James River Branch: Pharmacy

Pharmacy

This building may change is purpose before the show is over. It was originally intended to house Jim's Trains/Don & Stan's Barber Shop, but owing to changes in the town's arrangement, these business got moved to the building originally meant to be Emma's Cafe, and Emma's was temporarily located in a former row home until finally being located in the Gilmor Hotel.

Confused yet? Don't worry; it's not important. Nor is what the building is currently slated to be: a pharmacy. I chose this as a generic business for a building that essentially now has an uncommitted purpose. It could be most anything, and not matter much since the front of the building faces the back of the layout. I actually chose a pharmacy mostly because it might have a large-ish illuminated sign that could potentially be seen over the rooftops; we'll see.

Without meaning to disparage Shire Scenes, their kit has a few minor issues. First, the brass is rather thin (.007 instead of the usual .010), making it more of a challenge to assemble, and possibly requiring internal bracing to keep the walls true. Also, there's no tab with which to join the main wall parts at the corner; there's only a slim etched detent, posing an alignment challenge that leaves no room for error. Finally, the surface etching is a bit shallow, making some of the textures hard to perceive—including some of the finest brickwork I've seen.

To their credit, the kit is loaded with extra details, including a choice of different signs and trim parts, as well as full interior window displays and a canopy. Alas, for my purposes, none of these will be used. But because the arch-topped side and back entrances are so interesting-looking, I've done my best to orient the building such that one or both can be seen.

This project was last updated on 26 September 2008. More as it happens.

This Shire Scenes kit provides a nice contrast to the Miller Engineering kits.

The thin brass stock will require internal bracing to keep the walls true.