|
Basic Structure Modeling for Model Railroaders by Jeff Wilson A Model Railroader
Basic Structure Modeling for Model Railroaders by Jeff Wilson A Model Railroader Books
Complete photo guide
Soft Cover
88 pages
Copyright 2005
CONTENTS
About the Author/Acknowledgments4
Introduction 5
Chapter One: Plastic Kits7
Chapter Two: Wood Kits21
Chapter Three: Scratchbuilding27
Chapter Four: Structure Roofs35
Chapter Five: Painting49
Chapter Six: Detailing62
Chapter Seven: Signs71
Inspiration: Photo Gallery82
List of Manufacturers86
ON THE BACK COVER
Your step-by-step photo guide to building the perfect structures for your layout
Your new layout has a great track plan, the right locomotives and rolling stock, awesome., groundwork, and wiring that works. So what's between you and having the perfect layout? It might be your buildings. Structures are one of the most important scenic elements on a model railroad. They establish the layout's locale and era, and they help visitors relate more vividly to the scene you've created. Accurate, well-detailed, properly painted buildings bring a layout to life.
It's not difficult to make structures like the pros-if you follow the step-by-step photographic instructions provided in the pages of Basic Structure Modeling for Model Railroaders by Jeff Wilson. Jeff, a former associate editor of Model Railroader magazine and author of many books on model railroading, will show you how to:
Assemble plastic kits
Get the most out of wood kits (they're not as hard as you think!)
Paint and weather your structures
Enhance a building's realism with simple details
Scratchbuild your own buildings
Give your structures realistic roofs
Add color and life to your layouts with signs
Also included is a list of manufacturers who offer kits and aftermarket parts. There's even a photo gallery featuring notable structures built by master modelers-so you can see just a few of the limitless possibilities of structure modeling.
Whether you are new to model railroading or have some experience, Basic Structure Modeling will become an essential reference that helps you get the most out of your layout!
INTRODUCTION
Structures are among the most important scenic elements on a model railroad. Their design helps place the locale and era of a layout, letting visitors (including those "visiting" via photographs) relate to a scene more vividly.
Since choosing structures is an important part of layout design, you must ask yourself several questions at the outset. First, what are your modeling skills, how much time do you have, how much do you like building structures, and what types of structure kits are you comfortable building? Do you want to stick to built-up models and simple injection-molded styrene kits, or do you want to try craftsman-style kits? Are you modeling a real railroad with unique or special buildings that you'll want to scratchbuild?
The next category, the plastic structure kit, represents for many modelers their first attempt at model building. Plastic kits range from easy-to-assemble boxlike buildings to complex factory and industrial buildings. Although plastic kits were once regarded as low-quality stand-ins for scratchbuilt or craftsman kits, many modern plastic kits have good detail and are very realistic.
Wood kits fall into a couple of categories. Laser-cut kits have most parts cut to size, and many use peel-and-stick construction for roofing materials and even fine details like window frames. Craftsman-style kits generally require much more cutting and fitting of parts.
Scratchbuilding
There's also the art of scratchbuilding. Although the thought of building a
structure from raw materials intimidates many modelers, it shouldn't, as scratch-building a simple structure can be as easy as putting together an intermediate-level kit. In fact, once you've built a few kits, you're probably ready to tackle a simple scratchbuilding project.
Scratchbuilding structures can be loads of fun and is often the only way to duplicate specific buildings found in real life. We'll take a look at the tremendous variety of components available for scratchbuilding, including brick and wall materials, window frames, and other detail parts.
Structure improvements
Regardless of the type of kits you build or the era or railroad you model, you can do many things to improve the realism and appearance of structures.
Painting is one of the most basic improvements you can do, as you'll find that even kits labeled "molded in realistic colors" really aren't. A coat of paint is also an easy way to make your model different from all the others out there built from the same kit.
We'll look at many ways of bringing structures to life by adding details, from window treatments and interior detail to exterior items such as roof vents, air conditioners, and loading platforms.
Signs are everywhere in real life, and they should decorate model structures as well. Signs bearing familiar logos and names from national and local companies are useful in marking a model railroad's time and place, and can add a great deal of personality.
Turn the page and we'll begin by looking at the basics of assembling plastic and wood structure kits.
All pictures are of the actual item. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
Shipping charges
Postage rates quoted are for shipments to the US only. Ebay Global shipping charges are shown. These items are shipped to Kentucky and then ebay ships them to you. Ebay collects the shipping and customs / import fees. For direct postage rates to these countries, send me an email. Shipping to Canada and other countries varies by weight.
Payment options
Payment must be received within 10 days. Paypal is accepted.
Terms and conditions
All sales are final. Returns accepted if item is not as described. Contact us first. No warranty is stated or implied. Please e-mail us with any questions before bidding.
Thanks for looking at our items.
| 
