The Modeler's Forum

The Mainline => Dioramas => Topic started by: Ensign on December 06, 2025, 04:49:51 PM

Title: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: Ensign on December 06, 2025, 04:49:51 PM
Hi everyone, I thought I would share with you my latest completed model of this classic "Fine Scale Miniatures" kit The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co.
I did not do a build on this kit simply because it was already done here in the past by forum member Steve Custer.
He did such a good job with it, I saw no reason to do another build thread on this kit.
Here is the link to Steve's build of this kit.
https://modelersforum.com/index.php?topic=4795.15

So I decided to build my kit not as the Chippy Hollow Hardware Co. but instead the John Allen Monuments & Statuary Co. to honor one of the great model railroad builders of all time John Allen.
One thing that I also did a little different from Steve's build of this kit was to add LED lighting to it.
So here is how it came out looking, I hope you enjoy the pics.
_DSC2992.jpg
_DSC2993.jpg
_DSC2994.jpg
Here's how it looks with the LED's at night.
_DSC3003.jpg
Thanks for having a look!

Greg

Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: Dave Buchholz on December 06, 2025, 07:10:58 PM
Looking good....as always with any of your builds.
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: Pennman on December 06, 2025, 11:00:35 PM
Very nice work Greg.
Like Dave mentioned, you are the great model Master!

Rich
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: Jerry on December 06, 2025, 11:06:32 PM
Greg another outstanding build by you!
The lighting is perfect.

Jerry
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: craftsmankits on December 06, 2025, 11:25:42 PM
Beautiful build Greg.  Like it from all angles.  Added lighting is a great touch.  Mark
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: Rick on December 07, 2025, 06:53:40 AM
Greg, you hit another home run with this build.
And of course you added lights.  ;)  ;D
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: friscomike on December 07, 2025, 08:22:34 AM
Howdy Greg, Wow, what a terrific build of the classic kit.  The lighting looks fantastic. Congratulations.  Have fun, mike
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: KentuckySouthern on December 07, 2025, 08:40:43 AM
Great job incorporating the lights into the model.  Well done, love the busyness of it. 
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: ACL1504 on December 07, 2025, 11:30:01 AM
Greg,

Yes, I did enjoy the pictures. The build is stunning. Very appropriate name as well.

Tom
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: Ensign on December 07, 2025, 08:35:13 PM
Guys, thank you all so much for your very kind words regarding my work on this model.
I really appreciate reading them!

Here is another night photo, this time showing the backside of this structure & scene.
_DSC3008.jpg

Greg

Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: SteveCuster on December 07, 2025, 10:24:01 PM
Great job Greg! This was one of my favorite kits to build. I love the LEDs. I've only added interior LEDs to a few of my models, and it can be pretty challenging, especially those gooseneck lights.

-Steve
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: Ensign on December 08, 2025, 09:49:15 AM
Hi Steve, thank you for your kind words and for your wonderful build that you so kindly provided for us here.
It was very helpful to me in my journey of building this kit, and I even used your idea of the 4 barrels loaded onto the skid ready to be hoisted up.
Your photos were so much more clearer to see than George's old B&W photos provided in the kit's instructions.
As for the lighting, I love to do it especially with the LED's. They now allow you to put lights into places that I never would have imagined with the old grain of wheat bulbs.
I also found those gooseneck lights to be a challenge to do at first.
I have since discovered it is way easier to get the soldered LED & magnet wires into the tubing before you bend the tubing into the gooseneck shape.
I can't even tell you how many hours I wasted trying to feed those magnet wires into a gooseneck that had been bent into it's shape before getting those wires into it.
So much easier feeding the wires into the straight tubing first, and then bending the tubing after that.
Thanks again for your help!

Greg
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: Michael Hohn on December 08, 2025, 07:36:09 PM
Very nice, Greg. Your model is full of character.

Mike
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: Ensign on December 09, 2025, 09:23:11 AM
Mike, thanks very much!
Yes George really packed a lot of character into this kit.

Greg
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: Philip on December 09, 2025, 09:43:23 AM
Well done and a nice tribute!
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: Ensign on December 09, 2025, 12:39:39 PM
Thanks! Philip.

Greg
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: Mike the Trainman on December 09, 2025, 12:53:15 PM
Greg very nice build. That is one of my favorite FSM kits. I just so happen to have it on the shelf to build for a friend. Will be looking at your build for reference.
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: Larry C on December 09, 2025, 03:21:01 PM
Greg great looking build and I'm sure John Allen would be honored. The night shots really do make the place look creepy.
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: Mark Dalrymple on December 09, 2025, 04:18:54 PM
Looks great, Greg.

A nice little twist on a classic kit.  The lighting adds a lot.  Nice job on the two toned doors, too.

I bought the walls and castings a while back when they were first re-released.  I had fun doing a little bash with a scratchbuild addition turning the structure into a creamery.  I still have a little shop and water tower to build for that project.

Cheers, Mark.
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: Ensign on December 10, 2025, 10:21:45 AM
Larry & Mark, thanks for your posts and kind words in them!

Greg
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: GaryMc on December 10, 2025, 10:42:28 AM
Greg,
Beautiful build, the night shots with the lighting are perfect.
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: Ensign on December 11, 2025, 09:10:31 AM
Thanks! Gary.

Greg
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: elwoodblues on December 11, 2025, 10:31:15 AM
Greg,

I miss seeing your work, another great build as usual.
Title: Re: Fine Scale Miniatures kit #260 "The Chippy Hollow Hardware Co."
Post by: Ensign on December 11, 2025, 03:04:38 PM
Hi Ron, thanks very much!

Greg