Hi all,
I'm after suggestions. I'm looking for buildings for a small market town/village. Looking at the usual offerings from Metcalfe, Kestrel, etc., they're all well and good, but they're just not 'right'.
I want a few shops and a few dwellings. Sort of pre-1950ish, allows me to cover a few eras. Langley do a couple of small 'parades' of shops, and they look ideal, but they are only low relief. I need backs as well as fronts!
So, has anyone got any alternatives that I'm unaware of?
:thankyousign:
Scenecraft from bachmann farish would look good
Quote from: crewearpley40 on November 14, 2021, 04:58:14 AM
Scenecraft from bachmann farish would look good
Er, no. The only bits that look any use are low relief, so, no use.
Those S&D mouldings were popular for a while, but they're probably like hen's teeth now. I always thought they didn't look much good anyhow.
I'm a lot of help, eh :beers:
Find some 'right looking' images Michael and crack out the plasticard and scratchbuild some, its win win because you get the street you want and everyone including you gets to admire your hard work!!
Sd mouldings are rare as George points out. Maybe https://www.petitepropertiesltd.com/n-gauge.html (https://www.petitepropertiesltd.com/n-gauge.html) craig is right look at wrenton and nbodgers work
I have to admit that scratch building isn't as difficult as people think. It's just like kit building, the difference being that you draw the parts yourself!
@rogerdB (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=6299) of this parish has posted extensively about his superb buildings for Wrenton.
My vote is for scratching as well.
I'm not brilliant at it but have produced some passable (to me anyway) buildings.
I'd say start small and build up. You'll become more proficient as you progress.
Cheers
Martin
Scalescenes?
You know you want to do it, so get them scratch built Michael
Mike H
Quote from: crewearpley40 on November 14, 2021, 08:13:00 AM
Sd mouldings are rare as George points out. Maybe https://www.petitepropertiesltd.com/n-gauge.html (https://www.petitepropertiesltd.com/n-gauge.html) craig is right look at wrenton and nbodgers work
Again, nice as they are, they're mainly low relief.
Quote from: Nbodger on November 14, 2021, 09:13:36 AM
You know you want to do it, so get them scratch built Michael
Mike H
Quote from: port perran on November 14, 2021, 08:53:37 AM
My vote is for scratching as well.
I'm not brilliant at it but have produced some passable (to me anyway) buildings.
I'd say start small and build up. You'll become more proficient as you progress.
Cheers
Martin
Quote from: Bealman on November 14, 2021, 08:17:52 AM
I have to admit that scratch building isn't as difficult as people think. It's just like kit building, the difference being that you draw the parts yourself!
@rogerdB (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=6299) of this parish has posted extensively about his superb buildings for Wrenton.
Quote from: exmouthcraig on November 14, 2021, 08:08:52 AM
Find some 'right looking' images Michael and crack out the plasticard and scratchbuild some, its win win because you get the street you want and everyone including you gets to admire your hard work!!
I hate you guys... :(
I know you're right, but part of my issue is available time. I have a June deadline to meet, two 'townscapes' to build, two railyards to build, other scenickery, along side two businesses to run, horses to look after, cats, elderly parents and elderly aunt-in-law.
So... no pressure!
Okay. So. Hmmm.
Moving on.
Suggestions then for embossed card/plasticard 'stone' sheet suppliers, suppliers of embossed roofing sheets, suppliers of windows, gutters, doors, associated paraphenalia etc..
I seem to work better in plastic than card, so that's kinda where I'd be looking to start.
@emjaybee (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=5604) theres 24hours in a day Micheal!!!
you will still have time to prep Christmas dinner!!!
:smiley-laughing:
Quote from: exmouthcraig on November 14, 2021, 11:44:30 AM
@emjaybee (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=5604) theres 24hours in a day Micheal!!!
you will still have time to prep Christmas dinner!!!
:smiley-laughing:
I haven't got time to eat! Good lord!
Try https://anticsonline.uk/Category/Embossed-Plastic-Sheet_N1723 and scale model scenery and model scenery supplies. Plenty of scratchbuilding aids. Peters spares. We dont know what finish you need eg stone, brick etc plenty of supplies. York company https://yorkmodelrail.com/product-category/n-scale/
Peedie models (AKA model railway features) do some cast resin buildings, both lo relief and full; if scratch building they also do a wide range of etched brass windows and doors, 3D chimneys plus other useful bits from dustbins to phone boxes, railigs and stone walls.
https://modelrailwayfeatures.com/ (https://modelrailwayfeatures.com/)
Other useful bits include white metal bay windows, dormers porches, gate posts etc from Scalelink
https://www.scalelink.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000002.pl?WD=bay%20windows&PN=Scenic___Scale_1_152__N_%2ehtml#aSLC074 (https://www.scalelink.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000002.pl?WD=bay%20windows&PN=Scenic___Scale_1_152__N_%2ehtml#aSLC074)
Slaters for Plasticard.
Justngauge.co.uk do some cast resin buildings.
Most of the scratch built buildings that were on Averingcliffe were made from card and/or Plasticard. I then printed the finish required, be it stone or brick etc., onto self adhesive A4 labels and stuck those onto the card/Plasticard, although embossed sheets are available. Plenty of suggestions above for windows etc. Give it a go - you may surprise yourself. ;)
Quote from: emjaybee on November 14, 2021, 11:40:15 AM
[...] part of my issue is available time. I have a June deadline to meet, two 'townscapes' to build, two railyards to build, other scenickery, along side two businesses to run, horses to look after, cats, elderly parents and elderly aunt-in-law.
So... no pressure!
Okay. So. Hmmm.
Moving on.
Suggestions then for embossed card/plasticard 'stone' sheet suppliers, suppliers of embossed roofing sheets, suppliers of windows, gutters, doors, associated paraphenalia etc..
I seem to work better in plastic than card, so that's kinda where I'd be looking to start.
Given your short timescale and very heavy commitments, would it be possible to use some quick-to-build structures now and then replace them gradually with your ideal buildings as time permits? If you are happier working in plastic, the cheap Kestrel range might provide a temporary solution. You mentioned earlier that these are not what you really want, but they might work as a stop-gap. There is a fair amount of standardisation in the range, which allows for easy cross-kitting to provide a bit more variety.
I have used a good few of these kits on
Poppingham, mostly as standard, but a couple modified and I found them to be quick and easy to build. I painted them in the style of Brian Cook, which gave me the idealised appearance I wanted, but, with a different paint finish, they could look realistic. For my layout, the 'GMKD 37' 'Farmhouse' kit became 'The Crown' old English inn, painted in the style of one of Brian Cook's book jackets.
However you decide to proceed, I wish you all the very best and look forward to seeing your buildings in due course.
All good wishes
John
If you're that busy I'd like to think you put your brussel sprouts on to boil last week!!
@emjaybee (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=5604) Michael as it's Sunday I thought I would use your proper name. Joking apart I am trying to be serious and help you here, as I seem to be part of the problem.
When building Hillsdens buildings I reckoned it took me around 50 hours per small building, not sure exactly how long, on these structures there are no bought in Products other than the plastikard eg all windows and doors were scratch built. Today there are many off the shelf products to assist in the detailing.
If you were to built the shell out of plastikard complete with relevant openings, that would be relatively quick, as to external finishes, obviously varies brick papers etc available, if you wish to use embossed plastikard fixed to the shell, then this is more work cutting out openings, chamfering corners and of course painting and weathering.
Doors and windows can be bought in from say York Model Rail (personally not used them)
Roof coverings again various papers available, also York Model Rail do a stick on slate finish, which will give some proper texture.
There are other textured finishes available by redutex which I believe are self adhesive.
The likes of smart models do various 3D items like chimney pots etc.
Smart models also do kits, which you can purchase the basic shell only or full kit, limited types but may suit with some adaptions again not used them, also Petite Properties do some kits but generally low relief although some adaptions may help.
I seriously believe you will only get what you require by scratch building, even the downloadable kits from scalescenes can be very fiddly and time consuming, I certainly found it easier to scratch build than build them, others may differ.
You have seen Hillsden building by Zoom and the one thing I believe you commented on, that the buildings are various shapes where required to fit the space available, this can only be done by building them yourself.
Hope you find this constructive, any information you need to help scratch build the just PM me and will hopefully be able to help, no I am not building for you, not enough hours in a retirees day
Good Luck
Mike H
Quote from: Newportnobby on November 14, 2021, 03:07:08 PM
If you're that busy I'd like to think you put your brussel sprouts on to boil last week!!
Last week!? I don't want my 2022 sprouts slightly overdone y'know.
This years, however, will be coming out of the pan this week, allowed to cool slightly, before the obligatory tenderising with a steak Mallet for 10 minutes, before going back on to boil in time for this year.
Last week! Honestly Mick, I realise you're not cordon bleu, but blimey, get a cook book.
:doh:
https://www.n-scenic.co.uk/collections/n-gauge-buildings-and-structures (https://www.n-scenic.co.uk/collections/n-gauge-buildings-and-structures)
Or venture into ebay to search for second hand stuff. Maybe as a base for some bashing... or as placeholders
@Nbodger (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=8543) Evening Mike,
Thanks for the comprehensive list. I suspect very much that you are correct in that scratch/bashing is the solution. I think I'll get a couple of kits, see if I can get a feel for what I can/can't do and what doors/windows etc will work and what they're like.
I've got a comprehensive list of suppliers from this thread, so it'll be wading through them and seeing what's what.
M.