When we first get involved in this hobby we come accross the same familiar manufacturers, Atlas, Bachmann, Walthers and all the others that we are all familiar with. As our hobby skills develop many of us find little niches within the hobby that really stimulate our creative juices and interest. For me, structure building has really taken on an important dimension. What quickly becomes apparent is that there are a host of small business that serve the niche segments of the hobby. Many are one-man-bands, perhaps only part-time business' operating out of spare rooms, basements and garages. These small companies add a diversity to the hobby that allows us to create layouts that don't simply have the same Walthers or DPM structures on them.
I am currently building a model from one such small manufacturer. A signal tower by Bollinger Edgerly Scale Trains http://www.besttrains.com/ I started work on this model last week while travelling in California. I decided to take some basic tools with me and work in hotel rooms in the evening.
You can't see it in this picture, but the laser cut windows are on the left of the table. I noticed that some of the mullions were damaged. Now I like a run-down look for some of my structures, but I want this to be a working signal tower. Anyway, I e-mailed Brian at BEST and was delighted to find the replacement parts awaiting my arrival at home at the end of the week. This is one thing I really like about these small business', the owners are proud of what they do and stand behind their product.
Here are a couple of in-progress shots of the model.
So my message to those of you that have not tried, is to take a look at the many small companies that populate this hobby. You may not find them advertising in the larger magazines but they represent a very important part of our hobby and are well worth supporting.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Simon, what a great post. And thanks for the reminder for us to appreciate all the hobby has to offer in the way of encouragement and support, including the hard work of individuals.
I would love to get one of those towers myself. Is this the type of kit that requires about four new blades, some staining, assembly with, say, Ambroid, and then the obligatory phase of just staring at it admiringly?
-Crandell
Thanks Crandell.
Actually, this particular kit requires very little cutting. The parts, including the windows are supplied laser cut in a carrier sheet. There are just a few very thin bits that need to be cut to release the parts from the carrier sheet. The laser cut windows comprise 3 layers that have a peel-off self adhesive layer, so they go together well. For these type of wooden structures, I like to do virtually all my wall prep, painting, weathering etc prior to assembly. Any warping can be taken care of under a pile of phone directories once dry. I like to use Titebond wood trim glue. It has good tack but does not dry too quickly. So it gives plenty of working time to get things nice and square.
I have to say that the assembly on this particular kit is very simple. What I think makes or breaks a kit like this is the preparation that goes into the painting and weathering.