Will you buy pre-built structures?

[DavidGSmith]

I prefer kits and scratch building however I did buy one built up. Im in On30 and "O" scale stuff is hard to find here. I cut the building up and made a larger relief type. Looks like nothing on anyone elses layout. What do you call it, its not a kit bash.

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by WilmJunc

I’m getting aggravated with Walthers and others because many of their structures that fit the era and location that I’m modeling are only available as “Built-ups.” At this point, I can not get myself to purchase a prebuilt structure. Hey, I’m not ready to start scratch building my structures, but to buy something that you just plop down on your layout seems to take away from the hobby.

Just curious if others are also frustrated by this trend toward pre-built.

I'm not aggrivated with it, I just won't buy them.. The RTR movement seems to have a full head of steam, especially with people who just want to get things up and running.. Though most of my kits are built as intended, I make small changes with each one to give it a personal touch. I don't really want to pay the money to have to tear something apart.. I decided a LONG time ago that I didn't want my layout to be an ad for a particular manufacturer.. I didn't want to look at somebody elses layout and see a dupe of mine because they had all the same buildings. Keeping it all in kit form leaves me the oppertunity to make it mine.

Jeff
[:)]

[Anonymous]

I've got three "pre-builts" on my layout. One was a gift, the other two are not available any other way (and are no longer available at all). I would rather put a kit together, but if it is the only way I can get the model I want, short of scratch building, I will get it.

Like Spacemouse said, it's easier to paint, etc. when it's a kit in pieces.

[nbrodar]

Almost never, I have one pre-built (a Boley Firehouse), and only because it's not avalable as a kit. It was a pain to repaint and weather.

I prefer kits. Much easier to customize. And of course cheaper.

Nick

[Todd McWilliam]

I prefer kits, I still build detailed blue box locomotives. That is model railroading, building kits. Running trains is running rtr.

[CNJ831]

The hobby is "model railroading", not in this case model railroad prebuilt structure collecting. Our hobby is supposed to be about talent, acquired skills and craftsmanship, not how easily you can plunk down a fist full of dollars to buy something already 100% done for you. I can fully understand and appreciate those that might be handicaped in some way desiring and deserving to have built-ups available. But for most of the rest of us, if you can't easily assemble the simple structure kits that are also being offered by Walthers as built-ups, then you are in the wrong hobby.

CNJ831

[ereimer]

i'm going to say no to pre-built structures , of course it's made pretty easy for me as there's very little pre-built that would fit my era and area . but the main reason is i like the model part of model railroading . it's probably going to be a while until i have a layout to operate on , so my enjoyment is going to come from building kits , and hanging out with the good folks around here [:)]

[selector]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

To me the outcome is as important as the process.

YESSS!!! God save the purist, for she provides a market for her craft from which I can profit at will. As for me, I'll do a little this and a little that.

[Anonymous]

I can't justify it, I would have to take it apart to add all the detailes I would want.

James

[Anonymous]

Prebuilts SUCK because they are more difficult to custom build.

[SpaceMouse]

I have bought a lot of models that others have built on eBay. Often those models are things I have not been able to buy as kits. But I have yet to buy one that could go straight on the layout (well it does hold a place). They all need to be at least weathered and more often, fixed and redone. But if there woere a perfect model for what I need, I'm not going to go purist. To me the outcome is as important as the process.

[joeyegarner]

QUOTE: Originally posted by WilmJunc

I’m getting aggravated with Walthers and others because many of their structures that fit the era and location that I’m modeling are only available as “Built-ups.” At this point, I can not get myself to purchase a prebuilt structure. Hey, I’m not ready to start scratch building my structures, but to buy something that you just plop down on your layout seems to take away from the hobby.

Just curious if others are also frustrated by this trend toward pre-built.

I agree, I have always enjoyed building kits. It really should be that way. Anyone can buy a model , the question is can you build one?????? I have done a couple of scratchbuilt models. But they take a lot of time that I really don't have. Maybe the suppliers can reconsider what they offer. I also feel the same about alot of the loco's and rolling stock, I have enjoyed nothing more than assembling rolling stock kitts from Athearn Roundhouse and other manufactures.

[Anonymous]

i have built quite a few years back . i was not very talented then and im surely not now after getting hurt. but i still display even my failures as they are something i made and distance fixes errors so does caulk and paint. :) i might feel different about the displaying themn now that we have digtal cams that can see real good :)

but to answer the question i have bought 2 back when. i want to try an easy kit when i get my new magnifier lamp that i ordered. then ill know for sure.

great questions as always from you all. thank you, john

[railroadyoshi]

I don't see the point in buying NEW pre-built structures. They take out all the fun of building and cost a whole lot more. However, i do buy pre-owned structures because they are a great value.

[Anonymous]

I'm afraid I couldn't bring myself to buy one. I may not have many structures but what I do have I totally enjoyed every #"!! minute building them.
Bob

[Cox 47]

No I won't buy prebuilt structures I think building structures is one of the best parts of the hobby....Cox 47

[BRAKIE]

Yes,I would buy them..Also Model Power makes pre-built buildings..
Folks like 'em or hate 'em I fear that is the next hobby trend..I believe this is a good step and one that should help those that doesn't have the time or the skill needed to built kits ..Also there are folks like me that has lost the use of one hand and has a whale of a time changing out couplers welcomes them..

[Anonymous]

NEVER! At a model railroad convention last spring I won a Walthers "built - up" as they call it, Dayton Machine Shop. Nice structure, but I don't have any use for it. The box it came it is HUGE! About a foot square and 8 inches high. A kit of the same building would be half as big. I'm going to see if I can sell it locally, as offering it on eBay would result in too high postage charges to make it worth while.

What a waste!

Bob Boudreau

[BMRR]

Yes, all I have right now are pre-built. With winter coming on and having to stay inside more, I will be building some kits.

Stan.

[Anonymous]

I will ALWAYS ALMOST EVER buy a prebuilt over a kit. I have the skill in model building of a young child.

[IRONROOSTER]

If they fit my layout and aren't too expensive, then I might buy them. Sometimes you have to take shortcuts to get the layout moving along. I don't think I'll every give up on kit building or scratchbuilding, but I don't want to run a plywood central forever either.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

If they're the type of building that I need, don't cost too much, and there isn't a kit version available, sure. The constraints of my layout would almost certainly require that they be modified, so it's not like I'm missing out on the construction.

I modify Transformers toys. I think I can handle a static building model. :)

[trainfreek92]

If they are cheap enough i will by them. But i will enjoy i nice kit from time to time[:D] Tim

[Anonymous]

I too can see the benefits to having a pre-built kit. Just like locomotives or rolling stock, any modeler can choose to update, backdate, repaint, redecal...the list goes on. I'll admit, sometimes the instant gratification of being able to fill the void in scenery with a structure already built is tempting. It can sure make operating a lot more fun instead of spotting cars at a blank spot on plywood. I think that on balance, I'll use a pre-built kit if I've already planned on the same similar industry for that place on my railroad and use my time left over on something I consider more enjoyable. As always, if one is not available, then there is always the old fashioned way.

[howmus]

Nope! pre-built, well, it just isn't me. I would rather have a less detailed and not quite exact structure that I made myself from scratch, or at least kit bashed, and maybe a kit or two (maybe 3) than buy something that has had all the fun already taken out. If I want a plastic looking roundy round, I will visit Santa Land at the HugeCo stores at the Mall. "Ooooohhhh, look at the cute little train! Wow, they have Santa driving it........ [:D]

[ARTHILL]

Like selector, if its what you want, its a fast way to make a little head way or finish a scene before company. Kits are fun, but I won't live long enough to build everything I want.

[Anonymous]

noo, thats all i have to say, and all thats needed

[selector]

I have two, a church and a house. By the time I seriously looked at them, I had been up to my neck in kits for two months. Working long hours to get the layout done, I got fed up with the kits.

No regrets. Over time, I'll try to make them look weathered, and add details as I think of them. I'm not in a rush any more because I have a passable layout to play with.

[Anonymous]

I purchase prebuilt structures from time to time. Sometimes they are just not availible or OOP. (Ebay)

Sometimes the structure I find appealing might have a million gazillion parts that might take me 10 years to assemble and it might not come out right.

RTR cars? Sure. RTR locos okay.. why not RTR Structures? Sure.. kill that awful garish color with something else and maybe change the really loud decals and signage for something more appropriate. No problem.

[Anonymous]

Since I like to kitbash just about every structure kit I buy [to make it NOT look like "just another walthers whatever"] I am definitely NOT inclined to buy them.