Printable Houses
Lately, I've been researching "alternative" sources of items suitable for model railroads. The hobby can at times be very expensive, and so in this economy, I thought I'd share what I've learned!
I found an interesting set of links not too long ago; About.com has a Miniatures Guide which includes a number of building templates to 1:144 scale that you can save and print.
Some are designed to be miniature doll houses, and are therefore missing their backsides; this is not a problem in our models however if the backside is facing away from the viewer, or is against a backdrop. Check them out, they may be an interesting way to provide temporary or even permanent housing for your scale-sized people!
1:144 Scale (N Scale)
18th Century House
Old-World Shops
Home and Emporium
N Scale Christmas Decorations
Micro Layouts
Can't afford a large layout, like the ones you might see in magazines? I know I can't. My Voltania Railroad in N Scale is only 2 x 3 feet, even smaller than a comparable HO scale 4x8 railroad.
Some people take Micro to a whole new level however. Maybe you don't want to necessarily run trains in circles like I do (I just like watching them go round and round, it's relaxing), but instead want to be able to practice your artistry and use some of your detail parts to take pictures.
carendt.com
carendt.com/scrapbook/page78/index.html
The Grant Trunk Railway originally ran from Portland to Montreal as the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad, straight-through the heart of Maine, where I'm modeling. This page includes a number of aerial photos, drawings, and track plans that could be useful to anyone else modeling this railroad and the surrounding areas.
The page also includes links to other great bits of information:
Some people take Micro to a whole new level however. Maybe you don't want to necessarily run trains in circles like I do (I just like watching them go round and round, it's relaxing), but instead want to be able to practice your artistry and use some of your detail parts to take pictures.
carendt.com
carendt.com/scrapbook/page78/index.html
T-Gauge
Speaking of "micro", did you know that there's a new commercial gauge that's even smaller than Z-Scale? For years, people have been creating layouts and trains on their own that are similarly small (or smaller), but not for resale to other people such as you and I.
A self-proclaimed "early adopter" of the scale has created a very good website for English-speakers interested in the new products from Japanese company Eishendo.
A self-proclaimed "early adopter" of the scale has created a very good website for English-speakers interested in the new products from Japanese company Eishendo.
Gemini Jets
Looking to model an airport, or perhaps just a plane or two on the outskirts of your layout? Perhaps look into Gemini Jets, a company that specializes in fine-scale miniatures of aircraft and airports. The stuff on their website is gorgeous, and almost makes me want to take up modeling airports instead of railroads! Well, almost. But not quite.
Grant Trunk Plans
The Grant Trunk Railway originally ran from Portland to Montreal as the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad, straight-through the heart of Maine, where I'm modeling. This page includes a number of aerial photos, drawings, and track plans that could be useful to anyone else modeling this railroad and the surrounding areas.
The page also includes links to other great bits of information:
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