to get the Z series blades that Xacto has, they are sharper and more durable than the regular blades and of course, they cost more. They are Zirconium Nitride Coated blades. You could also use that set up for the large area's, just more passes. I only built one of the 3 kits I have Taking parts from all three. Too new for my era.
Watch your fingers, if you use those blades.
BTW: That Truck Terminal should have all those cut-outs already cut, as shown on the kit. It's when you want to change or add to it, you need to do the cutting.
The verdict is in. I got the kit and both bay walls have cut lines for 5 bay doors or entrance doors. The kit comes with 6 bay doors 3 on each sprue...y'all were right, i have to buy more bay doors or modify my left over Pikestuff doors. BTW Frank, i looking into getting a scroll saw, i see how it will ease my Exacto knife efforts.