Size of buildings

[challenger3802]

My layouts track is down, now I'm starting on the buildings. My question is how do I work out how big a building should be, against real size structures?

My scale is 4mm : 1 foot

Thanks
Ian

[Anonymous]

Your question is a bit confusing. What scale are you modeling?

There is an abundance of building kits for all scales available here in the US and I assume also there in England. You would just buy buildings to match the scale you model.

Doug

[Anonymous]

Ian,

You have answered your own question.... your scale is 4mm:1foot (OO scale, I believe), so a building 10 real feet long would be a model 40mm long.

Andrew

[CNJ831]

Since you are modeling 4mm to the foot, if you are purchasing structure kits then they should, of course, match your scale. However...if we are talking about building your own structures to resemble or represent some prototype you are familiar with, then a compression factor of about 0.7 is about right in most cases. Many prototype structures totally overwhelm trains with their dimensions so modeling them fully to scale doesn't work well. Any large factory building, industrial site structures, or even a complete village, needs to be selectively compressed quite a bit and especially the spacing between structures greatly reduced from scaled-down reality to give acceptible results.

CNJ831

[challenger3802]

QUOTE: Originally posted by masonjar

so a building 10 real feet long would be a model 40mm long.

I worked out that bit, but is there any way of working out a "real" buildings size, without the need for taking an enormous tape measure everywhere with me?

Ian

[Anonymous]

As for measuring an existing building, here are a few methods of doing it. Remember, you don't have to be axact, just be within the ballpark. For example, if you're modeling a factory, whether the building is 200 or 150 feet long, does it REALLY matter? It's more important to get the size of the doors and windows correct. You can also guesstimate the height of overhangs.

Measuring techniques:

For length, pace it off. 3 feet or 1 meter per step. Close enough.

For height, have a person stand by it and visualize in your mind how many people-high the building is. If a person is not convenient, use something else.

Streetlights are typically between 17 and 25 feet high (cobra head lights).

Semi trucks are typically 14 feet tall.

Most pickups are 16 to 20 feet long. Cars range between 12 and 20 feet long. RR freight cars are a know length (I HOPE) to this group.

Good luck!

Mark in Utah