Kandelhof Cinema (No. 282795) was released last year, it serves as another interesting architectural offering by Faller for Z gauge. Faller is unique in that they offer both laser-cut cardstock kits and plastic kits. Faller’s build kits in cardstock or plastic share one thing in common: interior detailing in the form of masking. First designed for plastic kits Faller’s ingenious masking material provides window details (curtains and drapes) while also providing opacity after insertion of light inside buildings thus plastic parts don’t unrealistically glow. The mask material for laser-cut kits is unchanged from earlier versions for plastic kits even though the mask’s opacity is not an issue with cardstock kits, window details are thus provided for realism as an unchanged characteristic of Fallers kits.

This example based on prototype (Freiburg, Germany) comprising 4 story multi-use building which includes a cinema. Other parts of the building suggest apartments. Faller’s kit is a very good translation of the prototype with one difference: kit building is freestanding whereas prototype is abutted with another building. Faller thus added a garage and receiving area along with a wall of windows which make for a very interesting building irrespective of the prototype.

Characteristics of Faller’s laser-cut cardstock buildings are fairly lightweight paper parts and some fragile parts as well, but overall the buildings have a realistic scale and color. Packaging is top notch with shrink-wrapped sturdy box, but packaging doesn’t always ensure perfect delivery of the kits if factory errors occur. In this example my kit was delivered with heavy curled and folded parts, it took a bit of finesse to put things right as well as a bit of patience. The fragile parts of Faller kits are the roof pieces, they fray just by looking at them. I have found a little extra scoring on fold line of roof panel helps otherwise paper breaks and separates unrealistically. Movie poster signage was a bit disappointing, it looks nothing like those on the box’s packaging. Also color of parts varies with those found illustrated on the packaging, but this I found minor.

Modification: I made changes to the kit including framing out cinema signage and repainting shutters. The kit instructs cinema signage to be glued to cardboard parts before gluing to building, I didn’t think this would translate well thus I opted to frame out the 2 signs. In the second modification I decided to paint the shutters in a color complementary to those found on prototype: dark red/mahogany. Kit provided light gray shutters, I felt more contrast would work better thus I airbrushed the shutters before installation. Airbrushing has become an essential tool for me to add a little weathering or change color of cardstock parts without damaging the kits with other painting methods.

Overall I would highly recommend Faller kit 282795: good fun and good architecture.

Thanks for taking a look at this post and happy railroading!