Fired Up Over Model Tech Studios

[NEMMRRC]

Over at the The Crafstman's Workshop Tom (ACL1504) has a build thread about Model Tech Studios' Old Mill. That thread got me all fired up about the time I visited MTS' booth at the 2006 National Train Show following the NMRA convention in Philadelphia.

So, I thought I'd share some photos of the MTS stuff I found interesting.

Without a doubt the fellow does good work. Here is a wharf diorama that was impressive. Please forgive the reflections off the diorama's cover.


Here is an overview of many of MTS' kits:


An O scale boat and bait shack:


Smith Bros. Fish and Roscos Engine Repair:


Close-up (out of focus) of roof detail. The roof is one casting:

The siding on the structure in the background looks good!

Close-up of Smith Bros. Fish:

I cannot recall if these were HO or O scale. But they look good. The doors seem a bit thick to me.

Close-up of Roscos Engine Repair:


HO scale Roscos Engine Repair and Herminson Mill in the background:

The mill in the background is the one the Tom is building.

The display above was on a separate table so that means the first pictures of Roscos are O scale.

HO scale Crows Nest Cafe (not totally in focus):



Smith Bros. Fish in HO scale:

Notice the 3D flats in the background.

Close-up of the boat in front of Smith Bros. Fish:


A closer look of the Smith Bros. Fish roof. I believe it was also a single casting:


I tried to get a decent photo of some of the castings that were for sale at MTS' booth. I don't know if this was HO or O scale. One this is certain, it is out of focus:


Anyway, that is what I found thus far. I'll dig around some more. Meanwhile, go read Tom's build thread.

Jaime

[LongHornCaddy]

Great post Jaime! Fantastic work!



Cruisin,

Long Horn Caddy

[ACL1504]

Jaime,

Nice photos and it shows MTS in a different light! I see his 3D background building appears to be different colors than on the kit photo. I like the subdued or darkened look of the building. It is massive.

Thanks for sharing.
Tom

[ndwolf68]

Wow! I just happened to stumble on this one... nice pixes, Jaime! That's some great stuff! Why isn't this guy comin' to CSS??? Too bad his instructions aren't the best (or so I seem to recall from Tom's build thread - maybe I'm mistaken). I seem to recall that Smith Bros. Fish - maybe Bob Mitchell had it in one of his clinics??

Norm

[NEMMRRC]

Wow! I just happened to stumble on this one... nice pixes, Jaime! That's some great stuff! Why isn't this guy comin' to CSS??? Too bad his instructions aren't the best (or so I seem to recall from Tom's build thread - maybe I'm mistaken). I seem to recall that Smith Bros. Fish - maybe Bob Mitchell had it in one of his clinics??

Norm

Bob has brought Smiths Bros to CSS.

Jaime

[rebel]

I have a few of there items, the boat is great with very few easily fixed bubble holes but some of their pileing walls took a lot of work.

[jlgrove]

I am a big fan or Model-Tech Studios products. I find them to be interesting designs and relatively simple to assemble. James is always available for advice and suggestions. Here are a few pics of some of my completed MTS structures on my layout. I also believe their waterfront products to be one of the best values in the business!! My 2 cents worth!!! Jeff

[jlgrove]

A few mores pics, I am working on a rather extensive dock/wharf scene that it mostly all MTS stuff, including boats.....

[jerrman]

I've built a number of O scale MTS structures and boats. The designs are original which has been what has attracted me to them. Plus in O scale, MTS has some things generally not available otherwise. The instructions are often where the problems occur. MTS tends to rely heavily on diagrams and pictures, not necessarily detailed sequential descriptions. So, if you're good at reading plans, you may not have too much trouble with them, but if you like to "follow along" step by step, with suggestions/options along the way, many of the MTS kits may not be for you. Without the sequential steps, you may end up completing the later steps earlier than you should and this could cause problems later on. So, look at those diagrams and pictures carefully and think through how things might go together before rushing in. They would certainly be somewhat difficult for beginners. Castings are ok, not the best, not the worst. The only other issue I've had is occasional missing pieces. When that has happened with BarMills, etc., there was virtually no discussion. The missing parts were immediately replaced by the manufacturer, no questions asked. Not quite so with MTS in my experience and to avoid the hassle, I've sometimes relied on the scrap box for replacements. MTS also makes a large number of unfinished and finished detail castings, many of original designs not available anywhere else for which O scalers is a very good resource.

Jerrman

[rebel]

Yes, some manufactures do not trust anyone. The best for customer service is Woodland Scenics. Mt Albert is great too, I tend to give them a plug whenever I can because they sent me some sheet goods once when I was starting a company, company idea died because by the time I had my ducks in a row, design, packaging, sourcing, someone had already announced something similar.