Has anyone out there added a bowling alley to their layout? If anyone has please let me know and post a picture as I need some ideas. Thank you.
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Wow! Since bowling hit its peak in mid 1960's it's surprising that nobody modeling the late 1930's to early 60's has a bowling alley included as part of their town/city?
Has anyone used the Miller Engineering animated Bowling sign to kitbash an existing building into a bowling alley?
Please pics of your bowling alley if you have one on your layout.
I have a St. Nicholas Square Bowling Alley that I picked up a few years ago but I still haven't gotten around to putting it on the layout.
If you are okay with ceramic buildings: Lemax, Dept 56, & St. Nick Square all have made several over the year. Dept 56 just released the "Hohman Lanes Bowling" for their "A Christmas Story" village.
Haven't gotten around to kit bashing a building as yet. I do have the Miller rotating sign and will probably add their animated sign. I think it will be a building front with a diner off in a corner. Most alleys are non-descript buildings with a curved roof and solid plain fronts. Growing up, our alley had a diner (glass walls) just off the front entrance with access to a bar / billiards area behind. I just do not have the space for one as yet.
Copper Alley Holiday Lanes Splitsville (links work)
I think I will do a front like the Copper Bowl - Flat roof in front curved roof behind. My dad used to bowl on a semi-pro tour in the 50s. He and his buddies could really roll a ball. I was lucky enough to meet a few of them. They must have been a wild bunch back in the day.
I recall many lanes that were located in the lower levels of buildings including commercial, church gymnasiums and the Jewish Community Center. The commercial spaces might have retail and/or pool hall on main floor or above. Signage varied for the lanes dependent on building and its location.
i have a Department 56 Bowling Alley if you are interested
Are there any bowling alleys near where you live? If so walk (or drive) past them and look. That should give you ideas what they look like. If you don't have any nearby try Googling "bowling alleys exterior pics". They're over 100 on that site.
A scale bowling alley would be a pretty long building... IMO it should be done with a clear roof or open top. The animation opportunities are interesting. The balls down the alley are pretty straight forward, but the pin action, and pin spotters, might require miniature video!
