Faller Gmbh structors - Black Forest

shelbys_dad

New Member
I am still researching the 1850's-1890's era Romania. It was suggested that any old German era might be adequate. I have been looking at some buildings.

This one for the industry along with a sheep farm as these were the actual working industries from that era. As for the community, I was thinking about these kits.
Does anyone have experience with these kits? Please share.
 

nkp174

Active Member
I have no experience with Faller (once had a Heijan turntable).

But, those are darn cool looking structures.
 

shelbys_dad

New Member
They "kinda resemble" late 1800 Romania, but the architecture is a bit different. I'm thinking it's close and should suffice.
 
Old European architecture depends very much on the region. Just traveling one hour from the Black Forest, you will find a completely different style. Buildings before the 20th centurey depended on local resources like wood, granit or clay for brick. Romania is not different in that respect. You need to narrow down the erea and find out the major source of building materials at that time. A Black Forest farmhouse could be completely out of place in one part of the country but perfectly fine in an other, like the forest covered Transylvania where a lot of Germans lived since the middle ages.
Romania was always considered a poor country since it was occupied most of the time by other countries. So you won't find a lot of 3 story farmhouses since this was a sign of a rich owner.

Faller was always a more affordable alternative to Vollmer but has improved a lot over the last few years. I never had any problems building similar kits from Faller.
 

ozzman

New Member
I agree with the previous reply re the applicability of the Black Forest kits. If you haven't done it already I suggest you have a look at the Romanian national tourist office website, which might have some photos of traditional houses etc. By the way, the Balkans were much fought over in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as the old Ottoman empire crumbled and retreated.

I'm also encouraged by the comments on Faller kits - I'm looking at using a few of them for my planned Z Scale layout.

Gary
 

shelbys_dad

New Member
Thanks for all the input guys, It really helps out.

Roland, I have the era narrowed down and wood and wool were the main resources.

Garry, I have been to romaniatourism.com and I have around 35 bookmarks dedicated to research info. I thank you for the website, but I didn't find the images as useful as others, they were very small. The website is however, very rich in information.
 

Mountain Man

Active Member
In any region like that, a local iron foundary would be natural, as would any number of "cottage" industries, such as a wagon or coach shop, wheelmaker, harness industry and so forth.

As for any modifications to obtain that "Romanian" look, those structures look eminently "bashable"!

Just think ,you could name your primary loco "The Vlad"! Yeah, I know...boooo....but I had to try! :cool:
 

shelbys_dad

New Member
In any region like that, a local iron foundry would be natural, as would any number of "cottage" industries, such as a wagon or coach shop, wheel maker, harness industry and so forth.

From the research I have done, none of what you stated above were the main source of industry. I'm not saying those "local iron foundry, cottage, industries, coach shop, wheel maker and harness industries" did not exist mind you, they were not as important to southern Wallachia's economy as timber and wool. It are these primary industries that I'm after, to display the true Romania. Coach shops & wheel makers and such were common across the world in that time line and as the modeler it is my "goal" to stay true to the Romanian culture as possible. providing as much truth to the viewer of layout as I can, not only to entertain the spectator but to educate them as well.:thumb:
 
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