A Thought

I'd like to see this done for Zscale buildings. Houses with some different color schemes. Commercial structures for Walgreen's etc.

THis could be a huge hit for special occasions, birthdays, Christmas gifts, etc.

Another thought that might stir up some comments.
Used to be each town had it's own charm and Character. You knew just by seeing the town buildings, which town you were in. Today with the homogination of America, a lot of towns look pretty much the same--- big box stores, drug store chains, fast food places, car dealers, home fix it and electronic stores and huge Malls that took the business from the down town center, All with the same architecture, dull, utilitarian, mundane, boring, and the same. One town in Conn. required McDonalds to build thier store
to complement the local colonial buildings with limited huge glaring signs. It's sort of too bad many towns have lost thier uniqueness to "Progress??"
Model railroading has mostly gone against this tide, but I see in Walthers that Dairy Queen and other models are appearing. Most of the layouts I've seen do not model these one size fits all across America stores, but retains a local theme.
Fred

I dunno Fred, even in the 50's towns kinda looked the same. the row of brick buildings with storefronts surrounded by wooden and brick houses. Mayberry/Pleasantville/Hill Vally places. When I was REAL little I though I lived near Hooterville as there was the General Store and there was the railroad tracks.
I think that's what attracts people to model railroading, you are building something that reminds you of the past. Walt Disney, (a train buff himself) was trying to sell that with Main Street USA, but 1/1 scale. It was a reflection of small town USA at turn of the century. 50 years later we look back to the 50's 60's 70's of our childhood.
If I was doing BN, say 1978, going through my home town, I would still have the strip of downtown businesses with the barber shop, and the dime store, but I would have the Dairy Queen too, as that was a big deal in my town then. I would be running nothing but unit coal trains by the dilapidated depot and have that big Great Northern boxcar parked by the cement block plant. Of course the grain elevator would be there with the checkered signs.
Sounds like a lot of places in the Midwest. I guess what makes things towns unique are things I looked for as a kid. The ketchup bottle or golf ball water tower, the bridge that looked like it would chop your head off, the BBQ place shaped like a train.
I am not trying to make an exact prototype of my town, but I will make a mixture of things that people would say "yea that looks like my town" as well as some unique landmarks that stand out in my memory.
If there is model railroading in 25 or 50 years, I wonder what the kids will put on their layout?

I agree Kelley- The commercial part of our town looked similar to others, but the buildings had character. I lived in one of those towns and in the 50's - trying to UPGRADE, all the stores went with big glass windows,with metal, and parking lots.- in the 70's- especially for the bicentenial, all the buildings were refaced with a colonial facad and little outdoor eating areas and planted trees replaced the cold and sterile forms they called modern. The charm of the town was found again. I can drive for 20 miles north of here and see the same things, maybe 8 McD's, car dealers, malls, 3 sears etc. So much the same.
Fred

Fred:

If you go to Leavenworth, WA (You've probably been there), the whole town is made in Bavarian theme. The McDonalds there is like how you describe the colonial themed McD's - reduced signage and the building looks Bavarian.

In fact, I have a layout/module in mind to take advantage of this. It will be a mix of Leavenworth and downtown Mt. Angel, OR which is on the same thing. This way, I could mix Euro and American buildings and run American rail with a prototype basis. Mt. Angel, OR is home of Mt. Angel Bottling Company a Pepsi affiliate. This is where the region's Pepsi products come from. The bottling company is rail served if the Google maps show correctly - looks like they get corn syrup by rail. I wouldn't want beer trains rolling on my tracks, but a few Pepsi cars - I'm drinking a can now - would be great.

As for building a Walgreen's or other distinct commercial structure, you would need permission from the company before producing these for commercial scale. Of course, they would probably want a take as well.

Cheers,
Jeremy

I have almost been sent to Leavenworth Ks a few times.. Quite a different place;)

Kelley:

Leavenworth, WA is nestled up against a mountain in the northern part of the Cascade Range. Beautiful snow capped ridges all around. Lots of coniferous trees. No federal penitentiaries in sight. Yes, if you're there, you're not in Kansas anymore.

Jeremy

Hello Jeremy,
Radialman wrote:

If you go to Leavenworth, WA (You've probably been there), the whole town is made in Bavarian theme.

I've been in Leavenworth, WA in the summer of 1987. I agree that the area is beautiful in those mountains, but I hope that I don't hurt your feelings when I say that the town in itself did scare me. In my opinion it was in no way a "Bavarian village", but a town that tried to look like one, unfortunately they just tried...

The worst for me was looking into a shop that sold about everything you will need for decorating your home for christmas (remember I've been there about July...) while behind me a Mariachi band played for dancers...

Now I'm probably banned from visiting Washington state ever again...

Uwe, I've rock climbed in Leavenworth for twenty years. I always felt something was wrong there. When I finally made it to Bravaria I realize I was right. Come back anytime. Cheers, Jim CCRR:dry:

ULie wrote:

Hello Jeremy,
Radialman wrote:

If you go to Leavenworth, WA (You've probably been there), the whole town is made in Bavarian theme.

I've been in Leavenworth, WA in the summer of 1987. I agree that the area is beautiful in those mountains, but I hope that I don't hurt your feelings when I say that the town in itself did scare me. In my opinion it was in no way a "Bavarian village", but a town that tried to look like one, unfortunately they just tried...

The worst for me was looking into a shop that sold about everything you will need for decorating your home for christmas (remember I've been there about July...) while behind me a Mariachi band played for dancers...

Now I'm probably banned from visiting Washington state ever again...

I'm a Washington native, but I've never been to Leavenworth. The more I hear about it, the less interested I become in visiting. You're not banned, Uwe (as if I have any authority either way ). But I wouldn't suggest including Leavenworth on your itinerary, either.

Mike

Sounds like Frankenmuth Michigan.. Fake German place.. It's Ok ..I go the the fake cowboy towns in Germany dressed in a Prussian uniform of the time of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Funny seeing a Pickelhaube in a Tipi, everyone is confused.
The town I am from in Illinois has an "Oktoberfest".. I have been gone so long nobody would know me. I thought about showing up in my lederhosen and saying I am the mayor of Entenhausen and wind up being the guest of honor. I think I could pull this off....

Kelley- Now there IS a scary THOUGHT!

I got you beat

I got a kilt

Ulie:

No feelings hurt here. Though I live about 1 mile from Washington State as the crow flies (40 miles if I have to drive ), my vote won't count. However, you're welcome to Oregon anytime.

I appreciate the feedback though from someone in the know. If I were you, I'd stay away from Mt. Angel then. While part of the town has a "Bavarian theme" and is well known for their 'Oktoberfest' in these parts, the rest of the town is "themed" like, well . . . you're much more likely to hear a Mariachi band.

It's nice to know that if I proceed with making this module, if I make it look too American, I will have succeeded in making it look like Leavenworth!

Cheers,
Jeremy