Yes These are perfect for a Small Suburban City

This Past Fall I went to the Model Railroad show near Washington D.C. At the show Woodland Scenics had a Sales and product display Booth and even though I build in HO they had these sets of "N" Scale City Buildings in Three different size sets including the large set your questioning and they are very nice. I considered using a set for an area set back on my railroad to give the illusion of a city much farther in the distant than the 12 feet back from the viewing area. The photos you see on the web site are actual photos of the structures and these structures are a very good quality and very detailed for such small buildings 

These will make a fine suburban Downtown for your Railroad weather you use them all now or save some for a future extension of your railroad and will last for many many years.

I have some of these kits

I have some of these kits from DPM and are perfect for a kitbash... in general good quality plastic models.

I never forget this long post of this "artist" ( HO scale but same buildings )

http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24466&whichpage=1

http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24466&whichpage=4

and his Picture album ... SUPERB?

http://public.fotki.com/khamilton/models/dpm-storefronts/page5.html

If you want an alternative to Amazon, check here if you like to select some and not all buildings as a big box:

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/N-Scale-Structures-s/1440.htm?searching=Y&sort=3&cat=1440&show=30&page=1&brand=Design%20Preservation%20Models

And the same shop have the same of Amzaon box for $99.99 ...

"I don't have a final layout

    If it would help you get going on the project then spending money on the buildings might be a good idea. If you are sure you want that type of scenery the track plan will have to be designed to accommodate  them so having them on hand could be useful.  .....DaveB

I have some of these.

I won't be using the kits.  Contact me offline.

Den

I'd say

Read the "negative" comments in context.  If you want easy, slap-together buildings that you don't have to spend much time on, then look at more expensive options, including the pre-built buildings that are available.  However, if you want to learn the ins and outs of building basic structures, and get lots of buildings for little money, this is a pretty good kit to get.  There is so much to learn through all the "problems" the one reviewer was complaining about - flash, sanding wall sides flat, etc.  You can look at it as a pain and a bad thing, or you can look at it as an opportunity to learn some fundamentals of model building.  There are lots of opportunities to take these buildings and make them into anything you want.  Build a few as "stock" and then kitbash some into other things as you learn how things work.  

It all comes down to whether you want a quick way to add buildings to a layout, or you want an inexpensive start to learn some of the fundamentals of model building.

Thanks!

Good call. Context is everything. I don't understand some of the negative reviews for N Scale products on Amazon. "It's so small!" "My kid broke it!" etc etc etc. Those reviews can easily be ignored. This one wasn't so easy to ignore because I'd consider myself a novice model builder. I did successfully build the Kato/Feller North American Suburban Station without much difficulty though. These look to be a bit more involved but nothing I can't handle I suppose. I think I'll spring for it. Thanks for the advice everyone and for the links to the HO counterparts! Wow. These things can look great in the hands of an expert modeler! I hope to craft a city half as decent.

Highly recommend

Hi. I bought this in N scale and couldn't be happier. They fill out my traction section/town. I encourage anyone building these to find the videos that Miles (now of TMTV fame) did for them on YouTube. Here is the first. 

they do a great job of explaining how to deal with flashing,mold release issues, different types of adhesives, painting ideas, etc.  and, Miles is fun to listen to.

Good luck,

Neil

First structure built

Lots of stuff

you can do for weathering without an airbrush.  Chalks, washes, weathering powders, you name it, you can do it.  When you are ready to weather, check out some of the weathering articles in MRH, search for weathering here on the forum and/or ask some questions.  And post some photos!!