ALADDIN GENERAL STORE
I first discovered the Aladdin General Store when Doug Jolley, a talented Sn3 modeler, posted photos of his scratchbuilt model for members of the Yahoo!! Sn3 Discussion Group to enjoy. The building’s character captivated me. Doug was very generous in providing additional photos of both his model and the prototype, as well as line drawings for the structure. The kit was developed from this information as well as what little else I could gather, which was scant. THANK YOU, Doug, for your generosity!!
The Aladdin General Store is the largest of about 15 structures that make up the town of Aladdin, located in the northeast corner of Wyoming. The structure was originally built as the Wyoming Mercantile by Amos Robinson in 1896. In addition to being a store, it has served as a Post Office, barber shop, bar, telephone office, and gasoline station. Particularly interesting is that it also served as depot and freight station for the Wyoming and Missouri Valley Railroad, an 18-mile shortline that hauled coal and mining supplies. As it happens, the railroad was owned by the Wyoming Mercantile and operated until 1927. The structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and remains the center of activity for the small community.
If the building looks somewhat familiar, don’t be surprised. Many structures of similar architecture and style were built during the same period in every part of the country. An interesting observation is that many of these, if not all, sported various additions such as the Aladdin’s. To lend even more character to the structure, the roofing materials varied with the time they were added, and, more than likely, the financial situation of the owner. The main structure, porch, and one rear addition use shake shingles, while the two side additions have corrugated metal. The rear stairway uses rolled roofing (a heavy, mineral coated tar paper) to cover both the walls and roof.
The two outhouses shown above are included in the kit (complete with toilet paper), as well as the bench on the front porch. Six black-and-white decals help patrons locate the store, gas station or bar, and Post Office. Eleven period advertising posters (also decals) add realism (one's a hanging sign!).
As with all our kits, the door knobs and lock plates are in the box, along with a well detailed, 32-page, spiral bound instruction manual containing 55 photos of the assembly. The roof and 2nd floor are removable after assembly for adding interior details. The footprint of the completed structure is 10-inches wide x 10.5-inches deep (25 cm x 27 cm).
Roof removed, 2nd floor exposed
Roof and 2nd floor removed, 1st floor
exposed
The photos show the
model as built using the special detail set provided by Pat Turner of
Turner Model Works. The set includes 32 various
castings: the gas pump, oil barrels, crates, light shades,
chairs, cans,
buckets, ladder, and many more. This optional set can be ordered
from us or from Pat at Turner Model Works (www.turnermodelworks.com),
part number AGS-SD, and sells for $30.00.
($155)
Purchase Aladdin General Store - S Scale
Click the text below to purchase the Aladdin General Store Special Detail Castings Set
($30)
Purchase AGS Detail Casting Set
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For more
information on the prototype, you might want to start by visiting http://wyoshpo.state.wy.us/wyomerc.htm