Whats next

So, the coal / grain elevator is being test built and looking great (bro dave has asked me not to post pix yet).

The single stall engine house is being built by a volunteer.  Haven’t seen anything yet.  So, whats next?  I’m open to suggestions.

Comments

[cnwnorthline]

There's been a lot of fun quirky little buildings recently. Personally, I'd like to see something a little more urban or modern. Perhaps something along the lines of Hoosier Mama Pie or White Castle. Can't wait to see what you decide!

[cnwnorthline]

And...since it never hurts to ask...I'd absolutely love the building on the right: https://www.flickr.com/photos/86125374@N00/16845441279/

[Dave]

interesting, east side chicago. i was just in this area this morning.

[Charlie]

I think your brick structures are the best available, even though your clapboard buildings are nice also.

In that vain, I’d like to see some small to medium brick passenger stations (Dwight, IL, Jackson, MI and Ottawa, IL) come to mind.

Wes Moorland did a Trolley Barn a while back that was also very interesting and something I’d like build.

[Charlie]

Links to above mentioned train brick train stations:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson,_Michigan_(Amtrak_station)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa_Station_(Rock_Island_Line)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_(Amtrak_station)

[Paul Egri]

When you discussed the conversion to O scale only you said that would not prevent you from designing larger railroad sized structures I would like to see a brewery or dairy large enough to park a RR car or 2 Something like Kosma Tool to keep cost down this could be offered in a modular fashion composed of about 4 or 5 smaller structures put together and sold as assemblies to put together with optional parts to make different factories So far Bruces Hotel and the Church have been the largest offerings and they keep getting smaller Lets see what you would do with a larger structure

[Dan H]

I'd like to see the bonus pages from the DVD/Collections split out into individual downloads. Those metal signs on the "1st Stre​et Comm​ercia​l Buil​dings" collection look great, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet since they are part of a $39.95 package.

Also, more interiors would be useful.

[Dave]

Dan, we have a plan for just that. a DVD called "Fiddly bits" as well as a "vol2 textures" but there is no set time line set. you would still find "first street" to be a great value.
there are hundreds of great bits spread across all the dvds, it's going to take time to get them all together in one place.

[Dan H]

Yes, all the collections ARE a great value, and I own several! It's just that I perpetually have around $10 or $15 in my PayPal account, rather than $40 or $50.

[John]

How about a small town fire house?

[Paul Egri]

I second the Fire house

[Dave]

I have my eye on a firehouse in Gary Indiana. ill be taking a closer look at it soon to see if its workable. my biggest hesitation is the interior. it would have to have at least the first floor included.

[John]

The interior for the 1st fl is cool. Keep things simple and stick to a single engine house. I am looking forward to see what you come up with. :)

[Dan H]

Now that I'm thinking about it, a small gas station would be nice.

[Dave]

How small, what period?

[Dave]

i am working on some modern steel buildings. those blue or tan things you see all over. no soul but everyone wants some.

[John]

1930 thru 1950 :)

[Andy]

I heartily second the gas station idea... I really think that is a notion that not only would really appeal to the core of Clever Models customers, but also has outstanding potential to bring in folks from other hobbies-- gas station nostalgia and the collecting of those artifacts have a popularity and breadth of appeal that are almost impossible to overstate. I think that by simply including an extensive selection of the 'fiddly bits', such as sinage and various styles of gas pumps, the whole range of time periods mentioned could be covered in one model, and the enormous range of possibilities for free styling and making it ones own would be impossible to miss. Honestly, a real grand slam for Clever Models.

I do also think that a classic brick firehouse is an obvious winner, but overshadowed by the stellar potential I feel the gas station idea has.

[Dan H]

Well, I thought it was a good idea, but... GOSH, ANDY!

Anyway, I personally like small, 1920s mission-style/deco stucco stations like this:

http://blogs.kcrw.com/whichwayla/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Station-with-garage-2-600x362.jpg

http://www.gsmrm.org/ho_scale/images/gasstation_proto.jpg

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/images/tx/TXSHAconoco_ks07.jpg

http://historicfresno.org/lrhr/176.htm

You could design it with an optional garage that could be added to either side.

1920s to 1930s would be a good era, because with enough fiddly bits, you could update it pretty easily.

[Charlie]

Of the options Dan H posted above, I like the last version the best. Kind of a Plain-Jane style that seems to be very common and looks like it might be a good candidate for many styles of modelers.

This style might offer the same flexible option that was offered on the White Castle build, namely, it can be the same structure with different materials, brick or porcelain.

If you do a gas station, please be sure to include various signs (Sinclair, Shell, Mobile etc.)

Here is a link for a manufacture to help finish off you gas station models;

http://www.microstru.com/New-Releases.html

Charlie

[Dave]

wow $60 for the sign on a $8 kit.i need to rethink our prices ;)~
i like the ideas here
ill put a gas station on the to do board.