Miniature Buildings

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In praise of 1/43rd scale

1/43rd is the scale that matches O gauge trains. At least in the UK. And where there are model railways there are miniature buildings. But O gauge is a bit big for most modern lifesyles and it's a minority interest. I'm not aware of many people offering buildings in this scale though I have no doubt they are out there.

It is also a popular scale for model cars and there are several garage and workshop models offered as backdrops for vehicle display.

Downloaded card models can of course be rescaled. Scalescenes advise to rescale their OO models to 176% for UK 1/43 and to 158% for International 1/48. With some adjustments to card thickness to cater for the thicker walls required. You might need a bigger printer though.

One company offering UK style buildings in 1/43 is the Indian company Sam Toys under the CityBuilder brand. They are available in the UK through WJvintage and on Amazon.

Despite the use of a model railway scale the products are offered as stand-alone toys. Sam Toys say "The CityBuilder is a wonderful way to start constructing simple structures and gradually expand to build more complex ones. An ideal educational toy for home, playgroups and school, The CityBuilder takes model making fun to a new height."   I like the idea of our hobby taking fun to new heights.

Two offerings from the CityBuilder range

S&D models (better known for their Phoenix metal figures)offer a range of components for 1/43 buildings - chimney pots,tiles, guttering and the like.

Scale Model Scenery also have railway focused accessories in 1/43, such as fences, noticeboards and drains plus one 'low relief' building. A rather nice 1930's factory building.

As always, e-mail Miniature Buildings at MiniatureBuildingSite@gmail.com if you have something to add.  Comments, criticisms, errors you have spotted, extra thoughts, pictures, or even complete articles for inclusion in the Miniature Buildings site are all welcome.  Or if you would like to be added to my mailing list to hear when a new article is published.

David
Last updated September 2022

www.grandadstoys.fsnet.co.uk/ 24thhouse.htm

Windows and doors in this scale are produced by Houseworks (US) - wooden , Precision Products (US) - plastic, Garden Railway Specialists of Princes Risborough (UK), Model Building Supplies (Canada) .

Until recently another source of good quality plastic components was Grandt Line but they have been taken over by The San Juan Model Co and it is as yet unclear if the architectural range has survived. I still have a small stock from my abortive venture many years ago into what we then knew as 'mail order'. (US) -plastic , 

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Precision Products windows      Grandt Line doors

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Embossed or moulded sheets for walling, flooring etc are produced by Model Building Supplies (Canada)      Pola have a couple of stone pattern sheets.    American manufacturer Stoneworks who offer real stone pieces and a range of reusable formwork and casting masters for u  ----  casting master sheets (Precision Products), 15" x 15" x .025 styrene plastic sheets are reusable.

"Real" bricks and tiles are produced by Richard Stacey (UK)

UK Stockists of some or all of these products include 

 Garden Railway Specialists of Princes Risborough,  http://www.grsuk.com. for Freelance,

 Scalestreet (web only) who can supply in the UK many of the Canadian company MBS's embossed sheet products,

http://www.ontrackscart.co.uk/faller/faller_mainindex.html

UK Garden Railways    www.ukgardenrailways.co.uk(web only) for Pola buildings , 

If you are based in North America, mainland Europe or elsewhere and know of good sources in your patch , or know of other suppliers or outlets in the UK, do let us know and we will add your information. [ editor@MiniatureBuilder.co.uk ]

As always, e-mail Miniature Buildings at MiniatureBuildingSite@gmail.com if you have something to add.  Comments, criticisms, errors you have spotted, extra thoughts, pictures, or even complete articles for inclusion in the Miniature Buildings site are all welcome.  Or if you would like to be added to my mailing list to hear when a new article is published.

www.charlesro.com   - huge US railway retail site

Further reading:

Nesbit

How to Model in Stone & Cement:
"A complete modeling handbook, that includes creating detailed, all-weather models using Casting Masters,cement and natural stone. 2 Plans for modeling
• Stone & Cement chimney House
• Stone Tunnel Portal,
Plus 10 Modeling Tips,
and 3 Advanced Construction Technique