@Rjm posted:I received my Menard's Cripple Creek Engine Works and after I finally got it unpacked (it was fairly well packed) The first thing I noticed was the absence of engine house doors, a problem which I can rectify with basswood and miniature brass hinges from a doll house company, this will enhance its appearance greatly since the lighting inside is pretty bright. I am considering taking a yellow paint pen and coloring the lights a bit to help tone down the brightness even though I like it, it's not very realistic, at least not for an older structure as this is supposed to be. It's like old historical structure meets modern, well-lit gas station. Overall I really like the model but one thing sticks out almost jokingly and that would be the red flashing lights on the roof. What the...? Hey China, it's not a skyscraper! It's a humble, one story building. I am going to tone them down with a paint pen as well since they are so bright and, well, ridiculous. Maybe I can think of a better use of the wiring since it's there. Over all, on a scale of 1 - 10 (10 being best) I'd give this model an 8 - 8.5. Hinged doors and losing the flashing lights would have gotten it a 10. I still recommend it for it's scale appearance and a lot of the detail it does have.
-Ralph Miller
Ralph, thanks for your thoughts. You stated the lighting inside is pretty bright. Just so happens I was at Menards today and they had one lit up on the display shelf. It caught my eye so I was looking it over. I was dissapointed to see there were no lights on the inside. So now I am wondering was the display defective? Can you verify the lighting inside of this building. Thanks
