![](https://d2culxnxbccemt.cloudfront.net/mra/content/uploads/2020/02/28124926/Walthers-1.jpg)
For a number of years, Walthers has offered its large buildings in a version that fits nicely against a backdrop for layouts with limited space. I built the full-size version of this furniture building for my Bluff City Southern more than 20 years ago, so why would I need to read the directions? Well, I was wrong about that. Curt Goff, a friend, and a regular operator on the BCS asked me to build a series of these buildings for his railroad. So, I decided to start with the furniture company.
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I did at least check the box for all the right parts. There are extra windows and pilasters because the molds are used for both the full-size version and this abbreviated version. I always save any extra parts for use later. You never know when something will come in handy.
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Rather than glue the walls to the base that came with the kit as the instructions indicate, I decided the I would glue them together without the help that would have come from the base. I discovered it was hard to tell how the side walls fit against the front. Did they go behind the main front wall or ahead of it? I compromised and made the joint halfway between the two positions. It’s a good idea to use clamps to hold the joint while the glue dries. This is simply a clothespin with the wooden pieces reversed. I have a number of these clamps that often come in very handy.
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By gluing the walls as I did, I learned that I had to trim about 1/8” off the sub roof seen here, as well as the base itself and the main roof. It just made extra work for me, but I managed to make it all work out.
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I got the building together without too much trouble after I did all the trimming. The sub-roof and the main roof have been added in this picture.
![](https://d2culxnxbccemt.cloudfront.net/mra/content/uploads/2020/02/28125001/Walthers-6.jpg)
The kit didn’t include a back wall, so I made one from a piece of Plastruct tubing that perfectly matched the existing walls. I also added the little right-angle trim pieces on this wall as well as the front wall.
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I sprayed the building outside with several gray colors before I weathered the walls.
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I brushed on my alcohol and India ink wash with the structure turned upside down. Here I applied an acrylic wash of yellow and white to make the wall colors varied. Walls are never one consistent color. You need to add light and dark effects.
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Next, I glued the windows and doors from the rear using contact cement. I had to be very careful with this because the windows are just large enough to fit the opening with almost no lip to hold the glue. I first added some tacky canopy glue to the walls in order to hold the window in place before I added the contact cement, which makes a very strong joint.
![](https://d2culxnxbccemt.cloudfront.net/mra/content/uploads/2020/02/28125026/Walthers-10.jpg)
After adding some roof details including a water tank, two vents made from a piece of candy packaging, and an access hatch made from a plastic container, I sprinkled on ballast to waterproof the roof. This was set in place with a diluted white glue mix. To make the glue flow better I dribbled on rubbing alcohol and then applied the glue.
![](https://d2culxnxbccemt.cloudfront.net/mra/content/uploads/2020/02/28125032/Walthers-11.jpg)
Since the furniture company had so many windows, I added simple interior details. The two pieces on the top floor are packing used for ink cartridges. The silver thing is something from my scrap box. I just needed things that looked like machines. Then I got pictures from the internet of machines and lumber stacks. I stuck these in place with white glue.
![](https://d2culxnxbccemt.cloudfront.net/mra/content/uploads/2020/02/28125038/Walthers-12.jpg)
Here you get an idea of the finished building’s interior. You can’t really make out any particular objects. It just looks occupied. I also added interior photos from a furniture company behind the 3D pieces and paper cut outs. I added a sign atop the structure.
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Here is the angle from which most people will see the building. It seems we are always looking down on the scenes on our railroads. Now I only have 8 more buildings to make for Curt!
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GREAT job so good 'll looking.
Are these kits available in O Gauge?
Nicely done. COFFEE STIR STICKS instead of pictures of lumber. At $2/1000 they are cheaper than a picture.
Nice job. I built the same building, but used the entire building, and turned the back 180 degrees in order to still have a "background building" but make it twice as long. I did the same thing with Cornerstone's Pillsbury building. If you have the space, it gives you twice the length to spot cars.
Yes, I have one on my Layout for years which believed or not I am in the middle of revamped