What is your experience with the manufacturers of structure kits? I have bought a few N-Scale kits and have been pleased with Blair Line, Cornerstone, and DPM. I have been underwhelmed by Model Power. Before I shell out for other brands, I would be curious to hear your experiences.
I have built alot of Campbell’s kits over the years. The assembly of each kit has been an enjoyable experience and I have always been pleased with finished item. I also love Classic Miniatures, Magnuson, CC Crow and South River Model Works. I have also built some DPMs and modified them so they won’t look like everyone’s DPMs. I am not a big fan of the peel and stick laser kits but I would not discourage anyone else from buying them.
This is an interesting topic.
I am in HO scale but I bet many kits come in a variety of scales. Believe it or not, I like working with the cheaper kits like Model Power and Life Like. They are fun for me because I doctor them up with a lot of detail, and I believe they end up looking pretty good.
… and I got this out of a couple of cheapo coaling tower kits.
Nice! You basically made a el-cheapo Life-Like kit look like a craftsman kit. You should submit an article to MR
I never build a kit as it was intended!
As I need to scratch build most of my buildings as I am doing a Protypical layout a kit is just parts!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
The kits I have enjoyed the most are by Blair Line and Bar Mills.
I also have had some fun kitbashing Walthers kits.
However, the most satisfying modelling I have done has been scratch building. There is a learning curve, and a few of my early projects will get re-done because of various flaws, but personally I believe that if you want a real sense of accomplishment try building something from scratch.
Styrene is what I have used mostly, but I also built a couple of structures from thin pine sheets that I cut on my radial arm saw. Here is one example made from pine:
Here is a narrow gauge engine house built from pine slabs as well:
Here is a styrene station (unfinished):
This is an engine repair shed/machine shop:
This is an approximation of the steam house on the East Broad Top:
It is not difficult if you have basic drawing skills. It is a lot of fun. It gets you exactly the structure you want.
Dave
I’ve got my grandson’s 4x6 HO layout nearly done but my 5x10 HO is just 2-1/2 yrs old. We have used mostly styrene kits. Walthers Cornerstone is the first place I now look. For example, I like their “wood” coaling tower (looks nice when painted). When built and painted & weathered I like them. But I’ve found lots of others that have filled a need: a City Classics gas station, a Model Power gas storage tank, an Atlas station, etc. On my grandson’s layouot we added quite a few town store buildings from Smalltown USA (Rix). I’ve also got a Vollmer oil refinery (overpriced compared to Cornerstone), some Rix oil tanks. I’ve got a Woodland Scenics Landmark Structures church in a box and it looks nice.
I’ve only built one laser kit so far (have some others in a box) and was not excited by that type. They are a little “rough” and hard to paint IMO. But I no doubt will build more.
I built only one hydrocal item, a barn, and did not particularly like it, but a thread here I’ve since read makes me reconsider as many like them and there are some unique offerings in structure type. I’m just getting into other types (e.g., have yet to try a Campbell). I’m currently involved in a SS Ltd boiler house which uses cardstock with a vinyl “corrugated” covering and have a Suydam (now someone else) old station to build (wood). I haven’t tried a resin kit yet. I don’t know if it is significantly different from styrene in terms of detail capability, difficulty, etc, but if I see a type I want I will go for it.
And don’t be shy about modifying one. I added some background buildings where I wanted them shorter (2 vs 3 story) or less deep and successfully modified them (with helpful advice from the forum).
In general I’d say try one from various mfg’s and see what you like. Plan to paint and at least
Hi Richard; you can use most any N Scale kit if you use your imagination and think out side the box as others above have shown you. I rarely build any kit as per the included instructions. I want my stamp on things. Doug
Don’t rule out the card stock models offered by Clever Models. Check their web site to see the variety of structures they offer. You can buy a DVD with many structures as well as extra items, or you can buy individual structures as a download. Just print them as many times you want on card stock & you are ready to go. If you mess up, just print another sheet. They are very easy to modify since they are cardstock…& did I mention, they are a bargain about $5 or $6 per kit. No, I’m not the owner or an employee, just a happy customer. jerry
I enjoyed building this Branchline Trains laser kit, Weimer’s Mill:
At the same time, I get a lot of satisfaction from much simpler kits, like this supermarket from City Classics:
I regard every kit as a starting point. I like to add interiors to most structures, so I seek out the ones with large windows or loading dock doors so the insides can be seen. Signs, figures and other details enhance the scene, like this corner of DPM’s Front Street Building:
When I build a kit, I try to think of the craftsmanship that went into the box. These models were originally designed an built by someone, who fingured out how to lay out the parts on the sprues or on a sheet of wood for cutting. The original dies and molds were drawn and carved in some manner. So, when I think of creating my own model from a kit, I try to “honor” those who made it. They put a lot of work into their models, and I think it’s up to me to do a good job. There are a lot of parts to this Walthers Merchants Row, and it’s important to me to use them well.
