What do you do when there are no suitable buildings available as kits or ‘ready to plant’? DAN EVASON shows that making your own structure can be simple and provide a unique aspect to a layout.
The range of ‘ready to plant’ buildings in ‘OO’ gauge (and to a lesser extent ‘N’ gauge) means it is easier than ever to build a great scene even if you’re not confident of your kit-building skills. However, while the ranges are constantly growing, they don’t cover every need.
I was looking for a barn for a forthcoming project and there was nothing suitable off-the-shelf which could be adapted. “No problem,” I thought: “There’s bound to be a kit which can be modified”. Hours later, having exhausted all of the possibilities, I was left with no option but to build the barn from scratch.
Above: Dan Evason scratchbuilt this super 4mm scale barn using readily available materials for his latest scenic modelling project.
I had a small selection of photographs of a particular prototype and I started planning how I could replicate the structure to best effect. It would incorporate stonework, timber, steel and even iron sheeting, but by using a range of embossed plastic sheeting, along with some balsa wood and a few small detailing parts, I manage…
