Affordable city buildings?

[homersimpsonlikestrains]

I am planning on building a 3x6ft oval HO layout for short switching locomotives to run on and where can I find affordable city buildings like the ones on this website?

https://www.gatewaynmra.org/2003/gateway-central-4x6-foot-small-ho-scale-model-railroad-layout/

 

[Jim 68cuda]

Several of the structures shown aren't all that expensive. Many are in the Walthers Cornerstone series or from Life-like. But, of course the larger and the more detailed, the higher the price.


Some are still available:

Belvedere Downtown Hotel -- Kit - 5-1/2 x 2-1/2" 14 x 6.4cm

No additional information is available at this time.

www.walthers.com

Merchant's Row II -- Kit - 10 x 5" 25.4 x 12.7cm

The easy-to-build Walthers Cornerstone HO Scale Merchant's Row II kit brings together three different stores in one structure. Often just a few blocks away from the railroad tracks, the business district is one of the most important parts of any small town or big city. This unique kit combines...

www.walthers.com

Railway Express Agency (REA) Transfer Building -- Kit - 13-1/8 x 6-1/8 x 6-3/8" 32.8 x 15.5 x 15.9cm

Back in the day the Railway Express Agency (REA) was how America shipped packages. The Walthers Cornerstone HO Scale REA Transfer Building is based on a typical rail-to-truck transfer facility. For many Americans, first came the big decision of what to buy from the mail-order catalog. Then...

www.walthers.com

George Roberts Printing Company -- Kit - 12-3/4 x 7-1/2 x 9" 31.6 x 19.3 x 22.9cm

The Walthers Cornerstone George Roberts Printing Company kit is typical of concrete curtain-wall industrial buildings found in commercial and manufacturing districts in cities across the continent. Geo. Roberts Printing fits on any layout from the 1920s to the present. Large windows, a hallmark...

www.walthers.com

But several of the buildings have been discontinued.



Here are some alternate possibilities by City Classics, Smalltown USA, Walthers Cornerstone series, and DPM (Design Preservation Models):

Smallman Street Warehouse -- Kit - 8-1/2 x 6 x 6" 21.6 x 15.2 x 15.2cm

Ideal for just about any era being modeled. Add extra stories with Two-Story Add-On Kit (#195-104, sold separately).

www.walthers.com

Grant Street Iron-Front Building -- Kit - 5-1/4 x 3-1/2 x 9" 13.4 x 8.9 x 22.9cm

Accurately captures the look of an ornate cast iron facade that was common during the late 1800s.

www.walthers.com

Talltown Buildings -- Rusty's Graphic Arts 7-7/8 x 4-13/16" 20 x 12.2cm

Perfect for revitalizing any downtown, Scotty modernized the storefront by adding larger windows and a four-door entry. The kit includes Tall Town modules for the brick walls, windows and doors, plus Evergreen stock to build-up the framing for the new windows.

www.walthers.com

Vicky's - Kit -- Kit - 51 x 35 Scale Feet

You'll find the latest styles in this big five-story store. A prime location for a department store commercial venture.

www.walthers.com

M. T. Arms Hotel - Woodland Scenics DPM Landmark Structures(R) -- Kit - 7-3/4 x 2-3/4" 20 x 7cm

Plastic kit includes authentically detailed walls plus roof, clear window material and complete instructions. Architectural details are molded in place for easy assembly in minutes.

www.walthers.com

Modular Building System(TM) Designer Bulk Pack -- Victorian Style Storefront Building - Kit

Designer Bulk Packs each feature one of the five different architectural styles represented in the modular system. Each pack contains plans for three specific buildings and all plastic modular parts needed to finish any one of the three. Styrene roof material, clear window material, complete...

www.walthers.com

Modular Building System(TM) Designer Bulk Pack -- Arched Window Industrial Building - Kit

Designer Bulk Packs each feature one of the five different architectural styles represented in the modular system. Each pack contains plans for three specific buildings and all plastic modular parts needed to finish any one of the three. Styrene roof material, clear window material, complete...

www.walthers.com

Ashmore Hotel -- Kit - 8-5/8 x 4-7/16 x 13-7/8" 21.9 x 11.2 x 35.3cm

The Walthers Cornerstone HO Scale Ashmore Hotel is a high-rise structure that's ideal for any downtown or big city layout scene. This 11-story building features a granite facade and ornate trim. It's easily customized using three street-level facades that represent the early 1900s, the 1950s and...

www.walthers.com

Williams Industrial Electric Motors -- Kit 10-1/2 x 7-7/8 x 9-3/4" 26.6 x 20 x 24.7cm

Walthers Cornerstone Williams Industrial Electric Motors is a great big city factory building that fits in a small space. Great for 1930s and later railroads, it's perfect for urban trackside scenes. This five-story brick building features Art Deco detailing along the office entry side of its...

www.walthers.com

Milwaukee Beer and Ale Brewery -- Kit - 12-3/8 x 10 x 12" 31.4 x 25.4 x 30.5cm

Skoal! Prost! Salut! No matter how you say it, the handsome Walthers Cornerstone HO Scale Milwaukee Beer and Ale Brewery building will be the toast of your railroad. Many started as small, local suppliers, eventually growing into huge operations, thanks to the railroads. In every era, these...

www.walthers.com

Hardwood Furniture Company -- Kit - 11-7/8 x 10-5/8 x 8-7/8" 23.5 x 29.5 x 22.5cm

At the Walthers Cornerstone Hardwood Furniture Company boxcar doors slide open. Ramps clang into place from the loading dock. Strong backs bend to their task as the first crates are carried out of the warehouse and into the car. Tucked into the cramped quarters of the industrial district, the...

www.walthers.com

 

[NVSrr1500]

The Moore and company building is still available. requires a little digging

 

[santafewillie]

These were all common structures 20 years ago. Many might still be available from Walther's or other Internet sources. Affordable is subjective based on current availability.
Some I can identify for you based on the pictures on the link that you provided.
There's 2-Walther's Railway Express Agency (REA) Transfer Building that are still in stock at Walther's.

There's a Walther's Red Wing Milling Co, circled below. It is still also available from them.

This one is George Roberts Printing, also still available.

I recognize some of the others, that one in the lower left corner of the previous picture is marketed as some sort of hotel, although off hand I cannot remember who made it.
This tall building is part of Bachmann's Cityscape series, which may only be available on someplace like EBay. Some of the other structures are also from that series.

The structure in the middle next to the water tower is Walther's Merchant's Row II, also still available according to their website.
Many others can be modeled with structures from Smalltown USA, City Classics, or DPM. Take a look at their websites. Most all of these can probably be gotten on EBay or similar sites at a lesser cost than the manufacturer. The links that I highlighted are just a few possibilities.
Hope that this helps.

 

[Rico]

Best bet for affordable buildings is a hobby shop, if you have one nearby, that has consignment goodies.
I'm clearing out so many of mine right now but shipping to you would kill the deal.