The basis model for this structure was the Faller kit "Hotel Stadt Prag" No. 293052 Now, certainly some "nitpickers" or "rivet counters" will turn up their nose.....doens't Faller offer this model for TT gauge.......a TT-model for a HO scale layout?

Why not? This is a kit which was allready offered as a HO scale model years ago. Like many old kits, also this model was released in a special scale (1:100) which lies between HO and TT scale. So, this house is even suitable for both gauges!

During the last years, many producers turned to release new kits in correct HO scale of 1:87. That means, however, especially for HO gauge, that the new models turn out very large. As a consequence you need more room for a single house than during the the 1:100 days, so less houses can be placed on the layout. So, I admit that I was very lucky about such revivals of old kits - Faller is offering them either in a special "Hobby-Programe" or for TT gauge (which shouldn't prevent HO railroaders to buy these kits!). After all, also Auhagen is offering many of its models in such a 1:100 scale, so that they are suitable for both HO and TT scale! In my opinion, a complete village or town consisting of 1:100 houses, looks far better on a layout, as a few 1:87 scale models can do, which only show a small part of a town. A good overall impression is much more important than exact scale models!

Assembling the parts for the ground floor and first floor, I deviated from the original instructions. Both side walls were shortened - about the half lentgh. At the back wall I added some more windows - originally there was a small slope on this site of the houses.

I have enlarged the openeings which were originally supposed for small basement windows (they were cut out and carefully smoothed afterwards with a fine file). A door was also installed - like the window frames it was a remainder from another kit. I didn't use any more transparant foil - often there are problems with this material, you can't stick it very well - a good alternative is using transparant polysterol, which is often also used for packings - you can cut it, and it's the same material as the one of the kit parts! For the first floor I used the window frames from the kit. On the front site there was oringally a lettering "Hotel", which I have removed.

The side extension for the staircase was created using Kibri wall sheets, the window frames were remainders from other kits. After the parts had been assembled, they were painted with diluted white Plaka colour.

The concrete girders which originally should be the base structure for the upper section with the third and fourth floor, were used for the terrace on the back side of the house. For that, their lenght and height were adjusted. The terrace's floor is a piece of plastic taken from the "rests' box", also the railing. For the stairs up to the terrace I used the parts from the kit, but in some way they had to be adjusted.

On the front side the building also recieved some lettering - "CAFE-TERRASSEN". Of course, I also bought a second kit which was assembled following the instructions. Picture 3 shows both models - the original Faller model and the rebuilt model - so it shows the changes which were done.

After all, anonether interesting model!