Hello fine folk of model railroad land.
I have chosen a shelf orphan for my build in the Tom Schwarz 2019 Winter Build Challenge. I have no idea where I picked up this kit. It is likely I got it at my local hobby shop. The fellow that owns that shop often buys estates and puts everything for sale in the hobby shop. Regardless, I am building Classic Miniatures number 7 - Wells Fargo & Co. Express. This is an actual building in Columbia, CA built in 1857. There is some history about this building found at this website : Columbia State Historic Park (http://www.columbiacalifornia.com/historicstructures_files/wellsfargo.html).
Here is a photo of the actual building:
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.columbiacalifornia.com%2Fhistoricstructures_files%2Fwellsfargo_files%2Fwlsfrgo.jpg&hash=1ce2fe4982ec107a712f70128d5c03d11ac97d5e)
And here is a photo of the kit still in its box just as I found it in my stash of kits:
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myyehudaexperience.com%2Fimages%2FBuilds%2FCM7_WellsFargo_2019Challenge%2FCM7_2019ChallengeIMG_4467.jpg&hash=8d7bb15e67a77a5e740511ea3a4ffba463fd1c50)
So I am off to build this historic gem.
Later.
Jaime
The old HSM/Classic kits came in 2 flavors. The original version had a lot of cutting of thin cardboard for window trim, etc. The later kits replaced a lot of that trim with Grandt Line castings. Which version do you have?
Those are great designs, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with it.
dave
Cheeze, Jaime - where do you store this stuff?!
I'm guessing you won't have to clean the castings as it appears the kit has already been through the wash cycle.
Quote from: deemery on January 05, 2019, 08:39:53 AM
The old HSM/Classic kits came in 2 flavors. The original version had a lot of cutting of thin cardboard for window trim, etc. The later kits replaced a lot of that trim with Grandt Line castings. Which version do you have?
Those are great designs, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with it.
dave
There is only one plastic casting in this kit. It is the railing for the balcony.
The instructions call for the modeler to make the windows. More on that as I get to it.
Jaime
Quote from: vinceg on January 05, 2019, 08:43:41 AM
Cheeze, Jaime - where do you store this stuff?!
I'm guessing you won't have to clean the castings as it appears the kit has already been through the wash cycle.
I found it that way ;D
Jaime
Let's get started.
Again this is the kit box as it sat on my workbench just before I began putting it together.
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myyehudaexperience.com%2Fimages%2FBuilds%2FCM7_WellsFargo_2019Challenge%2FCM7-WellsFargo_IMG_4767.jpg&hash=0dcb2d4a2723c3e2262b2981be5a37e5343d7208)
And this is the contents of the kit box.
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myyehudaexperience.com%2Fimages%2FBuilds%2FCM7_WellsFargo_2019Challenge%2FCM7-WellsFargo_IMG_4768.jpg&hash=3958c1ca7b6f470c0a72c443f389191611aa2206)
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myyehudaexperience.com%2Fimages%2FBuilds%2FCM7_WellsFargo_2019Challenge%2FCM7-WellsFargo_IMG_4769.jpg&hash=a16a641541663c8d77cbdf85e11f507202a73c7d)
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myyehudaexperience.com%2Fimages%2FBuilds%2FCM7_WellsFargo_2019Challenge%2FCM7-WellsFargo_IMG_4770.jpg&hash=ebc1b8bca6ee3e6095978ece3064013bd38e5f15)
As you can likely tell it is not a complicated endeavor. It's basically cardstock and embossed
papper and some stripwood. There is also a few plastic castings and I believe a decal.
Here is an example of the embossed paper provided to use as the brick for the building.
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myyehudaexperience.com%2Fimages%2FBuilds%2FCM7_WellsFargo_2019Challenge%2FCM7-WellsFargo_IMG_4771.jpg&hash=14879ecab09262dc850dc29945285d6e9cd38f7b)
The paper is somewhat yellowed from age. I believe this kit was first released in 1968 by Historic Classic Miniatures.
Somewhere along the way Classic Miniatures picked up the kit and they pasted a sticker on top of the original branding
all over the kit's contents.
There is only one instructions page printed front and back.
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myyehudaexperience.com%2Fimages%2FBuilds%2FCM7_WellsFargo_2019Challenge%2FCM7-WellsFargo_IMG_4772.jpg&hash=c654e66e68ce5fe6ad2fd4c6b40df4553f23a586)
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myyehudaexperience.com%2Fimages%2FBuilds%2FCM7_WellsFargo_2019Challenge%2FCM7-WellsFargo_IMG_4773.jpg&hash=d805e583960ae4d5cd8850ff68bffcf61871fd1e)
I've read through the instructions and they are good but there is a few areas where it gets confusing. Plus,
the instructions call for the modeler to paint the building walls as one builds them along the way. I haven't decided if
that is what I will do.
There are a few full-size templates provided along with a full-size 3-view plan of the building.
More as it develops.
Jaime
Time to break out the hobby knife.
The modeler is expected to cut out all the walls from the cardstock provided. It is not a difficult task but it must be done carefully. Also, the cardstock contains some instructions on it as well so as one cuts out the building's parts, one needs to ensure to pay attention to the print on the cardstock.
Here is an example of one of the cardstock "plates' and the first one I cut (the base of the building).
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myyehudaexperience.com%2Fimages%2FBuilds%2FCM7_WellsFargo_2019Challenge%2FCM7-WellsFargo_IMG_4782.jpg&hash=08a1375b61b3e80549329e25b57c4d0686d1ed16)
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myyehudaexperience.com%2Fimages%2FBuilds%2FCM7_WellsFargo_2019Challenge%2FCM7-WellsFargo_IMG_4783.jpg&hash=346a39b6527763ac1059960aac28e94d58f4dbd8)
I've always wondered where on the printed line one is to cut out these cardstock parts. One of the cardstock plates says to cut along the middle of the line. I didn't do that. I cut along the outside of the line to ensure I didn't cut the parts too short. I figure I can always sand the part and remove any excess.
I bought a new hobby knife to use for this build. I have no idea where my old hobby knife and blades are after moving houses lol :-) The hobby knife I bought is made by Olfa. It comes with 5 blades and they are very sharp and stay sharp for longer than I anticipated. I bought the Olfa knife at Lowe's. If you are interested click here (https://www.lowes.com/pd/OLFA-5-Blade-6-in-Steel-stainless-Utility-Knife/1000035519).
Here is an example of how one is to cut the building walls from one of the "plates" and then one is to cut out the window and door openings.
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myyehudaexperience.com%2Fimages%2FBuilds%2FCM7_WellsFargo_2019Challenge%2FCM7-WellsFargo_IMG_4784.jpg&hash=e5eba2bb3587990fede8a1499af11e5509e835ea)
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myyehudaexperience.com%2Fimages%2FBuilds%2FCM7_WellsFargo_2019Challenge%2FCM7-WellsFargo_IMG_4785.jpg&hash=0f8ce5927b7d260049a689ded35fc91bcd861c10)
This feels like a good stopping point.
More as it develops.
Jaime
Interesting, I'll be following.
Quite an moldie oldie Jaime.....I'll be looking in. :)
Well okay then. You certainly came up with something interesting and a bit challenging for the build challenge. This is going to be fun to follow along. :D
Jaime, I'm following too! This looks like a great "heritage" kit that illustrates the advances, or maybe I should say "the luxuries," of modern kits with finely molded windows and doors and laser-cut floors and walls.
--George
As a kid I built the original HSM "Queen Anne House" with all those cardboard cutouts. It was mostly successful. The one obvious lesson learned was "change your knife blade -frequently-." Also, you could check a Grandt Line catalog/Walthers catalog to see if Grandt did other castings that could be used in this kit.
dave
I will also be following along.
Jim
Good choice I think more of the older building kits need to be built. Good luck Jaime..........
Mike :)
Neat Kit. Thanks for the link on the knife, that looks neat too. Will be following along of course.
Jim D
Jaime
Great to see you at the workbench! I will be following along. It's going to be fun to see what you can do with this one. Do you plan on selling the box on ebay when your done?
Thanks for all the feedback.
It has been interesting to say the least to work in this kit. It truly does give one some appreciation for what is available today.
Jaime
It helps there are enough photos of this building on the web to use as reference. The lower floor doors and windows go from the ground all the way up to the second floor. Furthermore, the doors and windows are recessed into the building.
The modeler has to build up all that from the provided strip wood and cardstock. For example, the recessed areas are built up from stripwood and the embossed brick. Here is a sample of that.
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myyehudaexperience.com%2Fimages%2FBuilds%2FCM7_WellsFargo_2019Challenge%2FCM7-WellsFargo_IMG_4786.jpg&hash=fdc6414e3ffd2c54833e1c91cf9ccd6406092d60)
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myyehudaexperience.com%2Fimages%2FBuilds%2FCM7_WellsFargo_2019Challenge%2FCM7-WellsFargo_IMG_4787.jpg&hash=26cb1bff7d756b65f41a3923cf494d49cbfea6e8)
Note how the plate shows the modeler which piece of stripwood to use and where to "cement" it. Oddly enough the instructions don't provide a suggestion on what type of cement to use. There are three exploded views in the instruction sheet of the windows and doors and all the bits and bobs that make up each one.
Here is evidence of why it is very important that one cut out the door and window openings carefully.
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myyehudaexperience.com%2Fimages%2FBuilds%2FCM7_WellsFargo_2019Challenge%2FCM7-WellsFargo_IMG_4792.jpg&hash=3dc27602eaca9abdd856a41b67337f3c3dbcaefe)
Notice how I went too far and I almost sliced my front wall in two pieces. The front doors and windows take up most of the surface area of the front wall so after cutting out everything there is little cardstock left of the front wall.
And here is where the build is so far.
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myyehudaexperience.com%2Fimages%2FBuilds%2FCM7_WellsFargo_2019Challenge%2FCM7-WellsFargo_IMG_4793.jpg&hash=2348d59cbdb90faa020a24612dc1ee5395e6bbc6)
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myyehudaexperience.com%2Fimages%2FBuilds%2FCM7_WellsFargo_2019Challenge%2FCM7-WellsFargo_IMG_4797.jpg&hash=3523c75946030465411eeae3882850323627cbf5)
The side you see of the walls is what faces indoors. The opposite side of the wall gets the embossed brick paper. I re-read the instructions and was not able to find directions on how to "cement" all the walls together to the base. There is no type of bracing provided in the kit so I will likely find some and add it to the walls. Furthermore, I've decided to "cement" everything together and then paint it... or at least give it my best shot at it.
This feels like a good stopping point.
More as it develops.
Jaime
Interesting to see how the older kits were put together.
Well, it's not all that surprising that a bank has very thick brick walls....
dave
Jaime well done.
Good to see you back at the bench.
Jerry
Really interesting construction, Jaime. It's fun to watch this.
Here's some quick info regarding the manufacturer of these kits... The original owners of the Historical Scale Miniatures kits, Laddie Dick and his wife Betty, were located in San Gabriel, CA in the late 60's & early 70's. They then moved the operation to Reno, NV in the mid 70's with their partner Dale Darney. At that time the business name was changed to Classic Miniatures. All the structures have historical significance, hence the original name. I was fortunate to get to meet all three of them in 1975 at their shop in Reno and again in 1978 when they moved to a different location in Sparks, NV. Wonderful people who did everything they could to make my shopping experience with them a good one. They even put a kit together for me that wasn't currently on the market that was part of their previous line. They are part of the reason I just had to be part of the model railroad business back then. So I went to work for Kadee! I have to say that their kits were my introduction into kit building at 15 yrs. old. Talk about starting out with kits that were not exactly easy to put together. Their attention to all the details which had to all be individually cut out - no laser cut pieces! Once I had built one of these, I figured I could tackle anything!
Kim,
That's great background on these classic kits. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing Kim, things like this are great to read.
I'm happy to share my experience with this company. I became aware of their kits while looking through an issue of 1001 Model Railroad Ideas from 1972. In this particular issue was an article about Historical Scale Miniatures and their line of kits. What fascinated me was the layout that was featured that Laddie & Betty had built as a display piece for all their kits at the time. It was done on a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood and was a simple oval with a siding. Since all the kits they offer were from the turn of the century or earlier, it made for a charming depiction of a small town with a mesa added for some dramatic elevation effect. The title of the article was named "Its Only an Oval?" to show what can be done in a relatively small amount of space. The scene was also snow-covered, further adding to the charm of the scenes. I saw that and was hooked! I began collecting their kits shortly after and ended up with most of them over the next several years.
Wow, Kim! Thanks for the background on these kits. I have an affinity for older kits and shelf orphans. It's fun to put them together and does learn to tackle just about anything after having finished them.
I'll have more of the build later...
Jaime
After this one - if you can find a copy - tackle the Masonic Lodge. Its a beauty and has all sorts of fancy cornice work all around the top of the building. Lots of neat cuts in and out of the brickwork too. I consider it the most challenging kit I have ever built. Then again, it was one of my first builds too...but even today I'm sure I would still find it challenging. :)
Here's a box pic of the kit.
This is an interesting kit and ovbiously has seen alot of shelf life. I have a few older , not the same manufacturer but similar.
Hey:
Will be following along.
Karl