Sidewalks

[chadmichaels]

For those of you who have purchased and used sidewalks on your layouts, who makes the most realistic ones? Walther's, Small Town USA, Bar Mills or some other brand. Also attach pics of them if you could.

Chad

[waltr]

Check Downtown Deco.
http://www.downtowndeco.biz/site/

[Railrunner130]

I recently purchased two sidewalk kits. I think the right sidewalk depends on what you're using it for.

The first is by Bar Mills. It's laser-cut wood, which doesn't seem to be the right material for concrete. I'm planning on using it on my Fallberg Station diorama, so I'll see if the material matters. It's a standard, straight sidewalk with cracks in it that appears to be fairly universal in terms of shaping.

I forget who the manufacturer is on the second. I want to say Cornerstone, but don't quote me on that. It's made of plastic with curves, curbs and manhole covers. I think the plastic will be fine for sidewalks. This would be great for use in cities. It's not as versitile when it comes to how you can lay it out.

[Jim 68cuda]

Heres the Walthers Cornerstone sidewalks (in front of the houses in the photos) along with the Smalltown USA sidewalks (on the hotel side of the street in the first two pics). In this case the streets are Illustration Board. The Cornerstone sidewalks and curbs fit nicely up against the edge of the illustration board as the curbs have a bit of a lip. The Smalltown USA sidewalks sit flush on top of the illustration board. I painted the sidewalks Camouflage Gray by Model Master.





Here (below), the Walthers Cornerstone sidewalks are used as intended along with their Street Street system. (please ignore the dust)
I have not yet added the manhole covers, weathering or storm drains to these sidewalks and curbs.







I also have some of the Bar-Mill sidewalks, but haven't tried them yet.
The Downtown Deco sidewalks, I'm sure, have the most detail, if you want sidewalks that look well worn.
A big part of you decision will depend on how you're using the sidewalks and how well they will work with the surrounding scenery and especially the streets they border.

[CSX_road_slug]

I used Cornerstone concrete sidewalks on a downtown scene on my old layout. They had fire hydrants, manhole covers and other details. I was pretty pleased with how they turned out.

[Jim 68cuda]

Originally Posted by CSX_road_slug

I used Cornerstone concrete sidewalks on a downtown scene on my old layout. They had fire hydrants, manhole covers and other details. I was pretty pleased with how they turned out.

Oh yeah. Looks much better than mine. What did you use for painting the concrete color?

[chadmichaels]

Is there just the sidewalk kits from Cornerstone or do I have to get the street system?

Chad

[Davidfd85]

I just made my own with WS Smooth it and street tape then cracked and weathered it the way I needed, I'm at work and can't post a pic sorry.

[Steve S]

Originally Posted by CSX_road_slug

I used Cornerstone concrete sidewalks on a downtown scene on my old layout. They had fire hydrants, manhole covers and other details. I was pretty pleased with how they turned out.

Nice coloring, Ken. I like that the concrete is more tan than gray. I think it's a big mistake when modelers paint their concrete gray. Fresh concrete usually starts out almost white and then weathers to tan.

Steve S

[gregamer]

I like Fine N-Scale Easy Streets. They have cool details like driveways and storm drains. And they are easily shaped when by soaking them in boiling water for a several seconds.

Easy Streets sidewalk on my oNeTrak "O'Brien" module.

But in general, I use mostly styrene. I also like to use Evergreen Styrene sheet sidewalk or tile.

Evergreen Styrene sidewalk on my Free-moN "Alaskan Steamship Co." module.

More Styrene sidewalks on my "Alaskan Steamship Co." Free-moN module.

I also think it's realistic to vary the sidewalks, so that they do not look uniform. Sidewalks in front of commercial establishments should be wider to accomodate more foot traffic. Some sidewalks should be newer and others older. I use different size squares