GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW WHEN BUILDING A LASER CUT BUILDING KIT FOR YOUR LAYOUT
This tutorial was published in the January-February 2008 issue of N Scale Magazine.
When I first started building the JJJ&E almost nine years ago, the main structures I used on the layout were Walthers plastic building kits. I built about a half dozen of these kits and soon became disenchanted with the quality of the kits. I found that the directions for assembly of the kits poor and many individual plastic pieces didn't fit properly. Eventually each structure managed to be completed and after weathering, each structure found a place on the JJJ&E.
I then went in another direction and started to build laser cut building structures for the JJJ&E. I have used these laser cut building kits as the main source for buildings on the layout.
Many companies today make quality laser cut building kits in N scale. American Model Builders, Bar Mills, Blair Lines, N Scale Architect and Model Tech Studios are a few of the major players in the laser cut building kit arena. Most of the laser cut buildings on the JJJ&E are from the above companies.
As I completed many of these laser cut building kits I found many things that were common to each of the kits. I then developed a series of guide;ones to use when building these structures. I found that these guidelines could be used for any laser cut building kit.
I'm going to use the American Model Builders Glenwood # 2 Oil Derrick as an example in explaining my guidelines to follow when building a laser cut building kit for your layout. (See Photo 1) This structure has many very fine parts and is an interesting addition to any layout. This building kit is also more reasonably priced than many of the Laser cut building kits in the N scale market.
Photo 1
The most important guideline to follow is to read the instructions very carefully. You should read them to or three times to familiarize and get a full understanding how to put
the kit together. Not following this first guideline will make satisfactory completion of the kit very difficult.
You then must make sure that you have all the parts that are listed in the instruction sheet. You don't want to find out after you started building the kit, that parts are missing or broken. If you do find some parts are missing, contact the manufacturer directly. They will will replace any missing or broken parts if they are notified of the problem.
Next follow the instructions carefully. There is usually a reason for the sequence of instructions when building a laser cut building kit.
Before you start to airbrush any of the laser cut building parts, brace the larger laser cut pieces with small scraps of balsa wood that you may have in your scrap box. I usually save all extra pieces of wood from all the kits that I've built for the JJJ&E. I glue these scrap pieces to the backside of each of the larger pieces with Aileen's wood glue. (Photo 2)
Photo 2
This will help prevent any warping when the laser cut pieces are airbrushed with a primer on both sides.
The Glenwood # 2 Oil Derrick laser cut kit deviates slightly from the last guideline. many of the parts are so fine, that it's impossible to brace the parts with scrap balsa. When it comes time to airbrush these parts with a primer, They must be airbrushed with very light coats of paint..
The laser cut parts are easily airbrushed when the parts are still firmly attached to the parts board. By airbrushing these laser cut pieces on both sides will eliminate most of the warping that might occur after painting.
In the case of the Glenwood Oil Derrick kit, I found that a primer would be suitable for a final color. I used a rust brown as a color for the oil derrick. (See Photo's 3, 4 & 5)
Photo 3
Photo 4
Photo 5
After the prime coat is dry (usually 24-36 hours), you can then airbrush a final coat of paint on the laser cut pieces. Again this second coat of paint must be allowed to dry for anouther 24-36 hours.. In the case of the Glenwood # 2 Oil Derrick, I lightly airbrushed a second primer coat, as this was to be the final coat of paint to tuch up any irregularities found in the first coat.
Now you are ready to build the kit. I use wood glue that sets up fairly rapidly. As I said previously, I use Aileen's wood glue for all my laser cut building kits. There are other wood glue's on the market that also can be used. On rare occasions you could use CA cement, when an immediate bond is required.
After the laser cut building structure is completed, you can touch up the final coat by lightly hand painting any areas that need attention.
At this point, you can now weather your building kit with earth tone washes and/or Bragdon weathering powders. In the case of the Glenwood # 2 Oil Derrick, I lightly brushed the wood floor witha a Rail Tie Brown and black wash. I didn't touch the oil derrick structure itself, as the parts were much too thin and any dry brushing would cause undue warpage. I did add some Bragdon weathering powders to the oil derick structure. ( Photo's 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 ). Woodland Scenic figures were added to the oil derrick to complete the scene.
Photo 6
Photo 7
Photo 8
Photo 9
Photo 10
Next, its time to place your finished building on your layout and add scenic touches near the structures foundation. At this time, the JJJ&E is undergoing a fourth expansion and the Glenwood # 2 Oil Derrick has been placed in a temporary position on the layout. (See Photo 11)
Photo 11
From a different viewing point, the Glenwood # 2 Oil Derrick can be seen in the background of the layout at the far right. It is one of the tallest structures on the JJJ&E. ( Photo 12)
Photo 12
Laser cut building kits take many hours to finish and weather. The first laser cut kit I built for the JJJ&E was the Fish Pier, which has become the signature structure on the JJJ&E. The Fish Pier is near the St. Albans tunnel on the lower level of the layout. It took 14 hours to complete, weather and place the structure on the layout. (See Photo's 13 & 14) The double track mainline of the JJJ&E is seen in the background. Preiser and Woodland Scenic action figures were added to make this structure look more realistic. Adding water around and under the Fish Pier also adds to the realism.
Photo 13
Photo 14
In the main switching yard on the JJJ&E, are a gear factory and a small water tank and sanding station. This are Model Tech Studio kits. They have been completely weathered and in place on the layout. Foundation scnery and foliage haven't yet been added as of this date to completely finish these structures. ( See Photo # 15) Back drop structures can be seen in Photo's 15 and 16 as well.
Photo 15
An ice station and platform is also temporarily in place in the switching yard. This area of the layout is still a work in progress and the backdrop seam has to be hidden by some trees. The ice station and platform is also a very delicate structure and care must be taken in airbrushing this structure. Woodland Scenics figures have also been added to this structure to make it more realistic. (See Photo 16)
Photo 16
The Unitrack in the background in Photo 16 hasn't been completely weathered and ballasted. Ground scenery also has to be added to complete the scene.
More laser cut building structures have also been placed near the mainline on part of the fourth addition to the JJJ&E adjacent to the St. Albans tunnel. The tunnel is behind the stone retaining wall in the background. (See Photo 17)
Photo 17In Photo 18, we see part of the town of San Marino on the upper level of the layout. Laser cut building structures are adjacent to the mainline track. San Marino has a population of 325. The distinctive building with the corrugated metal roof is the Idaho Hotel. That structure was a limited run (250) laser cut building kit. All of these buildings have been weathered and detailed uasing various washes and Bragdon weathering powders. Woodland Scenics action figures have been used to accent the buildings to make them more realistic.
Photo 18
Laser cut building kits are fun to build and weather. They add "character" to a layout as you can see in the structures on the JJJ&E.
Try to build one soon for your layout. You'll be pleasantly surprised with the finished product.
Stay cool and run steam......