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Atlas model out of scale?

aroc
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Not really what I would have purchased for myself but this past Christmas I rec'd an Atlas Suburban Passenger Station Kit #2841.  It's been sitting on my workbench since.  I'm on vacation this week so I've had an opportunity to work a bit more laying track etc.  I decided to get started putting the kit together and so far I'm not real happy with it.  I know I can detail it to make it not look quite so toy like but what I am concerned with is the scale.  It looks a little to large.  If I place a adult figure next to it the figure looks like a child.  The door knob to one of the doors hits the figure at about the chest instead of around the waist where you would think it should be.

Has this been a problem with other Atlas models?  Is this fairly normal?  How might I be able to hide this outside of placing any figures I do have away from it so the scale is hidden?

Thanks

Eric

Deer Lodge, MT


‹ Soldering stainless steel Scratch Build ?, Kits ?, Built-ups & Ready to Run ›
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Submitted by aroc on Thu, 04/03/2008 - 11:24.

Jimmi
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aroc, take a scale rule and

aroc, take a scale rule and measure the doors.  They should be about 7 ft. tall.  From the pictures I've seen of that station the doors look awfully big.

I have a Faller store front building that must have at least 12 ft. high doors!


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Thu, 04/03/2008 - 23:37

Bryan
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Could it be that it is
Could it be that it is 1:148, not 1:160? (UK v US)
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Fri, 04/04/2008 - 07:19

aroc
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Not sure...Maybe

Bryan wrote:
Could it be that it is 1:148, not 1:160? (UK v US)

I suppose it's possible.  The packaging doesn't say as such; only that it's N scale.  I guess that was part of my question.  Does Atlas do this sort of thing with their models?  I will have to get a scale ruler just for kicks.  

All in all it's not a big deal.  Ultimately when I am done with it and I don't like it I will just put it on the shelf and use something else for the passenger station.

Eric

Deer Lodge, MT


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You are what you think.

Fri, 04/04/2008 - 10:28

BryanC
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I have that same kit but I

I have that same kit but I never put it together. I may later but right now it is sitting in a closet!

Anyway, I dug it out and measured the doors. They measure exactly 5/8 inch high. Now, if my math is correct that is a scale 100 inches at 1:160! Surprised If you try 1:148 it comes out a scale 92.5 inches.

Either way, it is obviously too large. The kit was made in China (surprise).


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Fri, 04/04/2008 - 10:49

BryanC
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After making the above post
After making the above post I decided to go back and measure the doors on some other structures. A couple of laser kits, a Cornerstone Plastic kit and couple of Cornerstone builtups. Guess what? All (with a single exception) were 5/8 inch! (The exception was 4/8 inch which is much closer).
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Cheers!

Bryan C
Alligator Lines "The Eclectic Line of the South"

http://ALines.home.att.net



Fri, 04/04/2008 - 11:00

aroc
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So what are you

So what are you saying...They are all screwed up?? Surprised You mean all this time we have been using 1/148 and never Knew it?Smile

Guess I'll just put the figures away from the doors.

Eric

Deer Lodge, MT


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Fri, 04/04/2008 - 11:53

absnut
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Maywood Station

I, too, have this station and, I too, have long thought it looks a little "large" for N scale.  But, Atlas being known of recent for their accuracy, I haven't given the matter a whole lot of thought until this thread appeared.  I went to the Maywood Station site and tried to find measurements to prove or disprove the accuracy of the model but, all I could find were some interesting photos and reading.  However, just looking at this photo and seeing the size relationship between the people and the station,  I am inclined to think Atlas' model is quite accurate, door handle height nowithstanding!

http://www.maywoodstation.com/MaywoodStation062803W.jpg


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Fri, 04/04/2008 - 12:05

ranulf
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How about building a custom
How about building a custom scale door for the model? Perhaps those old style narrow french doors with a glass transom over the top? 
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Fri, 04/04/2008 - 14:09

Dallas_Morlan
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Maywood Station

I think absnut has it spotted. The image below is linked from the Maywood site he mentioned. Look at the size of the transom window above the door and the height of the window sill.

Link to Maywood site

 



Fri, 04/04/2008 - 17:09

69Z28
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Is that the doorknob. a

Is that the doorknob. a little below and to the right of  the shoulder of the guy with the Santa hat ?  Back in those days I believe most doorknobs were higher than they are today.  The door itself looks to be about 8' high and the transom another 2' high.  So the Atlas model may be just right.

See ya

Ron


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Sat, 04/05/2008 - 00:31

Jimmi
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Wow, looks like they built
Wow, looks like they built the prototype out of proportion!
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The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that, you've got it made.    Jean Giraudoux

Jim



Sat, 04/05/2008 - 00:36

PhilNSF
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Incorrect Prototype
Exactly right, Jimmi.  It's the prototype that's wrong.  Laughing
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San Francisco



Sat, 04/05/2008 - 11:46

Opie
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I too, have the Atlas
I too, have the Atlas Passenger Station and have yet to put it together. The windows are so tiny that I have yet to figure where I could put the glue. I have debated on leaving them off as the frame are so small I don't think anyone would notice.
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Sat, 04/05/2008 - 14:58

aroc
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Thicker CA

Opie wrote:
I too, have the Atlas Passenger Station and have yet to put it together. The windows are so tiny that I have yet to figure where I could put the glue. I have debated on leaving them off as the frame are so small I don't think anyone would notice.
 

If you use a little thicker CA glue and use a tooth pick to apply it you won't have as much "spread" as you might with thinner glue that will move around a bit when you match the window and the frames.  You are right though it is hard to see there are any windows with the small frames.


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You are what you think.

Sat, 04/05/2008 - 15:40

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