Here is an opportunity for the experienced modellers among us to offer some advice to those who are just starting out and planning of their brand new layout.
When it comes to buildings modellers have their preferences.
Card kits are printed with lots of fine detail, look colourful, come with weathered effects, take 2-3 hours to construct, and are ideal for permanent layouts.
Plastic kits often are self coloured, have texture, very often require some painting, but tend to be durable for those who move buildings around a lot. They are a must for those structures based on a framework.
Resin buildings are colourful, have texture and look lived in, can be used indoors or out, and can be used straight out of the box. A recent innovation.
Scratchbuilt buildings are unique, require modelling skills, take a lot of time and permit prototype buildings to be constructed.
Buildings are an important element of any layout.
Which modelling material do you predominantly use and why?
I personally have used all three materials in the same layout and scratchbuilt but a lot of modellers don't like doing this as they claim that the combination of different textures and finishes does not look right. What I tend to do is keep like textures together so I might have a village scene in one area with Skaledale and a town scene elsewhere with card, and an industrial scene elsewhere with plastic.
Happy modelling
Gary
