TownBuilder System - Zscale Monster Trains

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Congress enacted the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and we must now note that these ARE NOT TOYS, AND ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY CHILDREN UNDER AGE OF 14. These products are Model Railroad Equipment and Accessories intended for use by adults.

TownBuilder System

#TBS-01 Plain Jane's Thrift Store Kit

#TBS-01 Plain Jane's Thrift Store

• Assembled size: 1.24"w x 1.8"d x 1.6"h
• Want to see how easy it is to build?
• Download the assembly instructions
• Unassembled Kit

$~~30.00~~ retail ea.

• Introducing the first in a series of Z Scale classic American downtown structures from the TownBuilder System, a collaboration of talent dedicated to bringing you the finest kits possible. Plain Jane's Thrift Store (a.k.a. Top Drawer Athletics) is not based on a specific single prototype building, but is instead representative of timeless architecture unique to Anytown, USA. Featuring authentic styling and exceptional brickwork, this lighted kit is highly detailed yet easy to build, requiring no special tools or skills. Everything you see in the photos is included—right down to the complete window displays!

Check out the copious detailing:

• The wall caps and front window sills have a remarkable cut granite texture; the back wall features scuppers and downspouts, electric meters, and a (non-working) light over the door. Plus, you have your choice of two signs and two sets of window displays. We believe it's the most detailed kit of its kind in Z Scale, all at an affordable price.

• Exploiting the salient qualities of different media, this hybrid kit is comprised of super-detailed first-generation high-pressure resin castings, molded in a rich brick color, plus precision laser-cut windows, doors and other parts. Together these high-quality components produce an outstanding structure suitable for a foreground location on any layout.

#TBS-02 Broad Street Bank Kit

#TBS-02 Broad Street Bank
• Want to see how easy it is to build this kit? Download the assembly instructions.
• Instructions open in a new window (Adobe Acrobat required).
• Assembled size: 1.63"w x 4"d x 1.7"h (41.4 x 102 x 43mm) including drive-throuogh.
~~$35.00~~ retail ea.

• Broad Street Bank (a.k.a. First National Bank) does not have a real-life counterpart, but instead represents a blending of dozens of such small-town banks found all across the country. Featuring some of the most richly-detailed, three-dimensional surface textures you've ever seen in Z Scale, this lighted kit is highly detailed yet easy to build, requiring no special tools or skills.

• This hybrid kit is comprised of super-detailed first-generation high-pressure resin castings, molded in a neutral stone color, plus precision laser-cut windows, doors and other parts. Photos simply do not do the detailing justice; you need to see it in person to appreciate the filigree and other 3-D surface effects. Plus, you have your choice of two signs. We believe it's one of the most character-rich kits of its kind in Z Scale, all at an affordable price.

• Windows are supplied on separate, finely-lasered sheets for easier painting.
The window in the transom over the front door is etched with the street address, and the large ones on the side of the building
are designed simulate double-hung windows. Plus, you have your choice of two signs.

• The drive-through on the back of the building is entirely optional:
matching plugs are provided to fill in the openings for the roof and window in case you don't have the room for it, or if you need to back-date the building to an earlier era. The detailed island comes complete with teller machine.

• Don't need or want a bank for your town? This same building would make a perfect post office or town hall
all you need to do is give it a new sign!

#TBS-03 Jay Kay Appliances Kit

#TBS-03 Jay Kay Appliances
• Want to see how easy it is to build this kit? Download the assembly instructions.
• Instructions open in a new window (Adobe Acrobat required).
• Assembled size: 2.5"w x 4"d x 1.95"h (63.5 x 104 x 49.5mm) w/ Back Extension.
~~$49.00~~ retail ea.

• The biggest, most detailed kit yet! Jay Kay Appliances (a.k.a. Svenson Jewelers) was inspired by a furniture store in Hillsdale, Michigan, and is reasonably faithful to its design. Built in 1885, this structure might have originally been a firehouse or any number of things; regardless, it retains classic detailing from the era.

• This hybrid kit is comprised of super-detailed first-generation high-pressure resin castings, molded in three colors! In the photo above, the only thing that was painted is the display case fascia; everything else is just as it comes in the kit, which contains over 50 parts. In addition to precision laser-cut windows and doors, there are details galore, including one dozen appliances—televisions, refrigerators, ranges, washers and dryers (jewelry display stands are included if one models Svenson Jewelers). Windows are supplied on separate, finely-lasered sheets for easier painting.

• The fully-detailed display cases are topped with a lighting module that includes two pre-wired LEDs. Additionally, an optional extension on the back is provided. If you don't need or want it, the wall behind is fully detailed, so you can save the extension for another kit; in fact, it's a perfect add-on to Plain Jane's Thrift Store.

• Jay Kay Appliances features the finest brickwork we've ever done, not to mention our first venture into accurate siding and shingles. The richly intricate surface texture of the building is ideally suited for detail painting. Naturally it can be repurposed to become anything one might want—even a firehouse.

• In spite of the size and complexity of the kit, it's still relatively easy to build. It should provide two or three evenings of enjoyable work.

#TBS-04 Little Joe's Pizza Kit

#TBS-04 Little Joe's Pizza
• Also includes an alternate sign to make it a Chinese restaurant ("The Happy Wok").
• Want to see how easy it is to build this kit? Download the assembly instructions.
• Instructions open in a new window (Adobe Acrobat required).
• Assembled size: 1.12"w x 3.25"d x 2.12"h (28.5 x 82.6 x 54mm).
~~$35.00~~ retail ea.

• Every town has (at least) one: a pizza parlor! Little Joe's is a blending of several buildings with a common theme of squeezing as much as possible into a tight space. Though the building is small, there is no shortage of details. The recessed entrance has a tiled floor, the brickwork is detailed and authentic, and the cornice is simple yet intricate. On the back wall you'll find a pair of kitchen exhaust fans in addition to gas and electric meters.

• Like all of our TBS kits, Little Joe's combines super-detailed first-generation high-pressure resin castings with precision laser-cut windows and doors. And, just like all our other kits, this one offers you choices. The lighted sign is optional; a plug is provided to fill the sign hole with solid brick in case you'd prefer a different look, or if you'd like to use two kits on the same layout but don't want "clones." Plus, there's an alternate sign to make it a Chinese restaurant ("The Happy Wok") instead.

• Although it's a simple little building, the side walls make this kit unique. The primary inspiration for Little Joe's is an abandoned structure in Pittsburgh which, at one time, was sandwiched between two others; now, it stands alone between two parking lots, with the evidence of its former neighbors clearly etched into the walls. Although quite common in real life, "ghost buildings" are rarely modeled, and even more rarely are they featured in a kit.

• Little Joe's faithfully reproduces the unique telltale marks of a building's history, making it extraordinarily easy for you to create the effect. If one or both walls are exposed, the subtle yet realistic markings molded right into the brickwork will pop out with some simple painting techniques. Instructions are provided to help you color them in an authentic manner. As a bonus, a decal is provided to make a "ghost sign" (taken from a photograph of a real ghost sign on the building that inspired this kit).

• In spite of appearances, this kit is easy to build, requiring no special tools or skills.

#TBS-05 Winfield's Five and Dime Kit

#TBS-05 Winfield's Five and Dime
• Also includes an alternate sign to make a drug store ("Drug Pharm.").
• Want to see how easy it is to build this kit? Download the assembly instructions.
• Instructions open in a new window (Adobe Acrobat required).
• Assembled size: 2.9"w x 2.9"d x 1.25"h (73.6 x 73.6 x 31.75mm).
~~$40.00~~ retail ea.

• The first variety store was opened on 21 June 1879 by Frank Winfield Woolworth in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; at its peak, the industry had over sixteen chains. Many people have fond memories of their hometown five and dime, and we've made an attempt to capture the feel of a classic small-town chain store from the forties, the architecture of which could be characterized as fairly utilitarian with a patina of art deco.

• Our first "non-brick" building features super-detailed first-generation high-pressure resin castings molded in three colors, coupled with precision laser-cut windows and doors. As per usual, this lighted kit has an alter ego: a drug store, "Drug Pharm." Plus, the side and back concrete block walls can be assembled four different ways so that the freight door is located where it's best suited for your layout.

• As you've come to expect from TBS, there's no shortage of details; the highlights of this kit are the rooftop air conditioning unit and the window displays. Kitbashers should have a field day with the structure—it could become any number of things, including a convenience store, a supermarket, or even a YMCA, to name just a few.

• The kit is easy to build, requiring no special tools or skills.

#TBS-06 East End Townhouses Kit

#TBS-06 East End Townhouses
• A very special kit featuring two complete, separate townhouses.
• Want to see how easy it is to build this kit? Download the assembly instructions
• (coming soon).
• Assembled size (side by side): 1.9"w x 3.7"d x 1.85"h (48 x 95 x 47mm).
~~$55.00~~ retail ea.

• A town isn't just a place where people work and shop and dine; it's also a place where people live, and there's no more classic urban residence than the townhouse. Larger towns will have miles upon miles of these dwellings, and while they may all start out looking the same, over the years each one will acquire its own unique character. TBS presents a very special kit featuring two complete, separate townhouses. They can be placed side-by-side, or they can be mixed with other structures.

• The illuminated East End Townhouses have more detail and character than many buildings three times their size. One of the mirrored facades is brick, while the other is classic brownstone. On the back of one is an extension having a deck on the roof; the other has three short decks. Best of all, you get to decide which townhouse gets what details—if any; they're entirely optional. All of the components can be mixed and matched as you desire to create almost a dozen variations!

• The brick and stonework is the finest we've made yet, with incredible detailing that includes intricate cornices, lighting fixtures, even a fan window over one entrance; the see-through decks have complete framing. The high-pressure resin castings are done in three colors, and the laser-cut parts are super-fine. We've even included a table and chairs, potted plants and window boxes for your Z scale residents!

• The kit is easy to build, requiring no special tools or skills—
All you need are patience and imagination to bring these gems to life.

TownBuilder System is a collaboration of two very talented manufacturers, of some of our finest kits: • NZT Products

• StoneBridge Designs

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