Many of us have marvelled at the numerous unique structures Art Curren (and others) have managed to create through the simple act of combining and changing parts from typical offerings of manufacturers over the years. Yes, they have managed to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary!
This posting showcases a couple of rudimentary kitbashes that I built when I first got into this great hobby fifteen years ago. Yes, they were my first efforts...and, no...they weren't spectacular, but they are sentimental to me, so they all hold a location on my B&M railroad that I constructed ten years ago.
I found in the September 1984 MR issue (page 70) an interesting kitbashing project proposed by Art Curren. Art recommended combining two simple AHM snap-together kits (later IHC) to create a highly effective model of a railroad freighthouse or storage shed. In that article he provided two examples; one combining the basic farmhouse and schoolhouse and the other combining the schoolhouse and barn.
Here we see the basic AHM barn in the foreground combined with the basic AHM schoolhouse in back to form one structure. I was impressed with Art Curran's ingenuity by utilizing the shared "inner walls" that would be useless material to make the interior wall partitions at the recessed loading ramp door. This structure resides along my abandoned section of Maine Central trackage.
This building was constructed using the basic AHM schoolhouse in the front with the basic AHM farmhouse (two story structure) in back. Art Curran's creative talents once again came to the fore here. He recommended creating the small annex you see in the foreground using the extra schoolhouse wall from the interior of the building.
This structure resides along Boundary Road on the outskirts of North Dover. With a little added details, the scene really comes to life.
Here is the picture from the DPM package.
...and here is the large industrial facility made from eight or ten of the Laube Linen Mills. With the addition of vines, downspouts and signage painted on the walls, some of the lines were eliminated. It is the overall effect I wanted at the time and the building has served its purpose doing yeoman's service during operating sessions over the course of the past ten years!
While not really craftsman structures, it is interesting to see how some creative kitbashing with plastic models can result in fascinating and realistic looking industries for your model railroad!
Foscale's backdrop buildings are excellent offerings for my current needs as I am planning a shelf layout to be built along the walls of my crew lounge. The shelf will be 16 inches deep. Berrigan's Boat Works began with the Foscale Kit #17 Winger Paper Bag Company. A friend scanned the sign and I reworked it to name the structure after my friend, Gerry Berrigan.
I like the look of this stucture with its slight changes to the elevation seeing how the section to the lower left juts out a bit. The loading dock and its concrete supports are interesting as well and the triangular peak on the roof certainly adds visual interst.
A front view showcases the windows, doors and overhang. While this building really appeals to me, I want Berrigan's Boat Works to be a larger facility so I decided that a scratchbuilt extension would be in order.
Here is the extension. To create this add-on, I took parts from a variety of kits I had hanging around on the shelves. The wall section was easy...it is one clapboard wall from the Bar Mills' "I-Kit". I wanted unique doors and larger windows, so I robbed them from a Full Steam Ahead kit I will be building. The kit is the R.G, Shinnie Boatworks and I am not too concerned with one wall of that kit missing its windows and doors as that wall section will be the back wall of the structure and will never be seen by viewers in the room. The roofing came from leftovers in another Bar Mills kit and the beautiful loading dock is a Ed Fulasz plaster offering.
Some of the loading dock detail can be seen here. I haven't glued any of the detail parts to the model just yet...only placed it for the photograph. I will eventually create some steps to join the upper ramp with the lower one.
A 45 degree angle view of the completed structure. I really like the look of the extension as is fits in nicely with the original building.
I am really excited about how this amalgamation of kits and kit parts turned out and I know the Berrigan Boat Works will make a wonderful contribution to my new shelf layout!
First task after opening the box is to lay all the contents out. The laser cut items go together so well that it is almost as easy as doing a jigsaw puzzle! 
I chose to paint my station in the standard Boston and Maine colours...Depot Buff and Maroon. I applied the paint as a wash so as not to plug in any of the fine details with too thick of a paint.
With the walls all painted, it is a simple matter of lining everything up, making sure all is square and glueing the wall pieces togethers. My heavy weights come in handy with this job...although there are a number of different methods out there to brace and ensure the degree of squareness.
The roof section is added and the depot is installed around the platform. Starting to look like a station to me!
This side view demonstrates some of the dry brush weathering on the side of the station depot. Some figures and other details have been added.
This angle shot shows the almost finished product. I just have to place some posters and signs around and it should be done. Then, place it on the shelf and await the layout extension job!
Before handing the finished station back to Chris, I wanted to place it on a diorama and set it in an active location, knowing full well that when it would go to Chris, it would be placed within the context of a quieter and less busy area.
Chris snapped this photograph of the station on his Lyon Valley Northern railroad. It certainly looks at home nestled in the foothills.
Chris's wider view showcases just how much a show-stopper this scene is taking into consideration his incredible talents with scenery and painted backdrops.
On to the bottom main entranceway that juts out from the building. Paint colours were applied to the layers. Then it was a simple matter of applying the 'peel and stick' layers overtop everything. This method makes you look like a masterful painter when done! Easy as 1-2-3!
See what I mean! I love this 'peel and stick' technology. Man, today's kits are super exciting to build!
Here's the finished lower section of the pharmacy. The windows are opague. I snapped this shot with a flash. All sections went together very well. 
Side awnings are in. All the signs are nicely weathered and applied. I really like the appearance of this structure!
A nice three-quarter angle look at the finished structure. Patrons of the town where Kaz will eventually place this structure will have little health worries with Klinger's Pharmacy around!
Before handing the Pharmacy over to Kaz, I wanted to photograph it in amongst other buildings I had been working on at the time. It sure looks good place among its brethren! 