What was this very sophisticated building set?

December 2, 2020 9:25 AM

A friend who passed some time ago, spent his last year building an elaborate scale-model “town” on top of a very large, dedicated table in his office. He sometimes worked on it with his grandson, but it was mostly for his own amusement. It definitely wasn’t legos. And it didn’t have a historical theme, but was modern. Also, it may have been more a collection of things rather than a coherent town. Not sure.

It also had premade pieces that fit together (sort of like the old model plane sets) My impression was that it was European and each piece was very expensive. I’ve lost touch with his widow, unfortunately. It wasn’t Meccano, although it did have moving parts though. Sorry for the vague memory.

Does this jog anyone’s thoughts? Thank you!

posted by Gusaroo to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (7 answers total)

This is probably not quite what you are talking about, but your description made me think of something like the model town in Beetlejuice or the model towns people build around model trains, and they sell building kits for model towns. We used to have an awesome hobby shop in my town (sadly put out of business over the years by big box stores) that sold model trains, kits like these to build various buildings which you could do with or without trains and track, other types of models (cars, planes) and general crafting supplies. I don't know if I am anywhere within the realm of what you are talking about though.
posted by MustangMamaVE at 9:43 AM on December 2, 2020 [1 favorite]

This is a longshot, but expensive European building toys make me think of Anchor Blocks.
posted by wanderingmind at 9:55 AM on December 2, 2020 [2 favorites]

There are companies like Faller or Vollmer that produce model buildings, roads, street furniture, etc. - intended for the model train hobby, but it's pretty common for people to make non-train dioramas and architectural models with these kits, or parts from them.
posted by niicholas at 10:06 AM on December 2, 2020

There are companies like Faller or Vollmer that produce model buildings

...and have a factory, in Chicago, that makes miniature models...of factories.

(sorry, I'm leaving)
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 12:01 PM on December 2, 2020

I am very, very good at locating people. Should you genuinely want to reach out to the widow, feel free to memail me and I'll do my best.
posted by cyndigo at 5:24 PM on December 2, 2020

Model houses are a thing in the collectibles world. I don't know of any that come "some assembly required", but there might be.
posted by SemiSalt at 5:30 AM on December 3, 2020

Response by poster: Thank you everyone. I finally got a photo of the set up. I'm thinking it looks most like Kibri or Viessmann models. Thank you niicholas!
posted by Gusaroo at 12:00 PM on December 3, 2020