structure plans

[Anonymous]

Anybody know where to find plans to build some HO structures. I want to try some balsa construction but found very quickly that I don't have the "whatever it takes" to design and build them from scratch without some sort of plan in front of me.

[orsonroy]

Your absolute best bet is to start digging through old model railroad magazines. I've searched online and have come up with bumpus. My favorite magazines are Model Railroader, Model Rail Craftsman, and Mainline Modeler. Each has published thousands of plans over the decades, so they're well wort a look. And remember, virtually all plans are published in "real" feet and inches, so it doesn't matter if the plan itself is printed in Z or F scales; just convert the real measurements into HO scale (you DO have a scale rule, right?) and you'll soon find more plans than you can shake a stick at.

[jrbarney]

Bobchuck,
Your query didn't state what kind of structures or what era, but you might want to look at what Dover Publications has to offer:
http://store.doverpublications.com
Go to Subject, then Children, then Cut & Assemble. Their cardstock structures are in HO scale so no conversion is required for the most part. By adding three dimensional trim, shingles, windows, etc. you can make the models your own. If you have a layout, you can photocopy the cardstock for plans and then build the cardstock model as a mockup for space and location. Don't know the Canadian prices and availability.
If you're interested in contemporary farm structures, try:
http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/plans
These plans you will have to rescale.
If they are available and within budget, I would suggest styrene and basswood rather than balsa. They're both easier to fini***han balsa.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[cwclark]

Kit bashing may be the way to go...Kalmbach publishers has books on kitbashing...kitbashing is taking different building kits and creating one structure from the different kits...Chuck[:D]

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the help folks. I knew there was a reason I kept hanging around here. [:D]

[Anonymous]

Another approach is to take phots and use a copier to scale them up to the right size (Z, N, HO, or O) and then use the copy as your template.