HD Custom Design Structures

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I've talked, at length, about how having ubiquitous structures on a layout immediately lessens my enjoyment of it. Nothing breaks my "suspension of disbelief" when looking at a modeled scene then seeing "straight out of the Walthers catalog" elements. Buildings are the #1 culprit.

As a result, I've been on the hunt for structures that aren't immediately recognizable for my own use.

One of my favorite sources has been HD Custom Design's stuff.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/HDCustomDesign
https://www.ebay.com/str/hdcustomdesign

HD is run by Ryan Darnell and makes AWESOME stuff. I think I might have something like 80% of his catalog already. But a very exciting new addition is on its way from NC right now.

I realized that, given that all of his stuff is printed, he's got drawings for all of it. Well, that means "copy and paste" variations might've been a possibility. The other day I reached out asking if he'd be able to copypasta his way to some stuff from the Pershing Ave street running that's going to feature on my York layout. Figuring those buildings out has vexed me for years now.

I sent him a link to Google streetview of the real Pershing Ave.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9609136,-76.7314487,3a,60y,93.1h,88.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s9s7ZiuT1CwyVK46x3jlMXA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

A few days later, I got an email with this link:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/234983706371

Freaking cool, right?

I wanted to start a thread sharing my good fortune and, more importantly, promoting the products.

My only fear is that, if he gets too successful, these buildings are gonna start showing up on every layout, and I'll be back to square one. lol.

[Mark5]

HD is run by Ryan Darnell and makes AWESOME stuff. I think I might have something like 80% of his catalog already. But a very exciting new addition is on its way from NC right now.

I sent him a link to Google streetview of the real Pershing Ave.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9609136,-76.7314487,3a,60y,93.1h,88.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s9s7ZiuT1CwyVK46x3jlMXA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

A few days later, I got an email with this link:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/234983706371

Awesome!  Great little small town building (I would likely replace the railings and steps at a minimum).

Thanks Ed (and Ryan) for increasing our options!

Mark

[thomasjmdavis]

I am also a big fan. My favorite building is the "corner tavern" - which is available in a "left" and "right" version. I turned mine into "Big Dave's Bar and Grill" (apologies for crummy phone photo, but the building is currently packed away).
I also have a set of row houses, which while they are "Philadelphia" prototype, are similar to those found  in some neighborhoods in Chicago.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/27/2972-020122163805.jpeg[/img]]



https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/26/2972-191121211722.jpeg[/img]]

[Cajonpassfan]

I've talked, at length, about how having ubiquitous structures on a layout immediately lessens my enjoyment of it. Nothing breaks my "suspension of disbelief" when looking at a modeled scene then seeing "straight out of the Walthers catalog" elements. Buildings are the #1 culprit.
...

My only fear is that, if he gets too successful, these buildings are gonna start showing up on every layout, and I'll be back to square one. lol.

I too love his stuff and have several of these unique structures. And you had to ruin it
Otto K.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I am also a big fan. My favorite building is the "corner tavern" - which is available in a "left" and "right" version. I turned mine into "Big Dave's Bar and Grill" (apologies for crummy phone photo, but the building is currently packed away).
I also have a set of row houses, which while they are "Philadelphia" prototype, are similar to those found  in some neighborhoods in Chicago.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/27/2972-020122163805.jpeg[/img]]



https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/26/2972-191121211722.jpeg[/img]]

Those look good. I'm doing the same corner building right now but it's still got quite a ways to go before I want to show it off.
I really like the blinds.

[DirtyD79]

Those buildings do have a nice small town flavor to them, especially the Pennsylvania stores. I've seen quite a few of them in various towns in western PA.

[bman]

The Sears homes caught my eye. Thanks for the link.

[keeper]

There are also a lot of Z scale buildings available, which is very welcome.

[robertjohndavis]

I am a big fan of HDCD. Our N scale layout has more than a dozen of their structures. The row houses and taverns are manna for anyone modeling Central and Eastern Pennsylvania.

They are very well design and lend themselves to many custom variations.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Awww *****. New drop!

https://www.ebay.com/str/hdcustomdesign/N-Scale-Buildings/_i.html?store_cat=36041322016&_sop=10

Three new York buildings. ***** yeah.

[dem34]

Forgot about those. Might pickup that gas station as the last building to doom to the boredom layout. Still really impressed by the quality he's squeezing out of an FDM.

[Lemosteam]

His "Numbers Sold" in each listing are quite impressive! I wish I had that many sales on a particular design. Lol.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

His "Numbers Sold" in each listing are quite impressive! I wish I had that many sales on a particular design. Lol.

It's funny.

I want him to be wildly successful.

But at the same time, the thing I love about his stuff is that it's not on everyone's layout.

Such a quandry.

[thomasjmdavis]

It's funny.

I want him to be wildly successful.

But at the same time, the thing I love about his stuff is that it's not on everyone's layout.

Such a quandry.

I'm just glad his prices have stayed reasonable. High quality, reasonable price- in line with, often less than, the cost of a comparable mass produced kit.  And he's made these with some parts separate- so they can be painted relatively easily.  Much better thought out than many of his competitors.

[seusscaboose]

i was looking at the cataloge last night and saw York in the name and new instantly you'd been working with him.

i'm in the same quandry

the guy i used bumped it up to HO (mine is N)

but it's nice to see Grandma's house is available in other scales...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/165099346279?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=165099346279&targetid=1491224488002&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9007848&poi=&campaignid=19851828444&mkgroupid=145880009174&rlsatarget=aud-1242981527250:pla-1491224488002&abcId=9307249&merchantid=8430284&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAuNGuBhAkEiwAGId4aqLhLTMJ4gQWNWyUU4z8gIYMVGm94A3B9J0dbyEUC9egLkGteQ1bTRoCIAIQAvD_BwE



i will admit... i'm likley going to end up 3D'ing the entire block of houses as well as a handful of additional structures...