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Buildings and structures
There are various ways to populate a model railway with
buildings and structures. Real enthusiasts construct their
models from scratch, often based on real buildings on real
railways. While such models can look very good, and be
accurate representations of the real thing, people with
jobs and families usually don't have time for this sort
of activity. Most of us will have to resort to
kits of some sort. In practice there are three main
types: card, etched metal, and plastic. There are also
a few suppliers who offer cast plaster models, particularly
of stone buildings like huts and sheds.
Card model kits
Card kits are mostly used for buildings, although bridges,
platforms, and machinery are also available. In the UK there
are two main suppliers: Metcalfe and Superquick. Of these,
the Metcalfe range are -- in my opinion -- more realistic,
but more expensive, although neither will break the bank.
Although card models cannot compete with scratch-built
buildings for realism, they don't look bad, in my
opinion. The photo below shows a selection of
Metcalfe and Superquick buildings.
There isn't really much to say about assembling
card models: the instructions are usually fairly clear, so if you can read
and hold a tube of glue that's all there is too it.
Etched metal kits
Etched metal kits are good for small, finely-detailed
structures: lifting machinery, lamp posts, bicycles, etc.
They are available for larger buildings as well,
along with rolling stock and locomotives, but in my opinion
these don't work as well.
Metal kits are usually supplied unfinished, so will need
painting. Two or three coats of enamel usually do the
trick. However, painting the small kits can be a
real chore. The telephone box shown below is less than
an inch high, and is supplied as about twenty parts which
need to be individually painted.
Plastic kits
Plastic kits are usually used for industrial machinery,
although ordinary buildings are also available. They
usually need painting.
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