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I have several MTH buildings like the picture below with the sidewalk. On some, I have removed it altogether. Today, I ran into a situation where the lights and supporting equipment make it really difficult to separate them.

 

So to my question, how do you install these buildings on your layout when you have multiple heights for sidewalks? Pictures are certainly welcomed!

 

Thank you, Terry

xctmpdpDIGy[1]

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Last edited by EastonO
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I'm still at the 'what should I do with the MTH building sidewalks' phase myself.  I did put the buildings down as is on the same surface, 2" foamboard, as everything else.  It doesn't look too bad from above but as you can see from this picture there's quite a difference between the MTH sidewalks on the right, and cork material I used on the left.

I'm leaning towards pulling up the MTH buildings and countersinking the area underneath, to approx. level as on the left.  Not a priority at the moment as other areas need more attention.

P1010255

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I decided to use the MTH sidewalks.  I first paint them with a flat aged concrete color to remove the shiny finish.  Then where I mate them with other buildings I use the right height MDF and paint it with the same paint.  Lastly I raise my roadway so that the curb height is correct.

 

In the picture you can see a couple MTH buildings with painted bases, then an Ameritown and a Woodland Scenics, followed by another MTH.

 

 

spencer1

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Thanks Frank & Bob.

 

I have Home Depot mix me an aged concrete color in a flat latex.  After I paint it, I brush black and gray chalks over it and rub them off with a rag.  I use striping tape that I get at the LHS, it probably designed for model airplanes.  I rub chalk over it too to tone it down a little.  Sometimes I like to use a Sharpie marker to draw tar marks and oil spills on it.  Hope this helps.

 

You didn't ask but I also paint all my buildings with a mortar colored paint and then wipe off the excess.  That not only adds the mortar in the bricks, but gives the brick a flat subdued color and ties everything together.  Just removing the shine of the plastic adds a lot to the realism in my opinion. 

 

Art

Last edited by Chugman
Come over and do some sidewalks for me!  Good work Chugman.
 
Originally Posted by Chugman:

Thanks Frank & Bob.

 

I have Home Depot mix me an aged concrete color in a flat latex.  After I paint it, I brush black and gray chalks over it and rub them off with a rag.  I use striping tape that I get at the LHS, it probably designed for model airplanes.  I rub chalk over it too to tone it down a little.  Sometimes I like to use a Sharpie marker to draw tar marks and oil spills on it.  Hope this helps.

 

You didn't ask but I also paint all my buildings with a mortar colored paint and then wipe off the excess.  That not only adds the mortar in the bricks, but gives the brick a flat subdued color and ties everything together.  Just removing the shine of the plastic adds a lot to the realism in my opinion. 

 

Art

 

Originally Posted by Trainman2001:

Chugman, how wide are your streets? I think I've made an error only making my main street 7 inches wide. With the 1/43 cars, they have to be really careful or they take off the side mirrors of any parked cars.

I made my streets 10" wide or 2 1/2" per lane.

 

Clem - I really like your dropping the MTH gas station down so it's flush with the street.  I plan to do that with mine too.

 

Art

Sidewalks and...After reading all these posts, I decided for the one building in the picture below, I really needed to remove the MTH base - I had looked at doing this twice and saw too many wires and quite a bit of other electronic equipment screwed to the base so I passed until all your posts.

 

It didn't really take all that much time, but there was one wire I couldn't figure out. It went to the Spirits sign diagonally attached to the building...well, until I took it apart, that sign wasn't lit and the MTH website didn't list it as a lighted sign. I pushed the plug in a little further, turned on the power and both the interior lights as well as the sign lit right up.

 

Unintended consequences with a great outcome! Thanks again for all the comments and pictures!  Terry

 

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Last edited by EastonO
Hey, I have a need for a MTH sidewalk only (no building).  I would prefer a larger sidewalk from the Movie Theater or Bus Terminal.  If anyone has MTH sidewalks they no longer need.  Please drop me a line, I'd like to buy one or more.
 
Dave.
 
Originally Posted by Norton:

I take all of the sidewalks off and mount the buildings on 1/8" MDF. If the buildings have tabs or posts like MTH buildings have I drill holes or cut slots to accept then. This locates 

the building and allows them to sit flush with the MDF.

 

Pete

 

To Chris D, simply use a sharp #2 pencil and draw the "expansion joints" . I use 3/16" Masonite, painted with Rustoleum sand texture paint. Let it dry, scuff or lightly sand to dull it, draw curb lines 1/8" from edge, add seams about every 2". Then draw your " expansion joints to your liking. I chose 1 " square, looks realistic even up close! Add water drains as needed with brown sharpie to simulate rusty cast iron. Good luck!

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Last edited by CLIFFORD

The enormous sidewalks have been a real turnoff and have resisted building that include them completely. I understand that in some cases, such as operating buildings, they are necessary, but in many cases they are not. I would think MTH building would be even more popular sans sidewalk. I also think so many here have done an amazing job of mitigating the issue.

I just leave mine alone because I want to maintain the integrity of the model itself, although I can certainly appreciate modifications done to improve realism.  Just like Plasticville stuff.  I won't paint or change the pieces (even though they aren't really that realistic to begin with), simply to preserve the original classic appearance.  My biggest problem with MTH buildings is their lighting--they are too dim in many instances compared to LEDs or even conventional bulbs that one finds in pole lamps, etc.  The MTH barn, for example,  has lights inside but I have to turn up the wattage to get an acceptable level of illumination which causes the other bulbs on the circuit to burn too brightly.  For what one has to spend on these plastic stamped-out models, I would think that better illumination would be built-in.

I gotta go with Chugmans solution with the exception of the gas station.

That needs to be dug into the surface to allow cars driving in and out smooth transition. I may go half and half there. I may trim the sidewalk height but I won't remove it.

 

GG-1Fan

I would point out something as an old former farm boy.

Older Barns are typically very poorly lit IF Lit AT ALL.

Modern Barns are probably better but for the time when Barns were common they were lit with a oil lamp or two hanging in a very large space.

Not more than enough to keep from walking into things.

Those oil lamps eventually got replaced by a bare 60 to 100 watt bulb hanging in the same place.

Still very poor lighting.

Also, the Barn was only lit if someone was in there working, not for too long in most cases.

Last edited by Russell
our current cattle barn has two 75 watt light bulbs in it.......
 
 
Originally Posted by Russell:

GG-1Fan

I would point out something as an old former farm boy.

Older Barns are typically very poorly lit IF Lit AT ALL.

Modern Barns are probably better but for the time when Barns were common they were lit with a oil lamp or two hanging in a very large space.

Not more than enough to keep from walking into things.

Those oil lamps eventually got replaced by a bare 60 to 100 watt bulb hanging in the same place.

Still very poor lighting.

Also, the Barn was only lit if someone was in there working, not for too long in most cases.

 

Originally Posted by Mill City:

The enormous sidewalks have been a real turnoff and have resisted building that include them completely. I understand that in some cases, such as operating buildings, they are necessary, but in many cases they are not. I would think MTH building would be even more popular sans sidewalk. I also think so many here have done an amazing job of mitigating the issue.


Sadly they are all high to match the operating car wash, diner, and fire station dimensions. The curb and walks would have been fantastic a bit smaller.

Last edited by Lima

I totally agree that barns are poorly lit and I'm not even a farm boy myself.  We have a lot of Amish barns around here, and, of course, they do not use electricity; but even the "English" barns are dim, too.  My point is that IF someone wants a bit more illumination or even less, that is an adjustment that the consumer makes, not the manufacturer of the barn.  I say that we should have the option, depending on what WE want to achieve, and so I would suggest that MTH provide better lighting.  Actually, the problem I have is balancing the lighting in the barn with other lighting.  If the other lighting is too high and is on the same circuit, then when I cut down the wattage, the barn light is almost non-existent.  The bulb wattage should be more compatible.  I went to the TCA York show a year ago and saw a train layout, a part of which featured that barn.  It was fantastic and prompted me to buy one for myself.  The model railroad club member had brighter lights than what you might consider normal.  But not only was the bottom illuminated, but also the top.  He apparently changed the lighting for that purpose.  Inside you could see straw and farmers working in the barn through the open door--a real nice touch.  But if the illumination was not there, all that detail would be lost.

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