“Hi Al,

I am back at the hobby after a 3 month medical issue. (I won’t go into it as it will be a very long explanation)

Hope you can use the following.

I purchased an HOn3 Fine Scale Miniatures Rail Car shed from a model railroad club member only to find out that all the card stock templates were missing.

Only the instruction sheet and a photo of it was in the kit. Without these it was not possible to assemble the kit board by board as I would have had to draw templates and guess all the sizes.

So, a search on the internet for said kit came up with two photos of a built up kit them being an HO standard gauge one which did give me an idea of the size and shape for my HOn3 one.

For it to fit on the location on my layout, I had to make a mirror image of it.

I decided to use vertical scribed siding for the outside walls and horizontal scribed siding on the inside walls.

After cutting all the above out in scribed siding and temporary assembled it with my corner magnetic clamps, I was not happy with it.

So back to my scribed siding pile and decided to re build it with interior frame work.

Success and I was happy with the result. I think that I got all the dimensions right using the photos as a reference.

The kit (scratch build) at this stage is only about 60% complete.

Below is a card stock mock-up of the kit guessing the size from photos.

This is the first assembly of the scratch build of which I was not happy with. The height of the walls was incorrect – too low even adding one scale foot (3mm) at the bottom did not help.

Below, using the magnetic corner clamps to keep it together is where I realised the incorrect height at the front entrance doorway.

Static models used as a guide.

An HOn3 railcar (converted galloping goose) that the shed will house for repairs.

Here is the second scratch built one with the vertical siding on the exterior and at the right height. The floor was marked out for the building.

Cutting out the walls. The hardest and time consuming job is cutting out the window openings and making sure that the windows fit the openings.

Bracing the interior walls as per a real building.

This one is a mirror image of the original as it was needed for the correct position on the layout.

The walls glued in place. Doors still need to be glued.

Final assembly of the building. Now to start filling up the interior with all the detail.

Roofs temporary in place to get the feel of the building. They will have shingles on them.

As said above, this is as far as I have gone with the assembly of this mostly scratch built kit.

Till next time – keep modelling.

Brian – the HOn3 guy in Knysna RSA”

Now on to Mark:

“The first 2 shots prior to the installation foam, shot 3,4 prior to painting 5 6,7, adding scenery.

I first opened up the area, cut my wood front support to bring in more light then added the foam used hot glue to join together, used old blades to scratch the foam to look like rock formations.

Used satin house paint along with flat testors gray and rust paints, I did a small creek area for the sheep to drink, used white glue for a base, dried then added light brown paint then while wet added sand and dirt, dried then added scenery water.

Added my sheep and still have other brush and anything you can find outside to add to the area.

Thank You Al for adding this many great looking layouts you display

I run Lionel PW and other brands hope you enjoy God Speed to all!

Mark”

Now on to Dave:

“Hi Al… I have uploaded my Christmas video, I know its early but wanted to get it all done and ready for the festive season, as the saying goes ..better early than Late !!

..enjoyed doing it, have managed to get a little bit of Diddy Dave and Deb in on it, so should make a few smile as well ..all part of the hobby ..having fun and enjoying it all.

All The best to you and Members 

Dave 

A big thanks to Mark, Brian and Dave.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you get started on your layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

PPS HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.