Straco Express Layout, Part 59 - Rising Above One's Station

I don't often find things for the Straco Express layout at the York Train Meet. But every now and then something turns up. This time, I found a new -- well, newer -- train station.

I've had the previous train station since 2012 (see Part 17). The one I bought at the meet was in much better shape.

The graphics were different, but that wasn't surprising. I knew that Bandai changed them for different train sets.

What was a surprise was the actual shape. I had assumed that this new station would be the same as my old one. Not so.

Getting a rise

The two stations were similar, and served similar functions. Both were battery packs that served as power sources for their trains.

Both had basic on/off/reverse lever controllers. The differences were in the details.

My Aero station had the switch added to the front of the station (above). The new one had a lever attached to the side (below).

Different, yet the same

The new station also had a thicker base. Both use the same canopy shelter, though. And what I found most interesting is that both kept the same general graphic design. Both suggest that there's an arch for passengers in the middle of the building.

I like the way height of the new station. It lines up nicely with the Nomura passenger cars. I don't know yet which Bandai set this station came with. Yet.

Layout construction:

• Pegboard: $4.95
• Flathead Screws: $0.40
• Molding: $2.49
• SilClear: borrowed from a friend
• Green Paint: leftover  from another project
• Wood Screws: $3.60
• Felt Pads: $1.99

Power Pack: $5.90
Small Houses: $3.00
Testor's Gray Paint for road: $1.29

Bandai Areo Station: $8.99
Bandai Station: $10.00
2 tinplate signs: $1.00
4 tinplate signs (with train) $5.99
Cragstan HO Light Tower $20.49
4 nesting houses $4.99
Tinplate gas station: $5.00

Vehicles:

• Two Japanese toy cars: $2.00
• A.W. Livestock truck: $4.99
• Taxi: $2.99
• Ambulance: $2.99
• Two Japanese patriotic cars: $6.99
• Haji three-wheel sedan $3.00
• Haji three-wheel tanker $5.00
• 1950's sedan $2.99
• LineMar Police Car $9.00
• LineMar Pepco Truck $8.50
• LineMar Bond Bread Van $8.00
• LineMar Fire Engine $4.95
• LineMar Dump Truck $12.99
• LineMar GE Courier Car $10.98
• LineMar County School Bus $9.99
• Nomura Red Sedan $5.00
• Nomura Police Car $2.52
• Nomura lumber truck $3.48
• 6 Nomura vehicles $16.99
• Shioji Express Truck $10.00
• Shioji Covered Truck $12.50
• Shioji Dump Truck $9.95
• Shioji Shell Tanker $10.50
• Orange Sedan $10.99
• King Sedan $9.95
• Indian Head logo sedan $4.99
• Indian Head (?) convertible $18.00
• Yellow/red Express truck $9.99
• Red limousine FREE

Total Project Cost: $300.30