Structure dock height vs. Box car floor height

[Anonymous]

Being relatively new to model railroading, I am building my first small structure/diorama to break into a layout one step at a time (and also because I don't have room for one).

I am building the Cornerstone Freight House and I want to mount the freight house and some track next to the loading dock. I find that to make the dock level with the box car floor I have to raise everything (building, dock) above the track which requires putting some sort of 'shim' under the whole scene.

So my question is . . am I being to fusy about this (height difference _ especially in N scale)? And even if the answer to that is yes and I forget about that, what material is best to mount the structure to so I can paint on concrete, driveways, etc?

Bill
San Jose, CA

[Anonymous]

Being relatively new to model railroading, I am building my first small structure/diorama to break into a layout one step at a time (and also because I don't have room for one).

I am building the Cornerstone Freight House and I want to mount the freight house and some track next to the loading dock. I find that to make the dock level with the box car floor I have to raise everything (building, dock) above the track which requires putting some sort of 'shim' under the whole scene.

So my question is . . am I being to fusy about this (height difference _ especially in N scale)? And even if the answer to that is yes and I forget about that, what material is best to mount the structure to so I can paint on concrete, driveways, etc?

Bill
San Jose, CA

[WEUSANDCORR]

no you are not being fussy.you need to be reasonably level. forklift entry and you dont want people stepping up or down 3ft etc I use card stock , Styrene sheet even bits of fibro board if necessary depending on how high or lowI need to go. The last couple i made, I casted up a plaster base the same shape as the buiding in situ to look like it was on a concrete foundation looks effective with hill sloping down from siding . Also allowed under building access for trucks etc I model in HO but same things still apply

[WEUSANDCORR]

no you are not being fussy.you need to be reasonably level. forklift entry and you dont want people stepping up or down 3ft etc I use card stock , Styrene sheet even bits of fibro board if necessary depending on how high or lowI need to go. The last couple i made, I casted up a plaster base the same shape as the buiding in situ to look like it was on a concrete foundation looks effective with hill sloping down from siding . Also allowed under building access for trucks etc I model in HO but same things still apply

[fischey]

Originally posted by wdye828

Being relatively new to model railroading,

Like other response, not being fussy. Recommend you lay-in all your buildings. But freight houses and stations need special attention. Wood, strathmore, foam, they all work.

Back to werk....

• Reply