Looking for buildings...

[port perran]

Justngauge.co.uk do some cast resin buildings.

[dannyboy]

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. 

[Train Waiting]

[...] 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

[Newportnobby]

If you're that busy I'd like to think you put your brussel sprouts on to boil last week!!

[Nbodger]

@emjaybee 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

[emjaybee]

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.

[AlexanderJesse]

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

[emjaybee]

@Nbodger 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.