Hey folks: Just wanted to start a new thread about structure building. What do you prefer? Kits? Kit bashing? Scratch Build? I'm working on a Walther's Merchant's Row III kit, and if you add some details, it's not too bad. Here's a shot of one of the Reliable Warehouse kits I built. Show off your work! Let's see what talent lies in this HO forum...
I'm a scratchbuilder by necessity. Nothing show quality but just enough to get the job done. Here's a few.
I enjoy scratchbuilding. This little cafe had very few commercial parts, and they are some of the castings, such as the phone, radio, cash register, wood stove and figures.
d) All of the above! In the town of Wilson... Red arrows are scratchbuilt, Blue arrows are kits, and green arrows are kitbashed. And on my DuPont Plant, The small buildings are kitbashed, while the towers, tanks, bins, unloading shed, flare tower, piping, evaporation ponds(damn EPA) are all scratchbuilt. Enjoy! JMS
I really like your DuPont Plant! Excellent use of Pikestuff kits, and I really like the scratch built tanks and towers!
Nice topic indeed; and anything to give a tip not told or point reminded is a plus in my humble opinion. Some really nice modeling within this thread so far
All great, that is where I have come up really short is in the buildings dept. You guy are great modelers for sure. Spent too much much time building locos I dont need LOL.
I tend to use Walthers kits and modify for the layout. Here are two kits modified into one building Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Here is a Blair Line "Greene's Feed" kit in assembly. Instructions suggested painting, but I decided to stain with India Ink & Alcohol mixture. Crappy cell phone shot, but the wood grain turned out amazing. The actual structure is complete now, but I need to finish the loading platform before I get some finished shots.
In case you haven't seen it, here is my latest build: http://trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/my-sierra-west-hotel.85276/#post-938359 Sierra wests Hotel and Dry goods in HO.
Here's another scratchbuild that is over 20 years old. During the transition era, the freight station was important for communities. There was no FedEx or UPS back then. Long haul trulking was not up and running yet. Most everything came into smaller communities through a freight station, and handled by the Railway Express Agency, of small independent trucking companies to deliver and pick up goods. Food, clothing, appliances, tools, farm supplies, you name it. This structure is also lit.
Excellent work! I like the fact that you have parking available for the shops. Seems like some people forget about parking! JMS
