I'd been using the old Atlas station for my PRR Middle Division's fictional town of Lewisport, PA... But it always bothered me because by the 1950s, nearly every surviving depot on the PRR Middle Division was brick. Yet very few decent brick stations were offered in N that could be made to look Pennsy.
The new Walthers Pella depot is a nice little kit they offer in both HO and N. When I first saw it I thought it could be converted to look a little like a Pennsy depot (such as their plan B-2). The main thing that bugged me was the weird blank dormer. I know it's true to the Iowa prototype, but it looks strange to me and also is unique to this model, so says loudly "I am a kit." I decided it had to go.
Here's the stock version as shown on the N Scale Supply website:
The main things I did were to remove the base for the dormer by shaving down the plastic tabs, sanding it flat, and hand-scribing the roof slate detail across the blank area where the dormer would go. I also painted the structure's trim w/ PRR two-tone brown and red window sashes. Concrete trim was painted with PolyScale D&H Gray. I used that same color to paint the mortar lines; I applied the paint full-strength to the walls prior to detailing and window installation, and then buffed it off the bricks with a damp rag.
The depot signs were made in PowerPoint and printed on heavy photo paper.
Here's the old Lewisport scene:
The platform details (benches, baggae cart, etc.) come from the old Atlas depot and the people, obviously, are seperate.
Here's a test-fit of the new depot with the new parking lot (made of styrene):
I know there's a HUGE GAP between the platform and the ballast edge... That's the next step; filling it in so the station looks like it belongs.
One parting shot:
Compare that with the first shot.
Obviously, this isn't a Pennsy prototype structure. But for a two-day project, it comes somewhat closer than did the Atlas station. If the bay window had straight sidewalls instead of canted in at 45 degrees, we'd be even closer. Lastly, I may add some of Pennsy's peculiar rounded dormers at some future date. Since Lewisport is freelanced, the depot can be as well. Additionally, some of the real depots on the PRR Middle Division looked even less Pennsy. For example, Mifflin(town) had a large mission-style brick depot that looks an awful lot like the Walthers Santa Fe depot!
Now I need to spruce up the westbound platform.
Anyway, check out this kit if you need a brick station. I was pleased.
