Vol. 1 Issue 4 - July 2005zz

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MANIFEST

Editor's Thoughts
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Walther's HO Modulars
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Why Todd needs just 15 more minutes - and why you do too!

MODELING

TomPM converts an IHC Camelback engine to Lehigh & New England.
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Matthyro does windows

END OF THE LINE

Have a little fun! _________________

Letter to the Editor

BACK ISSUES

Apr 2005
Jan 2005
Dec 2004
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Editor:
Ed Gagnier
Publisher:
Mike Pizzano
Art Director:
Val Fullard
Contributors:
Todd Groettum
Tom MacKintyre
Robin Matthyson

PRODUCT REVIEW

Walthers HO Modular Building Parts
by SPITFIRE

I love modelling urban industrial scenes, with massive factory complexes, so when Walthers brought out the first of their line of modular parts, I just had to try them.

I have come to expect a high degree of architectural and structural accuracy from Walthers' Cornerstone series, and the modular parts live up to that high standard. The brickwork is crisp and to scale, and accurately represents turn of the century North American industrial architecture. Windows have well-defined arches above and sills below, and the brick cornice pieces are an exact match to many prototype buildings I've seen and photographed.

The engineering of the pieces is also up to Walthers' typical high standards, and every piece fits together easily and more importantly, perfectly. This is a huge improvement over those other modular parts which Don't Particularly Mesh!

Of course, nothing in this world is ever perfect, and where Walthers Modulars disappoint is the way they have been packaged - for maximum cost to the modeller. It's not possible to simply buy the wall pieces, because they require pillasters in between wall sections. So, that means you also have to buy the "Wall Columns and Caps" set. Personally, I think it would be a lot better if the pilasters came with the wall sections, and I resent having to buy a set of these as a separate item.

Another thing I didn't like was the misleading way the walls are shown on the packages and the website. Those walls look like they are 2-storey, but in fact they have to be glued together to be 2 storeys. A small quibble I know, but it cost me a trip back to the hobby shop because I thought I'd gotten the wrong size.

The fact is though, that the results that are possible with these parts completely outweighs any minor problems. They are extremely well-designed, not just from a visual standpoint, but from a structural one. The interlocking tabs mean that everything lines up right the first time - no mis-aligned pieces ever! And if you're reasonably careful, you can get seamless multi-storey walls. Buildings can be any length or height that you desire.

I built my first effort as a low relief background building, but I won't be stopping there. These modulars really make anything possible!

The author built this structure from the Large Walls & Windows (Part # 933-3723) and Wall Columns & Caps (Part # 933-3725).