Caboose Hobbies: Hot News From The Owner

	Home » Catalog	My Account \| Cart Contents \| Checkout

Caboose Hobbies Train Tips

"Where did the scales come from?"
A whimsical look at track width. Some think this is were it all began. What do you think?

Step 1
Step 1 is our first newsletter for the beginner.

Step 2
"Our book recommendations" Difference between the scales

"Basic Tools"
A description of some of the basic tools you might need to enjoy Model Railroading!

"Evergreen Trees"
How to make Large Evergreen Trees in your scale.

"Kit Bashed Structures"
Just what is a 'kit bash'? Is it painful? No, just click here to find out how to make structures that the kit makers didn't have in mind!

Kit-Bashing Structures
by Ken Smith

Recently, I was working on building an engine house for our On30 modular group. Yes it's a bit of a stretch but anything bigger than HO is large scale to me. At any rate, I took a new engine house from Boulder Valley Models for the On30 Porter and used two kits to transform it into a engine shed for my On30 Shay. (More on that story later) Since there are a limited amount of kits available in large scale, I am constantly kit bashing or scratch building. Over the years, it has become almost second nature to me. What became refreshing was to see its "re-birth" in a different scale. It was then when I realized that there might be a few modelers that don't know that there is potential in any kit. All it takes is a little patience and a smidgen of creativity.

For instance, did you ever want a two-story train station instead of the one story building that was available? Or take an old boxcar and make it into a line-side shed? Perhaps an old passenger car converted into a roadside diner? What about making that freight station twice as long? Believe it or not, you have the power to create those one of a kind structures that provides all the character you need to make your railroad unique to you.

Good examples of kits that can be kit bashed are Venango Valley Models. These structures are a cast stonework building made of a product called hydrostone. These kits have simple lines and walls that are easily joined together with the hydrostone mix that they provide. Venango Valley Models also produces an excellent finishing kit that hides any new joints that you make. They also look as good outside as they do inside.

How about just a simple alteration on a roof? Glue some 600 grit wet-dry sandpaper onto the existing roof for a rolled tar paper roof look. Paint it with Floquil Grimy black and stain it with some chalks using the method I wrote about in the last issue.

What about adding different exterior siding? You could veneer some different siding from Precision Products onto the existing shell. Simply trace the shell on the backside and cut along your tracing. A little glue and presto!

Next you could add some Grant Line windows and shutters. Finish it with a different coat of paint and the kit could sit side by side to the original and would look great!

So what's stopping you? Go get that broken boxcar and do a little bashing!

500 South Broadway
Denver, Colorado, USA, 80209-4002
Hours: Mon-Fri: 10:00 - 6:00PM, Sat: 9AM - 5PM, Sun: 11:00AM - 5:00PM
Phone: (303)777-6766 - Fax: (303)777-0028 - Toll-Free(Orders Only): (800)886-1813
Email: information@caboosehobbies.com