4 semi detached scale model houses to build
$22.95
COMPLETE PACK ONLY
The 4 scale model houses to build in this series are very versatile and adaptable. This is because, once assembled the 4 dwellings can be positioned as separate homes (detached), or joined together in various configurations to form semi detached dwellings. A semi-detached home is typically a small single family house that shares one common wall with the neighboring dwelling. Often, semi-detached houses are built as pairs where the layout of each home is a mirror image (or close to mirror image) of the one next door.
As you can see from the above drawing, the homes in this series can be positioned together (side-by-side) to form semi detached dwellings. They have similar roof lines so could easily be joined as semi detached units, if you choose to do so. Alternatively, you could position them on your model railroad layout as separate (stand-alone) residences. If you want to move a garage from one end to the other, it is simply a case of cutting a line down the brickwork and joining it to the other end of the building. The designs are very flexible and adaptable.
These 4 printable plans are perfect for modeling as a small miniature village setting. The paper models can be constructed with the aid of some scrap cardboard (used cereal container card) to HO scale size, N scale size, or to OO UK scale sizing. The assembled house models would look good together in the same neighbourhood, street setting, or sit together to form a small retirement or country village scene.
The attention to detail and reality seen in the brickwork textures, coupled with the low price of these models is why these designs are such a good choice for the serious model railroader, or craftsperson. The completed structures are very durable and will last for decades, and it is hard to believe they are put together with cardboard. Obviously they can be further strengthened with the addition of extra card glued inside completed models.
Plans To Make Several Types and Styles Of Home Designs
Can Be Downloaded From This Website
A detached home is basically a stand-alone, or one-family residence, whereas a semi-detached home is
one that would be joined to another home by a common firewall wall that both homeowners or tenants share. The interesting thing is that semi-detached properties are typically constructed as mirror images of one another. In real life situations both homes will often have the same or similar paintwork or brickwork as each other. So, the 4 printable scale model brick houses in this series can be put together and arranged as stand-alone homes or positioned as semi-detached residences (popular in the United Kingdom and other
countries).
The reason people (in real life) choose to purchase a detached, or semi-detached home can be influenced by the price they pay. Typically semi detached homes can be a bit cheaper to buy than are stand-alone homes. That’s why we have created this series of designs for miniature scale model houses to build, that can be positioned together as semi-detached homes, or positioned separately as stand-alone homes. So when adding these house models to your miniature diorama, or scale model railroad, you can actually replicate what happens in the real world where there are plenty of full-sized semi detached dwellings already constructed or on the market. The plans for these scale model houses to build can be downloaded for making OO / HO scale, or N scale models.
Rules and laws might vary in different parts of the world, but the title for a real full-sized semi-detached property might only include one half of the building that the land it sits on. A stand alone property might be more suitable for those real life home buyers seeking privacy and their own space, or room to expand a family. The reason I mention this, is because creating dioramas and scenery for train layouts is all about replicating the real world accurately in a miniature form. That’s why the paper models depicted in the plans for these 4 miniature houses might be logically positioned in an street, or village, with more older retired residents possibly with fewer children in the neighborhood. These 4 homes are smaller 2 or 3 bedroom dwellings as opposed to being large family homes. There are other plans for sale on this website that feature large family homes if that’s what you want.
Getting back to the real world environment; living in a single dwelling, stand-alone residence, appeals to many because than don’t generally need to consult with their neighbours on matters relating to maintenance issues, or structural alterations. Residents in stand-alone dwellings can be less affected by noisy neighbors, and are probably less likely to be a disturbance to their neighbors.
In real life; the construction costs for semi-detached homes is usually lower than the building costs for detached houses of a similar design. Homeowners will often get more space for their money. Heating / cooling costs for semi-detached homes are often lower owing to the shared fire-rated wall divider.
Model Houses to Build in Miniature for HO, OO and N Scale Railroads
Download these paper models for your HO scale model railroad (select the OO/HO scale option at the
checkout), or download them to N scale. Building model houses from paper and cardboard is a sensible and economical option for hobbyists and discerning model railroaders alike.
For those craftspeople not wanting to build scale models of semi-detached miniature houses, there are several other designs for building model houses from paper on this website. Search the RESIDENTIAL category on the home page to see the full selection of paper models of houses to download and build.
You’ll likely discover numerous designs for miniature houses that would look comfortably in place the neighborhood you are intending on modeling. Print the paper plans to any of these scales you want – HO scale – OO scale – N scale. These designs for the 4 miniature model houses are most definitely very realisticlooking model buildings that would look great on any scale railroad. The colored plans with photographic style textures are inexpensive, straightforward download, print and construct. Also, the nice thing is you can print/assemble several of the same paper models if you choose without incurring an additional charge. Each model building has easy drawings demonstrating where parts fit together. And, these 4 scale model paper kits are intricately weathered to provide real character and genuine realism to any model railroad scenic landscape. You can however, still include some unique detailing touches if you so choose.
There are 4 scale model houses to build in this series and, thanks to the internet, they come to you virtually instantly. Plans for the miniature paper models are sold as “easy to open” PDF downloads for you to save on your hard drive and then print out when you’re ready to begin construction. Choose to print out any number of copies you like for your unique private (non commercial) or club layout, but the terms of purchase mean you can not give the plans to others, trade or sell them (which is only fair).
Train Scenery: Making Artificial Grass on Your Model Railroad
By model railroader Dave Walker
Building scenery for your OO gauge / HO scale / N scale railroad can be extremely enjoyable and also very tricky at the same time. Getting the things to look lifelike is the major difficulty. How can you make rocks that look original without actually using the real ones? What product should you use to give the water its authentic rippling effect? How should you construct grass so that it is just the right color and texture? These are the dilemmas you face when you have a hobby as unique as building your own scenery for your railroad layout.
But this is the most enjoyable part too. You get to use your imagination and experiment with a variety of things to come up with the perfect lake, tree or tunnel. Making grass for your model railroad might require some creativity. Which substances should you mix to come up with the soft green beauty near lake-sides, or the coarse dry stuff of deserts? You can always buy the ready-made tufts or buy packets of ground cover from the hobby store, but the purpose of this article is to discuss some more unusual methods people use.
If you have discovered the how-to of building model houses from paper and cardboard, then you will want to complete the scene with walkways, a driveway, flower garden, and lawn to add greenery and a space for the family to gather and children to play. Most homes (but not all) have a lawn or grassed area in the yard, so lets look at making grass to put in the yard of your miniature houses.
Using Original Grass (not recommended)
This might not sound like the most sensible idea, but strangely enough I have seen it done. What you would need to do is save cut up grass from your lawnmower. Take a clear plastic wrap and put transparent glue on it. While the glue is wet, sprinkle the cut up grass on it. Keep a heavy hand so that no space is left. Once dried you could place it next to the river banks or in a garden on your model railroad. You can even add some sand on it to give a more realistic feel. As I said, using this technique is reasonably uncommon and wouldn’t suit everyone.
Using Felt (there are better materials these days)
This next method is also reasonably unorthodox these days (was popular once) as there are more realistic options available, however I will briefly mention it. Felt is easily available and its rough texture is a good grass replacement. Make sure that you buy one that comes in dark green color so that your model scenery looks as natural as possible. This will work especially well where you want to depict grassy hills. Simply cut up the felt as per requirements and stick it to Styrofoam or whatever other product you intend to use for your hills. Let it dry completely. Meanwhile, collect some fine sand and put it in a tea strainer. Sprinkle the sand on top of your grassy hill and then use a wire bristle brush to spread it out. Shake out the excess sand.
Fiber Mat
This is another thing you can try to make grass embankments for your scenery. What you would need to do is cut a block of polystyrene and stick it to where you want your grassy knoll. Make a plaster and water mixture and put it on the polystyrene piece. Then cut up some gauze strips and add that on top of the plasterwater mixture. Repeat the process two times.
When it dries, paint it a green color. As soon as the paint dries, put PVA glue in narrow stripes on it. Get some fiber mat and cut it so that it fits your grass background. Paste it on the glue. Once that dries, pull most of the fiber mat away from where you stuck it. This way only a thin layer of fiber hair would be left. Make sure you pull gently and from one end. Comb the fiber hair and paint them a grassy green color. It may be better to spray paint (or airbrush) some areas rather than using a brush. Once the paint dries, run a comb through it to make it look natural.
There are also several more sophisticated methods for making grass and turf including using a product called static grass. Explore the different options and decide which option (s) best meet your requirements.
The series of plans featured above comprises designs for 4 detached / semi detached scale model houses to build for HO scale / OO gauge, or N scale train layouts. Simply download the plans, print them out on photocopy paper, glue the designs to cardboard, and assemble the houses. Have fun with your model scenery construction, building model houses from paper, and shunting your trains!
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