I just learned about this company in England. Has anyone ever used them before? Specifically, has anyone had anything made bespoke from them before? They look pretty legit. Here's the link: https://www.postcardmodels.co.uk/
A custom made kit of any building sounds very tempting. They are not open for business yet. Thanks for sharing this. I'd like to see what they have to offer. Jim
Yea, but at a certain point, isn't a shed a shed no matter where you are in the world? If all they make are Euro-centric buildings perhaps, then, these would make excellent foundations on which to kitbash to make them look more "local."
I'd like to see more industrial type buildings. Buildings with skylights and fire escapes...breweries, bakeries, buildings with piping and silos. Kibri 6770 factory kit is a great kit with loads of details. More kits in this style. Flexibility in design would be nice, i.e. walls that could be easily refigured to make different sizes and shapes of buildings. More waterfront buildings. How about a car float in z scale? A brass bascule-style bridge would be nice. I am partial to urban railroading. Anything related to it would be welcomed and probably purchased. Jim in Boston
I'd like to see some tilt-ups: commercial and industrial buildings build of similar repeating panels. One could shape the building by selecting the number and type of panels.
Exactly what Boston Jim said! Plus, a standard depot like the Milw, C&NW, Rock Island, and others used.
Walther's had a good idea in N-scale with they're "Modulars" line of buildings, same as DPM with they'res. No brass though, even though it's very detailed, few know how to solder.
That is what I have in mind. Modular components that can be easily arranged into different size and shaped buildings. Something with an urban-American look. I am interested in switching operations in small spaces. Small clusters of brick buildings always look interesting. You are right about the brass. I have a Train Cat 2 track girder bridge that has sat unbuilt because I don't think I have the soldering skills to do it. It can be glued. But I know it should be soldered. It will be an integral part of my mainline one day. It is time I learned to solder. I will see who is offering clinics this spring. I have Atlas flex track and turnouts for the trackwork. I would like to solder leads to each section. Soldering required. It is a skill worth knowing. Jim
I really appreciate the feedback. Not able to speak to the modularity piece, but there is quite a bit of existing artwork for moderately-sized Z SCALE industrial buildings: Luetke 73204 Factory Building (link): Luetke 73202 Factory Warehouse (link): Luetke 73206 Brewery / Industrial Building (link): They also provide a "brewery accessories set" that includes vats, kegs and pallets #73209 (LINK). There is even a huge brewery "campus" set with several industrial buildings and accessories included #73400 (LINK). Luetke 73215 Wine Warehouse (link): I think a lot of figuring out what people want needs to start with understanding what we have available at present. There is quite a bit of product out there that is kind of difficult to account for all of it. Let me know if these buildings are lacking and what else may be better (I understand the modular idea - it's a very good one). But I see a lot of these "we need this in Z" when we already have something that is CLOSE to the targeted building.
Hi, Frank Thanks for posting these photos. I have seen this line and have even used some of their interior detail items for other builds. I do find the buildings to be too Euro-centric looking. I would be interested in large, sprawling industries that could be the focal point of a switching layout/module. I model the Northeast. Most of the buildings in my era were brick or stone and had additions added on thru the years. That is what would interest me.. Jim in Boston
This cardboard lasered kit might be interesting to you: See: https://www.markenburg.nl/en/thema-grotestraat/322-fabriek-in-oude-staat.html Matt
Jim, I have this kit lying around until I get to it. I've built a few of the Markenburg kits, they can be compared to Archistories; very refined brick work. Delicate sometimes, takes time and patience to build but very accurate and a pleasure to build. I will post pictures, eventually, but don't hold your breath
Ditto, that. I have 2 built Archistories kits. The "Sanders" water tower and the windmill (I couldn't resist.) Both are exceptional models and are precise in their assembly and hardly need any weathering or other treatments. I did add a Micron Arts lightning rod to the water tower. The only drawback I can see with paper kits is kitbashing or kit mingling with other kits. Has anybody used them as parts for a kit-bashed build? I'd like to see it. I have recently started to build paper kits. I had no idea there were as many manufacturers out there. I had never heard of Markenburg. Reynauld's has a pretty good selection of European paper kits. I have a "wish list" of things I want to get. I am interested in the Markenburg warehouse. Thanks for the info. Jim in Boston
As far as carton kits are concerned the high end products are MBZ products (most of them are available in popular scales HO, TT, N and Z !). There are not too many "bog industrial structures" but maybe you will find something interesting: http://www.fotos.mbz-modellbahnzubehoer.de/1_2/index.htm Do not forget the second page !
