Hi, all. I have finally completed a project. I have wired and added a custom sign to the theater marquee. It was 3-D printed from actual pics of the real PLAZA theater by Walt at Trains & things...This build contains 10 separate lights all but one being Woodland Scenics Just Plug lighting system. The ticket booth is a separate Evans Design LED that is wired differently. Managing all the hubs may prove to be a challenge. This is just one building. I have dozens. Preventing and remedying the light leaks was also a challenge. I would advise doing it as you go along in the building process. Summer is a slow time for modeling. I am glad to have checked this off the list. I'm looking forward to the SW1200. Best, Jim
Thanks, all for your kind comments. The lights really do make this kit. Unfortunately, the pics don't do them justice. The marquee is not yellow and the center façade is blue. How do others manage all the wires and hubs? What's the best way to keep them out of sight? I can see this being a lot of these components all needing space. Almost all my new builds have at least one LED. Yes, SLSF, there is a walk-up window. One bag of burgers. One buck. There are still at least two of these buildings still stand in Boston. Both are still eateries of one kind or the other. Jim
Thank you, Matt. The "88" alludes to nothing. It came from a sheet of HO scale model car decals. I thought it looked good on the white marble floor.Jim
Oh no. The truth is not good enough. You need to come up with some back-story for little Easter egg details like that. Let me give you some help. The original owner of the Plaza Theatre, Patrick Narry, served in the 88th Infantry Division, The Blue Devils, during WWII. Patrick wanted to do something as a memorial to for his fallen brothers. So at the entrance to the theatre he had the numbers 88 cast in brass and inset amongst the marble tile, so that those who came to enjoy the show would always remember. Or if that’s too heavy, it could just be a street number. Matt
Hi Jim nice project Where do you get the roof equipment? I search these kind of Air Condition and the climatic channels.
Some air channels are a part of KIBRI industrial building (Kit No 36770). They can be bought also as a part of set of industrial accesories (36690).
Hi, Jurgen. They are from Showcase Miniatures. They are made of white metal. Their details and kits are very good. Jim
I like the way you think. I don't have stuff like that planned for my layout at the moment, but I'm definitely going to think of a few.
Hi, Pawel. You are absolutely correct about the Kibri 6770 detail parts. I have used the detail parts from the factory building on other projects. I would say this kit has more detail parts than any other kit. Kibri once sold the factory, warehouse and boiler house as an all-in-one kit. I use the wall sections to make other building configurations. It would be nice if they made the wall parts in modular pieces for us kit-bashers. I have probably had 5-6 of these kits as well as the separate detail parts. The added bonus is that it looks very US-like. Many of their other kits are too Euro looking for my USA layout. Take care, Jim
You are right about that all-in-one kit ... That was Kibri 6766 which was well over $100 (but I don't think it had the boiler house (6605)). (link) Now the contents of 6766 are (mostly) broken out into the following kits: 36764 contains Shed Building, Smokestack, Gas Tanks, Accessories (link) 36770 contains the factory (link) These added together are presently priced well below that original $115-ish price point: one of the nice things about Viessmann now owning Kibri's dated molds.
Hi, Frank I was not aware that Kibri had been sold to Viessmann. I hope they keep the 6770 design and maybe expand it. I should not have let my Ztrak subscription lapse. Kibri also sold a 6 house "neighborhood" set. The 2 brick houses, one with a garage, looked US enough and are on one of my modules. The other houses looked like ski chalet-style houses. The chimneys and shutters, etc...became scratch building fodder. Kibri's z scale seems to go well with everybody else's stuff. Other z scale manufacturers' seem more like n-scale. A 2 stall stone engine house comes to mind. Do you know if there are any unbuilt Miller city buildings out there? KC's Hardware and Pittman Deli would be useful. Take care. Jim
A really nice build. I hope mine will turn out as well. A post on the AZL forum says that there are some Miller kits being listed on that big auction site. One comment on the 88. I live off CA highway 88. Here we have learned the hard way that "88" is also a coded salute to a German leader of the 1930s and 40s. Mark
Hi, Mark The number is a total coincidence. I had no idea. I don't even want to know how/why it is. I'm sure your build will come along well. The fit of all the parts are precise. I would advise sealing all joints to prevent light leaks if you intend to add lights. All the roof details are available from your LHS. The sign can be customized with 3-D printing. I got mine on-line. It is amazing how strong these kits are once the glue has totally bonded. It's almost impossible to get them apart. I wish there was a way to customize the theater marquee to different movies. Good luck with your build. Jim
