N Scale Architect - 10001 - Interlocking Tower - Railroad Structures

Specific Item Information: The ALTO Tower kit is based on the ALTO interlocking tower that still stands along the Norfolk & Southern mainline in Altoona, Pennsylvania. It was originally built in the 1880s by the Pennsylvania Railroad as part of their sprawling yard complex. Through the Penn Central and Conrail years this tower underwent several "modernization" efforts. We have restored this tower close to its original condition for the purposes of preserving it in kit form. Recent photos for those modelers wishing to represent the modern era will be included with the instructions as well as a painting guide based on the standard Pennsy color scheme. Measures: 3"(L) x 2"(W) x 3"(H).

Road Name History: Railroad structures include but are not limited to stations, depots, yard offices, interlocking towers and tanks. A train station, railway station, railroad station, or depot is a railway facility where trains regularly stop to load or unload passengers or freight.

It generally consists of at least one track-side platform and a station building (depot) providing such ancillary services as ticket sales and waiting rooms. If a station is on a single-track line, it often has a passing loop to facilitate traffic movements. The smallest stations are most often referred to as "stops" or, in some parts of the world, as "halts" (flag stops). Stations may be at ground level, underground, or elevated. Connections may be available to intersecting rail lines or other transport modes such as buses, trams or other rapid transit systems.

From Wikipedia

Brand/Importer Information: The N Scale Architect was founded in 1991 by Russ Kaufman who has been active in model railroading since the early 1970s. Although many model railroaders received a Lionel Train as their first train set, Russ and his brother Bill were bitten by the model railroad bug in the form of an Aurora N-Scale set.

Russ started The N Scale Architect based on the encouragement of fellow modelers who thought that the plans he had drawn up for scratch building over the years might be enjoyed by others in kit form. The first kits featured detailed step-by-step instructions with hand drawn illustrations and plastic templates to be used for cutting the various pieces. This tradition of high quality instructions continues with the addition of "in-process" and color photos and, thanks to better computer aided programs, more detailed drawings. These templates have been replaced with laser-cut micro-plywood pieces along with the addition of many detailing castings which are now also available separately as part of their "Making A Scene" product line.