your portal to more fun in scale model railroading
your portal to more fun in scale model railroading
Note: This is not a 'How To', but a display of a completed 'Scratchbuilt Project' showing what can be done with some materials and time. It does not have to have been judged for AP Points.
Click on small image for the full image
June 24, 2004
Sometimes it's just right. You need a certain structure and the only way to get it is to shell out big bucks for a laser cut kit or even an FSM craftsman kit. Another choice is a cheap look, an already built lit that looks just like everyone else's kit, or⦠you can scratchbuild. Since my money is already earmarked for sound units (lots of sound units), I elect to dive into the goodie box and my pile of cut strip wood and build it myself.
Scratchbuilding is one of the best ways to stretch your model railroad dollar. Nothing in this hobby has brought me more pride and satisfaction than telling someone that I built it from scratch. You can do it, too, just start small and simple and them move up to larger projects.
The &qEagle Fish Camp" idea came from a picture that I saw in a Model Railroader from the mid 80s. With just a little planning, the same type of structure became a focal point in Greensprings WV, a small town on my Shadowton Ridge North Railroad.
As I was building this structure, more and more ideas kept popping up and the name was one of them. So I had to find an eagle for the peak. The costume jewelry department at Hobby Lobby held the answer. It started as a little humming bird. I changed the beak with a file and added the eagle paint job.
Almost everything on the structure is scratchbuilt. Only the window castings and the eagle were not. I used basic materials, wood, paper, plaster, fabric, aluminum foil, sandpaper, masking tape and brass tubing. Everything was low cost or free giving me an estimated cost of about $6.00 and my time. Looks like I can afford another sound unit!
Well, that's about it. You know that one of the best things of all about scratchbuilding is that my structure is a one-of-a-kind, the only one like it. Who knows, there could be a one-of-a-kind structure on your layout and all you have to do is scratchbuild it. Have fun!
Matt Hewitt
To see more of Matt's work, and visit his Shadowton Ridge North RR. Click Here.