Well, I have come to really appreciate POLA buildings. I like the detail of exposed brick, stones, and more artistic expression, compared to some of the PIKO line. And at least in the US, as a buyer that has many sources, via the net, they seem to be more scarce and expensive in the past years. I often see that items are sold out at the Faller site.
I tend to think that these accessories may be as sought after as any "collectible" LGB, as they give our trains context.
For my Christmas present to me, I purchased the housewares kit. A large two story structure; an amalgam of the first floor of the old Smithy offered by POLA years back , and, the top story from the newer two story residence kits.
As always the kit is robust, fits beautifully with a bit of attention to trimming sprues and mold flash. The instructions are pictorial, and I found a couple of mis-printed numbers for some parts in the printed diagrams, causing me to search long and hard before I was comfortable with making an assumption as to what I ought to use.
This kit is one of an increasing trend I see with POLA, in that it has more detail parts, and interior decorations. Some here may recall my two story flower shop, built this summer which has a rather nicely detailed retail display "box" window displaying "flower shop wares". That particular kit had 'details' which were .......convenient to the manufacturer (ie 'repurposed' from other kits) and not specifically suited to flower shop application/decoration imho, ie window frames, crates, barrows, all made to do.
The houseware store (Hofladen) has much nicer and appropriate specialty details, including large pails of honey, jars, scales, bread , crates, prepainted veggies and fruits, rather unrealistic and oddly colored bottles, and other items. These details are really quite nice, not only in terms of cost saving (doll house details, which I frequently use add up quickly) and, painting time. They are not unique to this kit, but, at least seem......plausible.
POLA used to have crystal clear window material, but now has a bit more hazy material, good in general no interior building imho, but a shame given the nice details in this kit. One can only view them via side windows or through the garage style doors (or if the roof is not glued down). As I have lighted this building with 4 large lamps, the details are somewhat apparent when lighted, but not easily made put due to this less than clear window glazing material.
Overall, the building is ...large, robust, and heavy. Because of its configuration and details, it would seem to suit either a village or single roadside structure. This new kit is quite a bit taller than, say, the old onion domed church by POLA. Like many things in the world, things are getting bigger for POLA.
Now for the obligatory eyewash....!!!! sorry for my messy bench.
with the many crates, and interior bits, as well as pallates, and scales (not shown) this kit took more than a few hours to finish. As you can see, its not been weathered or super detailed as of yet.
Price......best I could find, $221 US, delivered.
I have to say, I usually take liberties, but i built and decorated this kit per the diagrams, with the exception of the flower boxes on the porch. It was a very convenient and nice kit that produces a reasonably interesting and detailed stock finished model.
I tend to think that these accessories may be as sought after as any "collectible" LGB, as they give our trains context.
For my Christmas present to me, I purchased the housewares kit. A large two story structure; an amalgam of the first floor of the old Smithy offered by POLA years back , and, the top story from the newer two story residence kits.
As always the kit is robust, fits beautifully with a bit of attention to trimming sprues and mold flash. The instructions are pictorial, and I found a couple of mis-printed numbers for some parts in the printed diagrams, causing me to search long and hard before I was comfortable with making an assumption as to what I ought to use.
This kit is one of an increasing trend I see with POLA, in that it has more detail parts, and interior decorations. Some here may recall my two story flower shop, built this summer which has a rather nicely detailed retail display "box" window displaying "flower shop wares". That particular kit had 'details' which were .......convenient to the manufacturer (ie 'repurposed' from other kits) and not specifically suited to flower shop application/decoration imho, ie window frames, crates, barrows, all made to do.
The houseware store (Hofladen) has much nicer and appropriate specialty details, including large pails of honey, jars, scales, bread , crates, prepainted veggies and fruits, rather unrealistic and oddly colored bottles, and other items. These details are really quite nice, not only in terms of cost saving (doll house details, which I frequently use add up quickly) and, painting time. They are not unique to this kit, but, at least seem......plausible.
POLA used to have crystal clear window material, but now has a bit more hazy material, good in general no interior building imho, but a shame given the nice details in this kit. One can only view them via side windows or through the garage style doors (or if the roof is not glued down). As I have lighted this building with 4 large lamps, the details are somewhat apparent when lighted, but not easily made put due to this less than clear window glazing material.
Overall, the building is ...large, robust, and heavy. Because of its configuration and details, it would seem to suit either a village or single roadside structure. This new kit is quite a bit taller than, say, the old onion domed church by POLA. Like many things in the world, things are getting bigger for POLA.
Now for the obligatory eyewash....!!!! sorry for my messy bench.
with the many crates, and interior bits, as well as pallates, and scales (not shown) this kit took more than a few hours to finish. As you can see, its not been weathered or super detailed as of yet.
Price......best I could find, $221 US, delivered.
I have to say, I usually take liberties, but i built and decorated this kit per the diagrams, with the exception of the flower boxes on the porch. It was a very convenient and nice kit that produces a reasonably interesting and detailed stock finished model.
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