Spence, I contacted Department 56 today and I got a Return Authorization Number. They said they probably can't fix it but they will replace it, although for some reason it may take a couple of months. I will return it as soon as I take down the layout. I'm okay with that. But, I wonder if anyone else has anyone else experienced this problem? Seems strange that it happened to me twice with two different buildings and I haven't heard that it happened to anyone else.
Great building!
Peter
I got one as well from the Amazon sale. Thanks to whoever it was that gave the head's up on the other Department 56 items on sale too as I picked up several of those as well at great prices. I will have to remember to look out for these on sale next holiday season as well.
I was going to wait to try it out until next year, but hearing that people are having issues with them, I will definitely take it out the box and try it out.
The only problem with getting this is now I need to buy other city buildings around the same stature to go along with it. I know the Empire State Building is insanely expensive and so I assume the others are too (Flat Iron, Radio City, etc). So I may just have to look for other larger city buildings that will go with this. I do have the smaller Grand Central Terminal.
Originally Posted by kj356:
Sharp look Dept 56 item.
Looks great on the layout as seen in others layout photos.
Nice to get some tall buildings with a compact base, and the lights really do set it off with a Christmas theme layout.
For any looking a cheaper option for a background building is the 3D puzzles available.
From $8 to $20
Do a search for Chrysler Building 3D Puzzle.
About 20 inches high.
There are also other puzzles of many other tall New York and other buildings that look good on the layout.
You can get micro lights strings of 50 bulbs or more on tiny wire string that look good wrapped around these buildings.
I used some of the tall puzzle buildings in the background on my Christmas layout and they look great.
You know, I saw these puzzles in a store over Christmas and not once did it cross my mind to use them on a layout. But they could go very well in the background. You could maybe shine spotlights on them from the ground to give them light that way. Some buildings would be better in that way than others. I'm thinking like a clock tower or Eiffel Tower or something. Put a single led light at the top spire but just use ground-level spotlights to light the rest of the building. Put the real buildings towards the front.
Great, affordable idea to create a nice skyscraper scene.
