Page 18 - NMRA Roundhouse May-June 2019

established structure producers, DPM and Downtown Deco kits.
Photo 10: Repainted and detailed children’s toy building repurposed as an On30 warehouse. In front a Tamiya 1/48th bulldozer backdated with a beam operated dozer blade and an On30 baggage cart with a very cheap imported seated figure that has been repainted.
Laser etched models are produced by a multitude of companies: Banta Models, American Model Builders, Bar Mills, Branchline Trains, BTS, GC Laser, JV Models, Railroad Line Models, Mount Blue Model Co and Mt. Albert.
Photo 12: The frontage of the feed mill kit propped up in place to show the size of the structure on an OTT module siding. The locomotive has an aftermarket etched wooden cab.
Just as in the UK there are downloadable card models that are great for backdrops etc and the better kits work well even as stand alone buildings. Clever Models are one supplier. British suppliers like Petite Properties do a range of laser etched 1/48th scale models. Most of the larger structures are a bit too British but a browse through the smaller models will produce lots of small structures.
Photo 13: British Petite Properties etched 1/48th garden buildings with after-market roofing and interiors. The work shop in the centre is fitted out with tools from sets of 1:48th tools for military modellers and a Tamiya tank maintenance set
On30 is an ideal scale for scratch building, and the materials needed are often available as home products not needing American imports. The On30 Annual usually has some scale plans included as does the Narrow Gauge and Short Line gazette. There are two excellent books produced by Model Railroad Hobbyist on wooden and stone or masonry buildings with plans available in print or as downloads. The publishers of the On30 Annual also produce two books on scratch-building structures.
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT TIME:
• Some Scratch-building Scenes;
• Figures, Scenic Accessories and Vehicles
• Potential Operations;
• Dead Rail; and
• Reference Sources
Photo 11: Laser-etched bunkhouse with interior
Just go on the Walthers website and search for O scale structures. There are hundreds of options, though sadly few are directly available in the UK. It’s a good job you don’t need many, for example an ATLAS O scale feed mill/Farm supply building is 13” x 9” (33 x 23cm). Allowing for a rail line down one side, a yard round the mill big enough for trucks, cars, waggons, goods and an access road and there isn’t a lot left of a metre-long module.
18 ROUNDHOUSE - June 2019