My Tom Schwarz 2019 Winter Build Challenge - Classic Miniatures 7 Wells Fargo

[NEMMRRC]

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.


Here is a photo of the actual building:



And here is a photo of the kit still in its box just as I found it in my stash of kits:





So I am off to build this historic gem.


Later.
Jaime

[deemery]

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

[vinceg]

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.

[NEMMRRC]

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

[NEMMRRC]

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 


Jaime

[NEMMRRC]

Let's get started.


Again this is the kit box as it sat on my workbench just before I began putting it together.







And this is the contents of the kit box.













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.







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.










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

[NEMMRRC]

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).










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.


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.








This feels like a good stopping point.


More as it develops.


Jaime

[PRR Modeler]

Interesting, I'll be following.

[GPdemayo]

Quite an moldie oldie Jaime.....I'll be looking in. 

[ReadingBob]

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.    

[Opa George]

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

[deemery]

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

[jimmillho]

I will also be following along.

Jim

[madharry]

Good choice I think more of the older building kits need to be built. Good luck Jaime..........
Mike

[Jim Donovan]

Neat Kit. Thanks for the link on the knife, that looks neat too. Will be following along of course.

Jim D