Erie Railroad Mahoning division HCD

[sizemore]

But I don't think a DPM building would work. This is what's throwing it off for me, yellow represents the oversized versus, the greens which are scale. The red lines represent the flow of the eye which shows the scale disparity between the DPM and WT based on height.



This image shows exactly what I mean with the red lines from the previous:


*this is an awesome pic BTW!

Damn you kids are too quick for me....

The S.

[DKS]

Some thoughts. I like the masses of the new buildings--Walther's Merchant Street II?--but their bricks are so horribly oversize that, next to the delicately-detailed White Tower, they look even more massive. The DPM building at least has the benefit of bricks closer to scale. Seeing the proto photo, I can see what you're after, and in hindsight, it may have been the color combination making it seem worse than it was. I'm wondering if the side wall of the DPM building was replaced with windowless brick, and toned down with a dark ruddy brick color, if it would reduce the contrast. Also, to the left of the proto White Tower is a little building that I wonder might be the perfect spot for the WillModels kit. It might help flesh out the scene. This one may take a while to nail down (believe me, I can identify), but you'll know it when it works, and it ought to be a winner.

BTW, ironic that the proto photo, in its original orientation, represents the current model... what if you flip the layout instead?

But I don't think a DPM building would work. This is what's throwing it off for me, yellow represents the oversized versus, the greens which are scale. The red lines represent the flow of the eye which shows the scale disparity between the DPM and WT based on height.

I don't think the building fronts are that far off. The tops of the uppermost storefront windows in the proto photo are mostly obscured by signs and awnings, which I think may be misleading--and this perhaps offers a way for the DPM kit to be similarly "adjusted." Also, look at the position of the second-story windows relative to the top of the White Tower wall (purple lines); it's quite close to correct.



I do agree about the side windows, though, which is why I think a solid windowless wall would not only look better but be more in keeping with the proto scene.

*this is an awesome pic BTW!

+1

[sizemore]

I don't think the building fronts are that far off. The tops of the uppermost storefront windows in the proto photo are mostly obscured by signs and awnings, which I think may be misleading--and this perhaps offers a way for the DPM kit to be similarly "adjusted." I do agree about the side windows, though, which is why I think a solid windowless wall would not only look better but be more in keeping with the proto scene.

For the fronts, its really the doors on the DPM that throw it off. With the right hand WT, the front door is only 1/2" away exacerbating the height discrepancy. And I agree a blank wall would look really good there on the side of the DPM.

The S.

[DKS]

For the fronts, its really the doors on the DPM that throw it off. With the right hand WT, the front door is only 1/2" away exacerbating the height discrepancy. And I agree a blank wall would look really good there on the side of the DPM.

This could be easily corrected. I'd be tempted to chop the door out, then put in a few steps at the bottom of the opening and install a new door that's raised and recessed. Adds a little more interest, too.

[Chris333]

I posted the proto pic to show how small the WT's really were.

[DKS]

I posted the proto pic to show how small the WT's really were.

And the photo almost exactly duplicates your layout setting. I'd be curious to see if the WillModels kit will fit behind White Tower.

[wazzou]

It'd be a good place for a Barber Shop as it's near the depot. 
Who wouldn't want to grab a quick burger, get a cut, shave and shine before boarding a train to see your dame in the country for the weekend.

[Baronjutter]

Door heights can really vary, specially on older buildings.  There's a bunch of store fronts from the "DPM Era" in my town and some of them have extra tall doors, like 9'.  If I exactly measure to scale I often find DPM buildings are too low in their floor heights, specially the ground floors which were often 12+ feet for nicer stores.  Not at all uncommon for them to be 13 or 14' for the ground floor so create a grand tall retail space that would often have a mezzanine or something at the back.

I've been scratch building a lot of stuff lately based on exact real scales and I find the DPM's often look under-scale compared.

[Dave Schneider]

You might also take a look at the Monster Modelworks kits.
This one has a nice plain brick wall, and scale bricks that might look good next to the White Castle.
http://monstermodelworks.com/N-Scale/N-Kits/N-Scale-3-Story-Storefront-Starter-Structure-Kit.html

As DKS has observed many times in the past, the issue of scale/detail is tricky. Something built exactly to scale sometimes looks out out place next to other structures. I have noticed that the scale size bricks lose definition at typical viewing distances and lighting.

The sight line analysis by Sizemore is very informative. Another thing to consider is whether to add a slight bit of topography to the modeled scene, and add a base to the WC as in the photo. That might bring the sight lines better into "agreement".

This is a great thread and modeling (as usual Chris)!.

Best wishes, Dave

[bbussey]

I, also, was going to suggest a Monster Modelworks kit.  The WT really calls attention to the scale of the doors/windows on the DPM buildings.

OT — the White Tower book that is the source of the photo is a fascinating photo essay of the company's various structures throughout the northeast over a 40-year period, and how they were arranged based on the space available.  The 187-page book can be acquired for under $10, ISBN 026208368X.

[Chris333]

http://www.shorpy.com/node/3618

About the Walthers brick size. It has actual mortar lines that will show up later when painted, the DPM stuff looks like someone took a flame and melted it. And as Dave said about his own Monster Model brick, the HO stuff looks better because the N is just too small. The only thing I don't like about the new 2 buildings is the ends of the taller one, the windows are too close to the edge I think.

About cramming even more buildings. This is a thru-way or alley to get behind the passenger station to the express siding on the other side. Box trucks would need to be able to get through.

The big blank brick wall in the proto photo. Looks like an old building was torn down on that corner.

[Chris333]

I like these 2 buildings better than the DPM and now with storefronts it probably took 4 hours to build, I'm keepin' it 


Barber shop sounds good for the place on the left.

Here is the whole situation plan with the black styrene being pavement.


There will probably be something else behind the buildings. I was thinking a some type of wooden storage shed though.

[Baronjutter]

That's going to be a really cool scene.  I like all your buildings.  It's amazing what just a small amount of kit-bashing can accomplish to create much more natural and unique looking buildings.

[OldEastRR]

But either way, the problem is easily solved, so I fail to see the purpose of your rant.

Chris asked for a certain solution for a problem that he worked out already. And so everybody comes back with their "solutions" from use another building, put it behind the DPM, re-arrange the roads and sidewalks.... didn't anybody listen to his request? So if I ask "Do you have a hammer?" do I expect to get "Why don't you use a saw?" or  "Can't you find a way to get it done from the back?"
THAT'S annoying. Maybe Chris likes getting off the wall answers -- if so, I apologize for complaining.

[OldEastRR]

I like these 2 buildings better than the DPM and now with storefronts it probably took 4 hours to build, I'm keepin' it 

I used  a Walthers Merchants II in a downtown scene and when paired with the DPM buildings they had way too many windows - front, back, sides. I used scrap wall from the kitbash to brick--in a few windows here and there on each floor -- not more than 2 each floor each wall side, and that really made a big difference. The key was to cut and insert the block-outs so they looked like they were part of the original wall, not just a bricked up window. That meant removing the cornice and sills from the filled windows.
As for blank wall/no blank wall whichever it's a great place for a large wall advertisment, lots of eyeballs would see it.  I tried to include a picture of a Langston Coke ad that he modified to fit around the windows of a DPM building, it looks pretty cool. From my observation of old wall signs in New England, the parts of the sign that covered the windows were painted right on the windows: glass, mullions, frames, etc., making a complete wall sign. That might be a neat effect to have.
There's also a place called T2 Decals  ( Thorn1420002@hotmail.com ) which sells "ghost" signs of faded wall ads from various eras. http://www.ebay.com/itm/N-Scale-Ghost-Sign-Decals-29-/201071677610?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item2ed0ce50aa