Which one, Lionel Hobby shop or Ford Dealership

It all uses the same mechanism so there is really no difference.  The difference is whats on top.  Cars vs layouts.

I love my K Line Dealership....

Peter

Putnam Division posted:

I love my K Line Dealership....

Peter

Over the top with the K Line Dealership.  I need something fairly wide with a flat front.  Otherwise ...

Having said that.  If the mechanisms are the same, is one particular release better than the other?  Is there one to avoid.  Mostly speaking about the Hobby Shop if I don't do the Lionel Ford Dealership.

I have a friend in Chicago that owns a Train Store.  He had a Mid-Town new in box.  It should be here by the end of the week.  The Menards World Headquarters was too tall and had a more modern look than what I was looking for.  Down goes the skyscraper and inn goes an old style looking Hobby shop.  More inline with late 50's and early 60's.  Running steam and diesel with a need to not have the era so new as to exclude steam.  I have all of the MTH operating originals.  This one should fit in nicely.

I bought the Lionel Ford dealership, I like it cause everyone has the hobby shop, you don't see many Ford Dealerships on peoples layouts.

I liked the Ford Dealership also.  It was a tough call.  In the end I think I went with the "everyone" choice.  I am looking forward to putting it in operation.  Good luck with your Ford Dealership, and enjoy the experience.  I think things with action add a lot to the general layout.

related, but separate item- Dept 56 makes a Ford dealership with rotating car platform (Mustang).  Dept 56 also makes Chevrolet, Cadillac, Polaris, and Harley dealership buildings.  These are also good for Christmas layouts

I like the Ford dealership, but I'm a "car guy". You can add things such as a used car lot. This one is on my friend's layout.

I had a K-Line Ford Dealership.  I liked it, but the only problem was keeping the FORD Sign on the roof rotating !  It was very tempermental!  Just saying !

Fredstrains

I would not buy either... just way too big!

Of course I have an around the room layout so real-estate is at a premium!

J Daddy posted:

I would not buy either... just way too big!

Of course I have an around the room layout so real-estate is at a premium!

I had lots of room on my Layout!!! It was 40' X. 50' .  I was looking for different structures to fill the "Voids" !   LOL

Fredstrains

I already had the Snow Village Uptown Motors when the K-Line version came out. Even though the Uptown Motors was a smaller building, I thought the SV building had more character than the K-Line, so, I didn't bite.

On the other hand, the Lionel hobby shop is cool.

Jim,

Nearly all the buildings on my Layout are SV.  I mounted the FORD Sign on the roof of the Ford Uptown Motors Bldg. 

Hobby Shop is much better than the Ford Dealership. Much more detail. My favorite Lionel piece. 

jay jay posted:

I like the Ford dealership, but I'm a "car guy". You can add things such as a used car lot. This one is on my friend's layout.

Nice! In a shrunken down model train world a Ford dealership seems more plausible than a block long hobby shop.

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

I am possibly going to incorporate one of these.  I see that people have had some difficulty with diode packs in the Hobby Shop.  Is one version of the Hobby Shop better than the others?  Is the dealership better because of rotating tables?  Any opinions, thoughts or ideas.  Is the Cowen Hobby Shop worth the extra money being asked on EBay?  Any idea where to buy at reasonable prices.

Well my friends, or soon to be after York.  I went ahead and bought a Mid Town Hobbies and placed it on the layout last night.  Have not hooked it up yet, but... "man o man" talk about "they don't build them like they used to".  This piece looks almost hand made from an artisan.  The front doors open smoothly and close with spring tension.  No sloppiness whatsoever.

I assume build quality is same for all buildings including the car dealership.  I would recommend purchasing in a heartbeat.  If anything, it would give a great reference point to judge other structures on your layout.  I am pleased I purchased this piece.