Designing Buildings for Model Railroads

Contributed by Bill Murphy

Most of us have no desire to become an architect, but most model railroaders wind up getting into the act at one point or another. It's sometimes impossible to find exactly the building you need to complete your layout, leaving you to come up with something on your own.

So what does it take to make your own buildings? And do you need to have some serious carpentry skills or can the average hobbyist manage?

In reality, building your own detailed replica buildings can take some advanced woodworking skills, and the tools to go along with them. But an often easier alternative is the "kitbashing" method -- taking an existing model and using it as the foundation for your own creation, modifying it to suit your own taste.

When kitbashing, you can often get away with some simple tools such as an X-acto knife or scissors, plus a healthy dose of imagination.

Some of the materials you may find useful when making your own buildings include balsa wood, mat board, foam, lightweight plastics and even cardboard.

Corkboard and plaster, gold or silver foil, glitter and spray adhesives can also be helpful. Most of these materials are available relatively inexpensively at your local hobby shop.

Where You Can Find More Ideas

Articles about working with these various materials have been printed in numerous magazines over the years. Your local library or second-hand bookstore can be invaluable for finding these things. And don't limit yourself to model railroading magazines - lots of other hobbies have helpful information about working with these materials that you can apply to your train layout.

Looking for more ideas for building model railroad scenery? Visit TheModelRailroader.com for plenty of helpful information and for a free copy of my report "Model Railroad Design Secrets"

Model Railroading is one of the most creative hobbies!