An Introduction to Scratchbuilding Structures - From NMRAx

I was fortunate enough to be included in the NMRAx program during out Covid 19 shutdown. Here is a video that was recorded of me giving a live clinic on scratchbuilding. The video quality was limited due to a connection failure, but the information is still good. As always, email me if you have questions at scottgperry@comporium.net.  Enjoy!

A Better Way to Buy Styrene Plastic for Scratchbuilding!

 

I've told many Model Railroaders about this, but almost none ever sctually do it. If you scratchbuild in styrene you are better off to buy your stock at a plastic wholesale company instead of the hobby shops or online stores.

An Evergreen 0.04 thick sheet pack has two sheets of 12"x6" totalling one square foot of plastic. That's $4.39 per square foot. Plastruct is $8.35 for 0.040 thick sheet pack has four sheets of 12" x 7" styrene for 2.33 square feet. That's $3.58 per square foot.

Today I got my shipment from Piedmont Plastics. I got 136 sq ft of a mix of 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 1/16" (0.0624) and 1/8" (0.125) thickness in either 2'x4' sheets or 2'x2' sheets, along with a couple of 1'x2' sheets (you pick the size and color!). 27 pounds of high impact styrene, smooth face. It arrived wrapped and carefully packed in a large corrugate carton.

Cost was $175.48 and free shipping vs Evergreen 132 packs at $4.39(not including shipping) = $587.04. Plastruct would be 57 packs at $8.35 (and no shipping) for $475.95 for savings of $300.47.

With a savings of $421.56, or about $1.29 per square foot or $300.47, at about $2.02 per square foot from Plastruct, you can save quite a large sum

. Not mention that if you are building large, modern buildings the big sheeets are much better to use! My order was delivered in 3 days....so order on line at www.piedmontplastics.com

Mack Gasoline Electric Locomotive Model BR 15 Ton Gordon GA - Narrow Gauge 3 foot

What a find! I was on a railfanning trip in central Georgia when Pat Turner and I found this sweet little engine! Its a gas electric made by Mack. This is a three foot narrow gauge engine used for mining kaolin clay. Perfect for an On30 model critter! Here are my detail shots. There is an odd pipe in the cab that is not on the drawings. Something was attached to it but was cut off with a welding torch. Have no idea what it was. The photos are high density, so click on them for full size. Enjoy!  And go build on in On30!