Buildings - RTP or Kits

Richard @ N'Tastic Scale Models · January 03, 2013, 07:20:48 PM

Last night at club we were discussing whether people were doing modelling any more and preferred RTR Rolling Stock. I have already asked this question for Rolling Stock.

With the Scratch building options if you use products like etched windows and other details vote for "kits and scratch build". With scratch build only as yo make every thing from scratch.

I'll be honest and say that I am asking this to gauge where to spend my time and money in the future. I do feel that the majority are not necessarily interested in kits and prefer RTR / RTP.

I do not want this to descend it to a debate or wish list, please keep it general.

upnick · January 03, 2013, 07:56:37 PM

Hi Richard,

I voted for Kit & Scratchbuilt ................. if i can get a suitable kit fine if not a conversion of a kit or indeeed a scratchbuild using dimensions from a kit, i have done this with some Metcalfe buildings before using plasticard sheeting to replicate them

I tend to enjoy scratchbuilds more as they are one off's in many cases.

Theres lot of plastruct shapes / materials out there to have a go at scratchbuilding.

Oldman · January 03, 2013, 08:16:04 PM

Voted Kit and scratchbuilt .
Most of my structures are either card kits modified in some cases and some wooden laser cut structures.
RTP trackside accessories like sign posts, junk piles etc are the only exception to the above rule but then they are usually unpainted castings.

Sea Mills · January 03, 2013, 09:20:18 PM

I have also gone for kit and scratchbuilt. I realistically need to have access to etchings for windows, glazing and awnings for example, but want to choose which ones to use in which situation. As Upnick has alluded to, the one drawback for me in this option is the dimensions. A scratchbuilding resource that gave access to scale drawings (for non-railway as well as railway buildings) would be great. That would certainly get me building more, using a quality range of components, but my own choice for each building - a sort of pick and mix. Interesting question!

David

bbdave · January 03, 2013, 09:34:53 PM

If i could afford the RTP buildings i would probably have used them but i have used plastic and card kits upto now

Dave

Sprintex · January 03, 2013, 09:44:49 PM

Kit and scratchbuilt here too

Preference is for Metcalfe kits if possible, albeit with quite a bit of detailing. Have a couple of plastic kits, but I wouldn't use a lot of them. I have just one RTP building, and that will be getting some modification before it goes near the layout - can't quite pinpoint why but RTP buildings just never look right to me!

Have so far only built one item from scratch, came out OK but far too labour-intensive to fill a layout in this way - I'd end up in the loony-bin!

Paul

Karhedron · January 03, 2013, 11:14:17 PM

All my buildings are kit built, a mix of Ratio, Peco and Walthers. I have been making plastic model kits for a long time and I enjoy it so RTP does not really interest me. One advantage of painting your own buildings is consistency of finish. You do not have to worry if the shade of brickwork from one RTP manufacturer matches that from another.

I buy RTR rolling stock because sadly I am not nearly as good at the mechanical side as I am at cosmetic work. I am a reasonably dab hand with a paint brush but my one attempt to modify a chassis to take a kit-built body resulted in a dead loco.

One day I will try to work on this but at the moment I stick to buying anything with a motor RTR (although I have put a kit-built body on a chassis that didn't need hacking).

Fratton · January 04, 2013, 04:22:51 AM

I like kit & scratchbuild and i like ready to plonk stuff too,,,,, im currently conduring something up for my station over the weekend,,,,

Chinahand · January 04, 2013, 09:18:27 AM

I voted for 'Kit & Scratch build'. I do have a few RTP buildings but they have been severely 'bashed' to suit my particular needs so they almost count as kits anyway.

Richard @ N'Tastic Scale Models · January 04, 2013, 01:40:48 PM

BUMP interesting so far come on everyone please vote

Rowlie · January 04, 2013, 03:15:15 PM

Hi, I have voted for kit and scratchbuild. It would be nice to see a good range of accessories available (windows etc)

E Pinniger · January 05, 2013, 05:50:40 PM

I started my layout with the intention of scratchbuilding everything (using commercial windows, doors etc.), but have since ended up buying quite a few plastic kits which were particularly suitable, notably the Ratio GWR signalbox and engine shed and the Dornaplas pagoda shelters! The majority of buildings on my layout will still be scratch however, many of them such as SR signalboxes aren't available commercially anyway (to my knowledge).
Not a great fan of card personally due to the lack of relief detail and because I enjoy the challenge of painting and weathering buildings. I do likea lot of of the RTP buildings that are available, but being on a limited budget their very high cost puts me off.

Rabbathehutt · January 05, 2013, 05:58:40 PM

Hi lads just got my first set for xmas
Graham Farish Deltic set
found a site for card scenery but it's 00 gauge
there free can anyone tell me how tae print them for N Gauge?
site is Wordsworth Model Railway

Cherrs Rab

Chinahand · January 05, 2013, 06:07:24 PM

Quote from: Rabbathehutt on January 05, 2013, 05:58:40 PM
there free can anyone tell me how tae print them for N Gauge?
site is Wordsworth Model Railway

Cherrs Rab

If you print them out at 51.35% of full size Rab that will give you N Scale (1:148)

Rabbathehutt · January 05, 2013, 06:18:33 PM

Thanx Trevor
i appreciate your fast answer