How Good Are Walthers Cornerstone Kits?

[Kisatchie]

I just won a couple of the Walthers Cornerstone kits on eBay. They'll be my first exposure to them, and I'm wondering how good they are. I read where a couple of their kits have warped walls and poorly fitting corners, but how prevalent are those faults?

Thanks for all comments (except from Dee).


Hmm... insert Bronx
cheer here...

[spookshow]

I've never had any problems with a Cornerstone product and I've built dozens of them. They're the best kits out there, IMHO.

Cheers,
-Mark

[Rossford Yard]

I think a few of the very early ones had some problems, but I have nearly all of them, and none have been problems for me.  I have kitbashed them, used them straight, etc.  Pretty straightforward construction.....I think you will be pleased.

[SecretWeapon]

I LIKE THEM.

[Dave V]

I've had one or two with warped parts but in general they're very good.  Absent Walthers structure kits there'd be no Lewistown in the Juniata Division.

[Kisatchie]

Thanks for all the comments! I'm glad I didn't make a mistake by blundering into buying these kits with no prior experience.
Now it's time for Dee to make a snide comment.


Hmm... coulda asked me.
I have all the Walthers
kits...

[Flagler]

They are the best we have in n scale and we need more

[CrazyLynx]

Good kits, definitely needed in n-scale.  Rarely have I had any issue with warped parts, and never to the point of not being able to fix it easily.  Nothing is perfect, but I do like them a lot.

[Rossford Yard]

I have long felt we don't give Walthers their due credit, thinking they spurn N for not putting out locos. If it weren't for these structures, urban N scale layouts (and many with any sort of US industry) wouldn't be possible.

They helped N by committing to a low volume type product that we all need, letting others have the higher volume and profit margin locos and rolling stock for the most part.  Maybe it just worked out that way, or maybe it was because of their role as a distributor, but in any case, I am glad they came out with their structure line. It has helped my layouts and fun of the hobby immensely.

[Catt]

Biggest problem I can see with the Cornerstone kits is that they don't carry over more of the HO kits to N scale even though they know there is a large market for them.

[Kisatchie]

Biggest problem I can see with the Cornerstone kits is that they don't carry over more of the HO kits to N scale even though they know there is a large market for them.

I saw on eBay that Walthers made a Brach's Candy building, but when I checked the Walthers site, it said the kit was discontinued. 

Everyone, run out and buy all the Walthers Cornerstone kits you can afford, so they won't discontinue any other kits.


Hmm... I have 18 cents
to my name...

[sd45elect2000]

Biggest problem I can see with the Cornerstone kits is that they don't carry over more of the HO kits to N scale even though they know there is a large market for them.

Right on , just think what we N scaler's could do with those Hullett unloaders they have in HO scale !!

[MichaelWinicki]

The Cornerstone kits can be madding in their inconsistency.

Some of the kits like Al's gas station are very good.  State Line Farm Supply is a real gem also.

Some of the kits suffer with terrible instructions... The refinery kit comes to mind.  As do the State St Stores.

Some like the Medusa Cement plant do have tooling issues– the silo's sides are very ill-fitting... almost comical when you look at them.

Some of the retail store-front buildings have brickwork that is overly large.

[Dave V]

The Cornerstone kits can be madding in their inconsistency.

Some of the kits like Al's gas station are very good.  State Line Farm Supply is a real gem also.

Some of the kits suffer with terrible instructions... The refinery kit comes to mind.  As do the State St Stores.

Some like the Medusa Cement plant do have tooling issues– the silo's sides are very ill-fitting... almost comical when you look at them.

Some of the retail store-front buildings have brickwork that is overly large.

FWIW, the only truly bad experience I ever had with a Walthers kit was a modern grain elevator for a raffle layout I was helping to build.  The problem was also the silos not fitting together.  Much Squadron putty and many passes with fine grit sandpaper later, they passed the 3-foot rule.  It was a frustrating experience though.

Every other kit experience has been much better.  Just don't get silos and you'll be fine!

[Kisatchie]

The Cornerstone kits can be madding in their inconsistency.

Some of the kits suffer with terrible instructions... The refinery kit comes to mind.  As do the State St Stores.

Some like the Medusa Cement plant do have tooling issues– the silo's sides are very ill-fitting... almost comical when you look at them.

Some of the retail store-front buildings have brickwork that is overly large.

I built the HO version of the refinery kit about 12 years ago for someone. It was a pain in the (censored).

I heard that about the Medusa Cement plant kit. Looks like I'll avoid that one.

The oversized bricks (within reason) don't bother me, as my eyes aren't good enough to see most N scale bricks unless I'm within 12 to 14 inches away and not wearing my glasses. Outside of that narrow zone, things start to get blurry, and I refuse to get bifocals to correct the problem LOL.


Hmm... I'm glad I didn't
become an ophthalmologist...