Category Description: Buildings found inside towns and cities.
A Full Size Structure From a Toy Car Diorama
NASG Dispatch 2010-02 pg. 18 Scale: S Author: Jerry Schnur
Using a Motormax toy diorama for parts, the author built a nice-looking model of a gas/service station.
Alvard's Landing
Narrow Gauge And Short Line Gazette 2007-01/02 pg. 50 Scale: HO Author: Robert D. Bailey
Scale drawings of a multi-purpose whistle stop.
An HO Scale Victorian Building McHugh and Bianchi
Narrow Gauge And Short Line Gazette 2008-09/10 pg. 80 Scale: Author: Jim Vail
The author describes how he built this structure based on the building in downtown Santa Cruz, California.
Another Motormax Diorama Conversion
NASG Dispatch 2010-06 pg. 15 Scale: S Author: Jerry Schnur
Mel's Diner by Motormax was supplemented by a pair of American Flyer New Haven coaches kitbashed into a dining facility.
Another Motormax Diorama Conversion
NASG Dispatch 2010-12 pg. 18 Scale: S Author: Jerry Schnur
The author added walls and a roof to a flat front to kitbash a 3D building.
Build a Modern Block of Stores
Model Railroader 1978-02 pg. 108 Scale: HO Author: Walter R. Olsen
The author shows how he built a strip-center style of structure which houses several individual stores. Includes construction and final installation photos.
Build a Small Gas Station
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-05 pg. 82 Scale: O Author: Peter Barney
This small gas station was very common before the era of freeways and can still be found even today. Includes a prototype photo, model photos, and a scale drawing.
Building a Fire Station
Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-01 pg. 59 Scale: O Author: Bob Bennett
Prototype photos of various small-town fire stations accompany this article that describes the construction of this 40 x 26 foot, 27 foot tall building. A materials list is also included.
Crosby's Bandstand
Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-11 pg. 32 Scale: HO Author: E.L. Moore
A model of the bandstand, typically found in the center of a small town, was scratchbuilt by the author. He built four of them and described how he modified his construction techniques to improve the models. Includes model photos, scale drawings, parts list, and some construction photos.
E.L. Moore's Village Store
Model Railroader 1978-01 pg. 58 Scale: HO Author: E.L. Moore
The author took a drawing off of the back of a magazine to build this structure. The article describes how he built it in great detail. Includes model photos and several scale drawings.
Jones' Garage
Railroad Model Craftsman 1996-03 pg. 88 Scale: (none) Author: Thomas A. Yorke
Scale drawings and prototype photos accompany this article about a small gas station built in 1926 in Mountain City, Georgia.
Keveny Memorial Academy
Railroad Model Craftsman 2007-01 pg. 56 Scale: HO Author: Bill Gill
The author describes how he built a compressed scale replica of this building found in Cohoes. Includes one finished model photo and two prototype photos.
Kitbash the Offices of The Sun
Model Railroader 1991-01 pg. 128 Scale: HO Author: Harvey J. Simon
The author describes how he built an accurate model of the structure found in Lowell, Mass. It is ten stories tall and has a wonderful external fire-escape staircase, which he modeled. Includes prototype, model, and construction photos.
Kitbashing Chief Petroleum
Model Railroader 1999-11 pg. 104 Scale: HO Author: Bob Foltz
This article has complete instructions on how to build this structure that has a history of several businesses, including one which required track service.
Kitbashing Doesn't Have to be a Big Deal
Railroad Model Craftsman 1996-02 pg. 74 Scale: HO Author: Roy Stanley
Changing an outside corner of a bank building kit to an inside corner made the model look completely different, yet it was such a small change.
Kitbashing Jim Baker's Service Station
Railroad Model Craftsman 1996-02 pg. 71 Scale: HO Author: Jeff Kersting
Using a Bachmann Texaco gas station, the author created a convincing model of a gas station he passes on his way to work. Includes model and prototype photos and a parts list.
Kitbashing a Newsstand
Railroad Model Craftsman 2009-01 pg. 88 Scale: N Author: Max Magliaro
An unused, odd-shaped space on the author's N-scale layout was a perfect spot for a newsstand made from a B&O passenger shelter kit. Includes construction photos and how he made the magazine covers.
Kitbashing for Beginners
N-Scale 2002-07/08 pg. 59 Scale: N Author: Philip A Scandura, Jr.
This article covers the basics of taking an existing kit and transforming it to a one-of-a-kind structure.
Old Trolley Bodies Need Not Die
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-09 pg. 44 Scale: Large Scale Author: Thomas A. Yorke
The author converted an On30 Bachmann street car to model a converted roadside diner. He also used a trolley body to model a shed.
Ray's Bar
Model Railroader 1985-11 pg. 112 Scale: HO Author: Paul S. White
This fieldstone-covered small structure is made from Strathmore, balsa wood, and commercial doors and window castings. A scale drawing and some construction photos are included.
Sinclair Gas Station, Elberta, Utah
Narrow Gauge And Short Line Gazette 2008-11/12 pg. 82 Scale: Author: John S. Midgley
This article consists of prototype photos and scale drawings.
Small Buildings in Small Towns Part 1
N Scale Railroading 2003-09/10 pg. 48 Scale: (none) Author: Kirk Reddie
Kirk starts a series of photo essays that highlight some of the typical structures found around track that look remarkably similar to DPM structure kits. Photos are from small towns in Iowa and the state of Washington.
Small Buildings in Small Towns Part 2
N Scale Railroading 2003-11/12 pg. 48 Scale: (none) Author: Kirk Reddie
This install covers some over-the-top painted buildings in small towns found in Iowa.
St. Mathew School
Railroad Model Craftsman 1994-01 pg. 78 Scale: Author: Thomas A. Yorke
Using a prototype photo print, the author drew up scale plans (adjusted to fit available Grandt Line windows and doors). Includes the photo and scale drawings.
The Bank on the Corner
Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-11 pg. 70 Scale: HO Author: Walt Muren
Modeled after a real bank on a street corner, this unique structure is sure to draw attention with its patina roof dome.
The Cedar Falls Office, Barber Shop, and Cafe
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-04 pg. 57 Scale: HO Author: John Taylor-Hall
The modeled small wood-frame building has served many purpose since it was built in the 1880's. Includes prototype photos of the Cedar Falls, N.C. structure, as well as scale drawings and finished model photos.
The Ferrellgas Company
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-06 pg. 65 Scale: Author: Harry Bonham
This article describes a propane gas distributor in Lane County, Oregon. It has many, then, modern-day photos, drawings of some of the piping, scale drawings of the building and the tanks, site plan, and modeling suggestions.
The Light at Thatcher's Inlet
Railroad Model Craftsman 1973-09 pg. 36 Scale: HO Author: Dave Frary & Bob Hayden
The lighthouse at Mystic Seaport, CT serves as the role-model for the structure built by the authors. Information about how it was built, along with scale drawings and a prototype photo, are included.
The Wasco Gas Station, Garage, and Grocery
Model Railroader 1978-03 pg. 66 Scale: Author: Elmer Cerny
This combination store was found in Wasco, Illinois. The article includes many scale drawings, including one for the gasoline pumps.
Urban Renewal - Interchangeable Buildings for Your Layout
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-10 pg. 54 Scale: Author: Philip V. Chiavetta, Frank DeBonis
The authors describe how they change a section of the layout by changing out buildings. The idea is to show construction progress, for example, over time, mimicking the real world. The article includes a sidebar on how to make street lights and how to make dirt to fill in the gaps around removable dioramas.
Urban Scenery
Model Railroader 1989-07 pg. 102 Scale: HO Author: Earl Smallshaw
Putting city buildings on a second level above the track can make the city look dense, yet still allow the trains to move on through. The author describes how he makes rounded backdrops, uses mock-ups, builds roads, and the buildings themselves (painting, weathering, roofs, signs, and lighting). Includes a sidebar on how to cut out windows when scratchbuilding a wall.