Removing the Oversize Sidewalk From MTH Buildings

pennsyfan:

     Nice, neat job! I have been wanting to do this to some of my MTH buildings, as that sidewalk is much too high, about two feet high in 1:1.  The 3/16 foam board translates to a little less than six inches and that is just about right. I need to do same to the Lionel buildings so that all buildings (MTH and Lionel) are on the same size sidewalk.

John Knapp

Erie, not Eerie

I agree that the sidewalks are way too high.  I took the opposite approach and have raised my streets to reduce the heights of the sidewalks and curbs.

Art

John,

Thanks for the nice comments.

Dennis,

Yes 9" that is still a good curb for midtown.

Art,

That's an equally good approach; but having different types of buildings prompted me to take the singular approach.

The next work on this building will be window shades, then maybe a wash to the brick. I guess that I better use a quick connection as this building has some off layout time in it's future.

The "Toolman", Marvin carries these quick connect pairs in configurations from 2 - 6 leads. He is usually at York and Greenberg in NJ; but I haven't seen him for a few meets.

I just started to do this on one building last night. There are places where I leave the sidewalk in place, but this particular building and area won't work without doing this. Terry

Good job. Sadly all these MTH buildings have the "Gigantor" side walks only because the car wash, diner, and fire station (of which we have none) have moving vehicles. To top it off, the illumination conections and boards are riveted to the base. We have just raised the street and the Lionel buildings.

We just cut out the homosote under the buildings and dropped the buildings into the newly excavated space. Sidewalk height can be adjusted with cardboard shims if needed. It preserves the look of the sidewalk without having to remove the base. No cutting or reattaching of wires necessary.

I have done the same thing as Art suggested.  I am using foam core and masonite to build up the street. 

Good job guys...

Alan

I've been using 1/8" Masonite for my sidewalks (6 scale inches) and they seem to look just right to me.

jackson