Design Preservation Model Garage HO Scale

[TerryB]

My son was at a train show before Christmas and found some ho building kits by a company called Design Preservation Models.  They were apparently an independent maker when my kits were made, now I find they are part of the Walthers model train supply operation.  
The kit I built was unique in a few ways, the edges of each casting are tapered so you have to square up the edges before gluing.  No reference or alignment details are included on the molded pieces to help place joined parts together.  You have to hold them “just right” to get decent fit.  I made some jigs to do that task for attaching walls to end pieces.  Two plastic roof pieces had to be first fitted to the assembled building to get the correct length and then held in alignment to glue the pieces together. Again I build a jig to glue them.  Finally I did paint the building with my craft grade paint and I used 1000 grit wet / dry sandpaper to cover the roof to get a more realistic look.

So here is the end result.  I did not take many pictures during the assembly process as I was too busy making gluing jigs😀.

 

 

Edited March 31 by TerryB (see edit history)

[RansomEli]

Really nice work. Somehow, old cars and Lionel/HO trains go together.

 

Show us some pics of your gluing jigs. They could help me and other klutzes.

[Jim Bollman]

I always like the old garages with that extra facade.  Never figured out what the purpose was.  There was one in the town next door where we use to live, I did some pre photoshop image editing to make a brass plate for some trophies back in the early 80s.

[Matt Harwood]

I have some interest in miniature modeling and thought about getting back into electric trains like when I was a kid. Then I saw this guy's work and decided that's what I wanted. I also realized I'd never be able to duplicate it and that it would be endlessly frustrating for me. So I won't be doing model trains after all. Hats off to you guys who do such awesome work. 

 

 

[TerryB]

No need for most of us to achieve that kind of detail but it is sure nice to see.  I started trying to make model scenery at age 70 after watching a fellow making scenery for a Christmas train layout at my local library.  I asked him a few questions about his work and materials he used.  I month later I gave it my first shot, using 1/64 scale instead of ho’s 1/87 scale.  The slightly bigger scale was a little easier to handle and I had mostly 1/64 cars and trucks in my collection.  It can be fun for a beginner if you first realize you won’t be perfect and the only one you have to please is you.  Recently I did a few things in 1/87 scale but I did concede to using some model kits to get there.

This recently built garage is HO as is this diorama of a local trolley line that ran until 1948.  It’s a slow go at times, waiting for paint or glue to dry is usually the slowdown coupled to waiting for inspiration to hit.  I am poor at planning out on paper what I want to do.

 

[TerryB]

On 4/4/2024 at 9:04 AM, RansomEli said:

Really nice work. Somehow, old cars and Lionel/HO trains go together.

 

Show us some pics of your gluing jigs. They could help me and other klutzes.

Well…maybe jig is too strong of a term.  One thing I recently bought was an OLFA cutting mat.  Seems everyone on YouTube that makes models uses something like this.  Mine is 18”x24” and cost $25 at a local store that sells craft and sewing supplies.  The mat has lots of grids and measurement markings and is made for those who make clothing.  It works out well for staging parts to be cut and/or glued.  I have two small heavy steel blocks that I use to either position or hold pieces when I’m gluing.  The wooden and metal rulers add some straight edge references too.  I usually hold them to the mat with masking tape.  The mat has a surface that is smooth without being too slippery.  Add in a selection of glues with superglues  for fast drying, model cements in liquid and tube and an assortment of slower drying glue and your ready to go!