Except, of course, there was that wonderful article in the latest MR on scratchbuilding a Whitcomb 65-tonner.
So, what “everybody knows” is usually wrong. It’s a great article, and actually has me tempted to do one in HO.
I couldn’t wait until April 1 to post this.
So that’s why no one pays attention to me.I am NOBODY! [Y] [8D] [Y]
I just scratch built an outhouse for the log cabin for the display layout at LL Bean. It’s on the very right in this photo. It was a small project, but I have done others.
“Everybody knows nobody scratchbuilds any more!”
That’s really disappointing to hear: I was planning to scratchbuild four boxcars, all different, in the new year. Guess I’ll have to forget about that. [:(]
Wayne
me too, guess i’ll have to trash the 4 houses i’m working on and dump the drawer of evergreen and drawer of tichy and grandt line stuff.
https://www.flickr.com/photos_user.gne?path=&nsid=53243414%40N00&page=1&details=1
Yes, I still scratchbuild. I have 15 pages of scratchbuilt tank cars, kit bashed covered hopper cars and super detailed diesels.
Thanks, Bobby
Wonder where that aggregate dump ramp on my workbench came from?
My scratchbuilding has been of structures – and according to old MR editorials by Linn Westcott it was not technically scratchbuilding at all because I use commercial windows and doors and roofing. LHW maintained that the word “scratchbuilt” meant everything in a model; for locomotives commercial motors and gears were allowed but drive wheels were to be built to qualify as a scratchbuilt locomotive.
But he did concede that there seemed to be no good word or phrase to describe when a modeler made entire freight car bodies or structure shells and finished them off with commercial parts.
Westcott was not a snob about modeling, but he was particular about vocabulary. For example when he became editor MR stopped referring to “prototype plans” because as he pointed out “plans” means a drawing as viewed from above*. MR thereafter used the word “drawings” where they had used “plans.”
Dave Nelson
I am seriously contemplating building a unique small mine building for my new layout. Have no idea what it will look like, or its dimensions, or how I’ll do it, but I am determined to give it a darned solid shot. I have done a small shack, which didn’t turn out great, and a timber curved deck trestle that I figure is passable. I even stained it with real creosote oil, and boy was it shuuuhweeeeeeeeet…for about a week until either my nose got used to it or the volatiles dissipated almost entirely.
I think most of us try small, doable, projects. Few of us are going to be as masterful as those who design and produce the FSM and similar models.
Don’t forget about kitbashing as well. sometimes the boundary between scratchbuilds and kitbashes gets a bit vague
Glad to hear I have company [:D]
Bob
Michael, I think you are trying to stir the pot![swg][(-D][(-D]
Seriously, go for the HO version. Building it will be a blast!
Scratch building is my favourite aspect of the hobby. The critter in my avatar is scratch built out of brass. Kitbashing comes second.
Dave
I guess i did not scratch build those 2 bay covered hopper of mine also. Must be losing my mind in my old age.
Well fan me with a plate of soup, I must not be a real model railroader then.[sigh]
Cheers, the Bear.[:(]
I built this station and a small tool shed from scratch some years ago:
It’s not the most detailed thing in the world, and could be better in myriad ways, but it’s the first structure I ever scratchbuilt, and from a distance, at least, it’s passable.
Oh yeah, this is the same photo as in my signature.
check out the library of congress site in the prints and photographs under the H.A.B.S tab type in mine on search line.
Michael
My reply will be in a different manner and I do not take offense at your misunderstanding of a an awesome part of the Hobby. I would encourage you do a bit of research and perhaps even join the NMRA- National Model Railroad Association. This organization is dedicated to setting stds for teh hobby, they have a master model builder program that one can work towards a certificate in that area, good Divisions have regular meets where they have guest speakers on how to scratch build etc…Good peopel, good fun and an excellant way to broaden and improve your enjoyment of the hobby.
I would also like to invite you to Jeffries trackside diner. Come on over and I will buy you a cup of Joe and there you can talk on topic ( Railroads) or just about your day.
YGW
YGW, thanks, but…
…I guess my original post should have been labeled “This post may contain humor, sarcasm, flatulence, or any combination of the above.”
Until you discover that nobody makes a kit or RTR model of something you just have to have…
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/256684/2889216.aspx#2889216
…and then you discover that scratch building, or kitbashing, or kit mingling, or scratch bashing, isn’t as hard as you thought (although it can be time consuming). It’s also not cheaper: the best reasons to do it are 1) you enjoy it, and 2) it’s the best way to get the model you want.
It’s interesting to go back and read the old MR back issues to see what people once had to do: turning wheels on a lathe, for example. I’m glad to use commercial parts when I can - can you imagine what some of the great modelers of the past could have done with the resources we have now?
And where will 3D printing fit?
Well, Michael, I suspected a bit ‘o tongue-in-cheek as I read the title of your post. I personally prefer to schratchbuild (or kitbash, as the case may be), as it adds a unique touch to my small layout. Besides, I often can readily identify a kit-built structure (with no modifications) on others’ layouts with repidity.