Help with Kato "Billboard Architecture" Buildings

[Krackel Hopper]

hey hey,

Haven't posted much lately..

After a small break, and much debate.. I've decided on a T-trak style layout with some modified modules.

Many in the midwest know very little about Japanese model railroading, so I've decided I want to do my modules as an "advertisement" of sorts.  One module of nothing but Kato, a module of Tomix, a module of Tomytec, a module of Sankei.. you get the picture.  Many know the Kato name, but I think it would be informative and provide people with a unique look at scenery/structures they never knew existed.

The first module I am doing is with the Kato "traditional style" buildings.  I have the Kato rural station and platforms.  I have some of the Kato traditional houses and shops (23-452/23-451) and have just ordered the post office and freight forwarding office (23-454/23-457)  It will be a 3 track station, and along the back/front (module will be reversible) a road with a row of these traditional buildings.

Long story short, I am interested in some of the Kato "Billboard Architecture" buildings.  Kato sells a 4pk of different replacement facades.  Since they sell these replacements, I know you can remove the original facade.  My question is, is the building complete without the facade?  Can you just remove the facade and use the building as a traditional style building?

Thanks!
Jon

[bill937ca]

For trains I find HS has the best pictures, but for some of the smaller things and details I usually check out Plaza Japan's site.  One drawback: by the nature of eBay his pictures are only available as long as the item is in stock.  These items are still in stock, however.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Billboard-Architecture-Facade-Assortment-Kato-23-470-/200394039660?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item2ea86a616c

Plaza Japan description:

"For use with Kato Billboard Architecture (Kato 20-470, 20-471, 20-472, 20-473)
*Not for use with Billboard Architecture Corner Shops (Kato 23-475, 23-476, 23-477, 23-478)
Facade Assortment comprises 4 kinds of different facades with windows. They can replace the facades originally installed on the buildings to enhance variety.
Billboard Architecture was built as shops in '20s and '30s and still can be seen in cities and towns mostly in the central part of Japan."

These strike me as the type of building found in places bypassed by modern prosperity.  If these places weren't bypassed these buildings would have long ago been replaced by newer, larger structures.

[Krackel Hopper]

I agree on the photos, I often use PlazaJapan for structures because they will list dimensions of buildings!

I think these buildings would look just fine with the Kato Rural Station I'll be using

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rural-Station-Set-Kato-23-220-/200400703182?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item2ea8d00ece

While PlazaJapan mentions being about to swap the facade fronts, there is no mention if the building can be used without one of these facades at all.

If I remove the facade, will I find a "traditional" wooden building front?  Or will I find an unfinished hole in the side of the building?

[cteno4]

Jon,

hey totally cool idea! really nice way of presenting japanese trains via the brands and the attributes of each brand clearly! quite cleaver!

keep us posted on your progress.

think about the thin module design as well instead of the horribly oversized boxes of the standard ttrak modules, they are just not japanese in style at all!

cheers

jeff

[bill937ca]

While PlazaJapan mentions being about to swap the facade fronts, there is no mention if the building can be used without one of these facades at all.

If I remove the facade, will I find a "traditional" wooden building front?  Or will I find an unfinished hole in the side of the building?

HS does have better photos for some of these.  I suspect you will have a building without a facade and slots in the base to hold a facade.

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10049307

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10049303

Facade backs:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10049303a3/20/3

HS clearly shows the back end and these appear to have separate residential entrances.  Would that alone work? You'd just have to hide the open front wall with an embankment or a viaduct.

[brill27mcb]

I don't have the complete buildings but bought the four facades to use as "low-profile" backdrop building fronts on my set-ups. They will need black construction paper or something put in the back so they are not totally see-through.

Rich K.