Basic question: where to get Wood (not plastic) kits of bridges, buildings for my HO layout? Best ones in your opinion also? Challenging to get now with all the shops basically closed…Trying to buy online…Thanks,
Depending on what you are looking for, one great source is Campbell Scale Models:
https://www.campbellscalemodels.com/
Sheldon
There’s plenty of wood kits on ebay. I like Fine Scale Miniatures, FOS Scale Models, Master Creations, South River Modelworks, Scale Structures Limited, Campbell, Bar Mills. I’m sure I’ve unintentionally left out some other great kits but this list is a good start. Some of these kits are pricey and complicated but if you’re patient, you can find the kits you want at a decent price. Good luck
I like American Model Builders (AMB). They’re wood laser kits and they go together very nicely. Blair Line is another laser kit company that puts out a fine product.
Tom
Hi jjo,
Blair Line and Bar Mills make great wood structure kits and Blair line has a couple of small bridges.
If you are looking for trestle bridges, JV Models offers a couple of nice craftsman kits, but be aware that all they supply is a box of raw materials most of which have to be cut to fit your specific bridge.
Grand Central Gems offers pre-assembled bents in various sizes.
Dave
You could scratch build a bridge or trestle. This book has excellent information.
This is one of my drawings of my Howe Open Truss Bridge.
Double Click for full size
I also scratch built my trestle.
I use Midwest Products Scale Lumber for all of my wood projects, they sell direct.
Outstanding work, Mel. [Y]
Rich
I’ve built a couple of structures in the Branchline Trains Laser-Art series. I took my time, added rudimentary interiors and lighting and ended up with two very nice structures. These kits are worth the expense and time, even to provide landscaping and scenery around them which highlight the building.
The very best is Fine Scale Miniatures, Best place is e-bay and don’t go for kits numbered under 100 for the most part. The reason I love these kits is they give step by step instructions, I mean they even tell you how to paint parts and when and you can buy alot of them for under $100 each. Only bad thing about them are they are not based on real buildings but they do look very railroady.
I second Tom’s suggestions. I built a Santa Fe station from AMB and a church from Blair Line as first forays beyond plastic kits, and they both turned out wonderful. Next on my list are kits from Bar Mills and Banta, which look similar in the degree of difficulty (= pretty easy). Then I have two more challenging tasks ahead, kits from BEST (Bollinger Edgerly Scale Trains) and Mine Mount Models (very new in this field; very limited selection). Both produce unique-looking structures, but building them goes beyond gluing together laser-cut parts. When you open these kits, the first thing you notice is a bundle of HO-scale 2x4s, which you have to cut to the correct size.
JW
In the last couple years there have been some new faces at Timonium. Nick and Nora Designs (for the youngins, Nick and Nora Charles were Dick Powell and Myrna Loy of the 1930’s Thin Man movie series) is one of several. I had a long chat with the principal, so it is the only one I remember. No affiliation and I don’t own any of their kits.
https://nickandnoradesigns.com/shop/ols/categories/ho-structure-kit
I like to have structures that most people don’t recognize as a Walthers or Campbells kit.
Mel, that is Outstanding work on your trestle!!! Also love the mountainous terrain in background!! Very well Done!! Thank you
Thank You!
The trestle is the oldest structure on my layout. I built it in 1988 as I laid the track. It was a critical part of my mainline. It is made of Northeastern Scale Lumber Basswood. I think I used Ambroid Wood glue. It has held up very good and actually supports the track.
I used the book in my earlier post to design both the trestle and my Open Howe Truss Bridge.
The backdrop is from Backdrop Warehouse, it too is quite old. I think I bought it in the early 1990s.
Mel
[quote user=“rrebell”]
The very best is Fine Scale Miniatures, Best place is e-bay and don’t go for kits numbered under 100 for the most part. The reason I love these kits is they give step by step instructions, I mean they even tell you how to paint parts and when and you can buy alot of them for under $100 each. Only bad thing about them are they are not based on real buildings but they do look very railroady.
They have some amazing products!! BIG attention to detail and accuracy…They are in my A list for future expansion…Thank you…V Good tip!!!
Took notes on your recos…Very helpful info…I feel better about the availability of wood kits vs plastic…I do plan to build some from scratch also later…Thank you…I will follow your counsel.
Loving Fine Scale Miniatures and checking Ebay often…Came accross Timberline (wood) kits today? Are they decent? Hard to beat the detail of FSM…Thanks guys.