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Using N scale for your
model train layout allows you to depict large scale areas in a small space. N
scale allows you add everything in your layout from a single building to a
small town or a village. While you can find many readymade buildings that you
can simply prop in your model, getting the perfect look for your scenery may
require you to make the N gauge buildings from
scratch.
Constructing the building
your self will allow you to be creative and imaginative. Building from scratch
means that you can make anything from a skyscraper to an old mansion depending
on the scene that you are trying to create.
Following are some of the
steps that you can follow in order to build an N gauge building from
scratch:
Step 1
Find images on the internet
and in railroading magazines that you wish to construct.
Step 2
Once you have the picture
of the scenery that you want to create, take a piece of paper and make two
scaled drawings. To scale the building according to N scale, use a conversion
scale. For example for every 13 feet, 4 inches of the real building, add 1
inch to your drawing.
In the first drawing only
draw the shapes of the surfaces. You can use the first drawing as a template to
create the basic structure of your building. Use the second drawing to add
details in your structure.
Step 3
Once you have created the
template for the building structure, it is time to gather materials required to
build it. To give your buildings a realistic look you can purchase supplies
made from styrene which looks like commonly used construction material such as
concrete and brick. Other materials that are commonly used to construct
buildings are balsa, cardstock, and foam core (or core flute) sheets. You can
use these supplies to give the desired shape to your buildings from rooftops,
to walls.
Harder materials can be
used to add detailing in your buildings such as windows and
doors.
Step 4
Use the drawing that you
made, to cut the body of the building that you want to make. Use the
measurements from your drawing to cut out the shapes from the sheets that you
are using. Use a hobby knife to cut the sheets. Clean the edges of the sheet
with the help of the sand paper.
Step 5
Glue the pieces together.
Before leaving the pieces to dry, hold the pieces together and allow them to
sit for a minute. Keep the N gauge building overnight and allow the glue to dry
completely before you start the next step.
Step 6
Since N scale is one of the
smallest scales, N gauge buildings will need less realism to express
the image of the building. You can add more details to larger structures such
as multistory buildings.
You can cut pieces from the sheet to add details to your building. Allow all
the additions to dry overnight before you move on to the next
step.
Step 7
Use acrylic paints to mimic
the look of the real structure. Start by applying a coat of primer to help the
paints stick on to the structure. Allow the base to dry for at least two hours
before you apply another coat of paint.
Use different sizes of
brush to add details in your N scale building. Keep the building overnight to
dry and add weathering effects to make it look like it has been exposed to
elements like the real structure.
Step 9
After you have added the
weathering effects, apply matte clear coat to your model
to protect the layers of paint. Allow the paints and the clear coat to rest
for 24 hours so that the paints dry completely.
These are the simple steps
that you can follow to build, close to life N gauge buildings for your model
train layout.
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