Structures
Everything on model trains, model railroads, model railways, locomotives, model train layouts, scenery, wiring, DCC and more. Enjoy the world's best hobby... model railroading!
Plans for 13 Old West Models Now Available
Now you can create your very own old wild western town with these 13 downloadable plans. Make them to OO gauge, N scale or HO scale. https://www.modelbuildings.org/wildwest-mining/
ModelBuildings.org also has a series of old western mining town structures that would fit well the old west models seen above.
13 Impressive Old West Buildings to Download, Print, and Build for Your Model Railroad
Have you ever wanted to create a realistic miniature old western town either for your model railroad, or as a scenic diorama without trains? Look no further, here are 13 old west buildings that can be made as OO gauge, N scale or HO scale buildings. https://www.modelbuildings.org/wildwest-mining/
The site also has a range of old west mining town buildings that would go with the nicely with the above series.
How To Scale Model Buildings To Provide Realistic Perspective
For scale model buildings that are seen as up-close or positioned in the foreground they need to be seen at 100% size. If the model buildings are 100 – 500 yards (90 – 450 meters) away then the model building plans be reduced to 90% to 100% of the downloaded size to give real illusion of distance. If the model railroad buildings are supposed to be ¼ or up to ½ mile away then the models could be reduced to approx. 80% to 90% of the full size of the PDF. Buildings that need to appear to be a mile or two away could be 30% – 50% of the full PDF size. Understandably these sizes are a guide only.
So if for example; if an N gauge building is 5 inches (13 cm) tall close-up, it would need to be 4 inches to 4½ inches (10cm to 11.5cm) tall if it was positioned ¼ – ½ mile away.
That’s one of the huge advantages of downloading PDF plans of structures – they can easily be scaled down to a smaller size. Download a free catalog at https://www.modelbuildings.org
The Range Of Downloadable Scale Model Building Plans Just Expanded Some More
Just download and print these photo-reastic paper plans and stick them to card or corflute (the latter is best for backdrop structures). They look amazing and so real when constructed. The printable plans come in OO gauge size which you can very easily reduce to 87% to convert them to exactly HO scale, or you can buy the N scale versions which you can print same size for N scale. You can also download the latest free catalog. The new website still has lots of value-packed deals with savings of between 50% and 87%, or you can purchase plans individually. The choice is yours!
Visit the new look modelbuildings.org website with a great range of new designs to download.
Create A Realistic Scene With A Fire Damaged Building
17 new designs have just been added to the range of OO/HO and N scale plans at modelbuildings.org including a fire damaged background building and a city fire station. The fire damaged building is realistically detailed to show charcoal damaged wood around the windows, soot, and even broken windows. There are so many possibilities for the hobbyist to add to the scene with emergency vehicles, bystanders watching on etc. Now available on the newly designed ModelBuildings.org website. 
Just Released – Download Plans For 3 City Buildings
Just released are downloadable PDF backdrop plans to construct a cinema, department store, and two shops with apartments above. These plans are available to download in HO/OO and N scale. Exclusive to https://www.modelbuildings.org
New Website Has 12 House Plans To Download
EXCITING NEWS!
The https://www.modelbuildings.org website has just had a major upgrade to make it easier to find your way around the huge range of downloadable OO/HO and N scale photo realistic plans.
PLUS NEW DESIGNS & MORE ON THE WAY!
17 new designs have just been added with more on the way in coming weeks and months. You can now click on the various links on the HOME PAGE to check out the special buy bundle deals and individual plans in a range of categories including: Residential, Industries, Towns / Cities / Shops, Railroad Structures, Farm Buildings, Shipping Containers, Wild West / Mining, Wall / Tunnels / Bridges and more.
Here are 12 new house plans that have just been added to the range.
How’s This for a Huge Roundhouse?
You don’t often see a photo of the rear of a large roundhouse. Reg sent in this photo he shot at the Guilherand Granges Model Train Show in France. You would certainly need a lot of space to accommodate such a structure. Very impressive!
Tell Us What Buildings You Would Like Added To The ModelBuildings.org Website
There are already more than 160 downloadable scale model plans available on the www.modelbuildings.org website, and soon another 10 new plans will be added. The question is; what plans would you like to see that are not currently available on the site? Add your suggestions in the comments section below and add a photo if want to.
Above are some the plans currently available. What else would you like to see on the site? Add your suggestion below. Include a photo if you have one.
Adding A Residential Street Scene To Your Layout
The modelbuildings.org site has a range of plans for making a residential street scene including 3D UK and USA style houses as well as a range of space saving scale model houses in low relief for positioning against your backdrop.
The feedback on these 8 scale model houses has been excellent with many readers telling their friends about them. The designer of these 8 plans certainly spent considerable time perfecting the accurate and intricate details… and it shows.
The 8 scale model house plans are available now for 70% off the individual listed price.
Verandas and posts can easily be made using balsa wood and then be painted. You can print out extra windows and doors and glue then behind cut out doors and windows to give an added 3D effect, or you can cut out 3 sides of a door or window and leave it slightly open… again adding to the 3D realism. Ground cover is obviously not included, but most in the hobby will want to do this themselves anyway.
Ideas For Scenery and Structures
Morgan would like some ideas for his HO shelf layout from anyone who has any suggestions:
“My shelf layout is 12″/yes, one foot deep. To be 24′ long, currently finished only one 8′ board/left end. On that board I have barely enough track, and very little room for buildings, etc. Will probably need false fronts on the wall to “simulate” business for the railroad. 3″ at the most in depth. But can be 3′ wide, meaning more than one building. With this narrow a layout, I do not anticipate backdrop. Maybe just drawing paper painted pale blue on the wall. This is not to be a showplace. Mostly just for me. So I’m looking for ideas. Basic area is West TX, so it’s pretty barren. I have tons of cars, so the industries can be most anything. ?? An ice platform for refrigerator cars. ?? LOL But oil and stock pens are good. Ideas and suggestions, please.”
Impressive Arched Bridge on Display at the York Model Railway Exhibition
Online Model Train Club Member Frank R W sent in these photos he snapped at the York Model Railway Show in the UK a couple of years ago.
Obviously a substantial structure like this a very expensive and time consuming to build. It is certainly impressive and it you have the space and resources it would be a great project to work on. If you are not in that position then there are cheaper and easier options here.
Making Fuel Tanks For A Model Train Layout
Garry W, a member of the Online Model Train Club from Caboolture near Brisbane in Australia, snapped this photo at a local model railway exhibition. Garry queried how these fuel tanks were made. He thought they looked scratch built from recycled plastic containers, and would like to hear what others think. Gary pointed out, “They certainly add interest set alongside the track, but I did wonder if they were too close to moving (potentially derailing) trains?”
If you have any thoughts on making fuel tanks or have a photo to share, just submit your contribution using the COMMENTS link under this posting. You will also be able to see what others sent in.
Ideas for Making Water Tower Ladder
David puts this question:
“I made a water tower on my HO set . I want to make a ladder for the tower. Does anyone have any suggestions please?”
What Height Should A Water Tower Be?
David models in HO and has this question:
“I want to build a water tower for stream engines. Can anyone give size I need to build one please?”
If you would like to have your question published, simply use the ‘ASK A QUESTION’ link below one of the blog postings. Your question will then be reviewed by the Blog Moderator and when approved will be published. Note – some question don’t get published if they are confusing, lack the necessary details, or have bad spelling etc. It is the Blog Moderators job (a voluntary position) to maintain a good quality for the benefit of all readers.
How to Light Up a Building
This question comes from online Train Model Club Member Nicholas:
“I want to light up some buildings. What size/type of bulbs and electrical supply do I need?”
The ASK A QUESTION link is under every post if you have a question you would like published.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
Download Your Free Catalog
Use Tiny Railroad Micro Controllers
Model Train Help Ebook
