Modular Model Railroads

Cardstock models are ideal for quickly populating a new layout or module, or building low relief buildings for background and backdrop applications.

 Illinois Historic Preservation Society – has over a dozen free historic buildings that may be printed and assembled.  A must see resource.

The following are commercial, paid products, but all offer some free downloads.

ScaleScenes –  “download and print realistic model railway kits from your PC now!”

CleverModels – “craftsman card models and high resolution texture sheets”

PaperCreek – sells laser cut paper craftsman kits for structures and textures.

ModelBuilder – “”Use our building software to inexpensively add hundreds of paper buildings to your layout. Print realistic buildings or backdrops for your model train layout.” USD: $45, OS: WinXP.

YouTube has a nice series of 9 videos by Evert or “thebige61″ on making scenery using extruded foam (pink or blue).  The videos are very thorough and well done.  They cover everything from tool selection to completion of the scenery with dirt and grass.  Highly recommended. Read the rest of this entry »

There are many types of foam used by modelers in constructing model railroad scenery, layouts and baseboards. 

• Extruded polystyrene is pink if Corning or blue if Dow. 
• Expanded polystyrene a white foam board made up of small beads.
• Spray Polyurethane is available in disposable spray cans and as two part liquid.
• Foam rubber can be used for foam rocks or scenicing materials.

When selecting a material for building, the modeler should give careful consideration to the flamability of the product.  Read the rest of this entry »

The Silver Creek Reconstruction is a thread on All-Model-Railroading.co.uk by user SimonC documenting the construction and finishing of his On30 Silver Creek layout in 29 days.  The layout is 18 ft. 3 in. by 7 ft. 3 in and built if layers of extruded foam edge with lightweight plywood and “Bendy MDF“.  The roadbed is made of cork over luaun plywood glued to the foam.  The layout uses tortise switch machines that are attached to the plywood roadbed for each of the switches and then recessed into the foam. Read the rest of this entry »