Always better to go smaller than bigger. You can use a small depot on a big layout, but not often the other way around (which would be the more likely scenario)
I got to see the pilot model for this at the NMRA show in Portland last weekend and was quite impressed:
If it weren't for the following, I'd have one already:
- I already built the depots I needed for my layout (2 kits and one scratchbuilt, my website has photos if you're curious)
- I'd have to find a way to re-paint it with my RR's colors that they painted everything in
- These pre-built structures are hard to personalize to your layout
Could we assume they'll make a kit version of this like they have the other structure in that line? If so, I'd bet that it would be a popular kit. I haven't seen too many small town depot kits like this in O scale before this one.
Now, the detractors have said that this structure is very toy-like and looks like a depot at an amusement park. I can sort of get their point there, especially the second point. The semaphore isn't really what I'd have on one of these (maybe a train order board would have been better) but it's still a great looking building. as for it looking like it should be at Disneyland, yeah, I can't argue that point. It does have that look. If you layout takes place in the 40s or earlier, it'll be fine. Anytime after WW2, it'd look too cartoonish and probably should be modeled as a boarded-up structure instead for a modern era layout.
