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!
Ideas for Food Industry on Layout
A question from another readers:
“Hello I am wanting to build a new HO scale layout I want a food factory on this layout and another industry. It needs to fit in a very small space 1 and a half feet by no more the 9-8 inches please give me tips and advice thanks – Brock Ian”
Add you suggestion (and view suggestions from others) using the COMMENTS tag below.
Modern Day Scenery Ideas Needed
Doug has this question for readers:
I am building a 4×8 ft n scale layout, and I need realistic modern day buildings cars and trucks. I am finding limited items via Walthers and Woodland Scenics. Any help would be appreciated. I am in the U.S.”
Richard Shares Photos of the Models he Constructed
Richard sent in these photos to share with readers and says:
“I mentioned I would send a few pictures, this is first shots of section before getting put on the layout, I still have some more details to do, but thought you might like to see these.
Yes, I cut the windows out and used non glare tape inside of houses. Because of space I had to hang a few near the edge of cliff and so with the texture sheet that came with the plans I made the decking, and cut wood to make the railings.”
Richard used these plans:
Sharp-eyed readers will note that Richard has cleverly adapted and extended a couple of the backdrop factory plans to suit his own personal requirements. He’s done a great job!
Scaling Objects To HO
David posted this question:
“Does some know the formula for figuring out the HO size of normal wooden dowels? Example how big is a ½ dowel in HO?”
LED Lighting in Downloadable Buildings
Bob might have spotted the LED lighting in Rich’s photos below and has this question for readers:
“What is the best way to control led light bleed in downloadable card stock buildings? Black core flute and interior walls?”
You Can Make the LONGEST Background Building in the World with these Plans for just a few $$!
Download the plans just once and you can print out several copies to make a VERY LONG scale model backdrop building in OO gauge, HO, or N scale. Just extend the backdrop building as far as you want. You can even join the red brick building to the gray brick building (both are the same size) to are variation. Easy to follow construction diagrams included.
http://www.modelbuildings.org/Pack-K-Industries-Backdrop-Structures.html
How to Add the Effect of Real Grouting to Brickwork Models
Wayne models OO gauge and asks readers:
“I am constructing a plastic model of a building and would like to detail it giving the effect of grouting otherwise it will look fake. How can I paint brickwork to have the effect of grout between the bricks.”
Submit your question for publication to the Blog Moderator by using the ASK A QUESTION link just below this posting.
What Materials Are Best For Constructing Scale Model Buildings From Downloadable Photo-Realistic Print-out Plans?
I often get asked what type of card to use for making model buildings from downloadable plans, so I have put together the following to illustrate the options.
PLEASE NOTE: I don’t want to confuse, or over-complicate the process by suggesting anything other than card from old cereal packs, or corflute… but I do appreciate that some model railroaders and makers of diorama scenes have their own personal preferences on which materials they use. So, the purpose of this is to simply explain some of the options.
So, in most cases you don’t need to go out and buy cardboard, unless you really want to. The cardboard from old cereal packs is what most in the hobby use for 3D buildings, and corflute is the material of choice for most who make “low relief” backdrop buildings. That’s the feedback I have had from hundreds (probably thousands) of happy customers.
Sawmill Question
Please asks readers:
“I have recently bought a plastic model HO German model sawmill, Auhagen 12217. I am pleased with this small unit but am unclear as to how the 4 buildings are related. The actual sawing part is quite clear but the sequence for the logs to becoming boards is not. I would appreciate help. Thank you.”
A Train That Weighs The Same As 27,000 Elephants?
Here’s some interesting and strange facts worth sharing –
A Quick & Easy Way To Make Little Bus Shelters For Your Layout
Add small details can really add interest to a layout and make it more closely resemble a real scene. These little shelters are an example of a how a small object can bring activity to a railroad scene. They’ll need a bus and maybe some people waiting nearby or walking to a shelter to catch a bus… that’s activity… and that’s the kind of thing that will bring a layout to life. These shelters could also be used as small storage sheds in a farm scene. All kinds of options.
More info on how to make these little bus shelters here.
The Easy Way To Make Scale Model Walls And Bridges For Your Railroad Layout
More info on how to make these walls and bridges here.
NEW! Extendable, Adaptable Plans For Photo Realistic Scale Model Backdrop Buildings Now Available
Here’s an easy way to effectively extend the background scene behind a rail yard without spending a fortune on plastic models. The two red and gray brick buildings seen below can be constructed to resemble the images on the left, or you can extend the width of the buildings by just printing out another copy of the full color plans. You won’t need to download the plans a second time… you just print out a second or third copy to extend the building out as far as you want. The designs can even be combined to use a mix of red and gray brickwork (as seen in the third image below).
Foamboard or corflute is the best construction material as it is cheap to buy in large sheets, and is very sturdy. Otherwise you could use card from an old cereal box (maybe double the thickness). Thin strips of balsa or even plastic power ties can be painted gray to add extra detailing if required. They look very authentic when constructed.
Downloadable plans for the buildings in this new series can be purchased separately, or if you want to save some money, combination packs of several buildings are currently available on the website at a discounted price. Full details here http://www.modelbuildings.org/Pack-K-Industries-Backdrop-Structures.html
Trestle Kit Question
James has a question he is hoping a reader will help him with. I presume he has contacted the supplier without success otherwise he wouldn’t be asking the question?:
“I have a JV-models HO trestle kit #2014. The instruction say to transfer bent diagram to plywood. The bent diagram is only 5 1/2″ tall and 3′ WIDE AT BASE. The bents can be built to 18″, is the base 3″ at 18″ hgt or is to be extrapolated out to 18″ which would make them 5 1/2″ wide.”
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
Download Your Free Catalog
Use Tiny Railroad Micro Controllers
Model Train Help Ebook
