More than 200 “Extraordinarily Detailed”
HO Scale Buildings Ideal For Model Railroads.
Download, Print, and Fun to Build.
Download Your FREE CATALOG of Plans for N scale,
and OO / HO Scale Buildings from our Home Page
When you look at the above images of HO scale buildings, they appear so real as if you could almost reach out and touch them. Fact is; it is hard to believe these images are scaled down model building replicas and not photographs of real world full size structures. It’s the magnificent detailing and “close to life” weathering effects that makes these HO scale models so useful on beautifully detailed model railroad layouts.
You simply download the plans in regular PDF format to print-out on paper using your home computer and printer.
After downloading you’ll see for yourself, how incredibly realistic each of these ho model buildings is. Apart from the scaled down size, they’re almost like looking at the real thing! And if you are not modelling in HO, you can construct the models to N scale, or OO gauge. Just select the scale you prefer at the checkout. It is that easy.
Download Printable Plans For HO Scale Buildings For Your Model Railroad or Diorama
After downloading, these print-out kits are fun and surprisingly easy to construct. You simply glue a plan onto the back of an old cereal pack, and cut the numbered pieces out before gluing each piece into place.
You can even print the plans for each of these ho scale buildings multiple times if you want to construct duplicate models. The only restriction is you can’t give copies away (that is in breach of copyright laws), or trade, or sell copies of the downloaded plans or PDF files to others. The downloaded plan needs to be used by yourself.
To make things easy; the scale model plans seen here for sale are delivered by download as PDF files. You can keep the downloaded plan (s) on your computer for printing out at anytime, and as already mentioned, you can print out multiple copies without paying for additional downloads.
here is the option at the checkout to select the plan size namely N scale, or OO / HO scale buildings. You decide the size you want before you buy. Let’s talk a little bit about buying train track and rail sizes.
The popularity of HO 1:87 scale modeling means that it is the railroading size manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers mainly focus on. That’s why there is a wide variety to choose from in the way of model trains (locomotives and rolling stock), track, accessories, DCC and electrics, scenery supplies, and ho scale buildings. OO is more popular in the UK (but not in the USA), so the choices are more limited in some locations. An unfortunate situation is that one manufacturer’s track may not be directly compatible with that of another manufacturer. It is possible to mix manufacturers by careful shimming of the track and matching rail heights, but this is a more advanced modeling technique and is probably best left to when you are more experienced railroader.
The track that the trains run on is a vital part of any scale railroad. All boxed set include a basic oval of sectional track, including straight sections and curved ones of some radius. For example; there are several different manufacturers of OO and HO scale track, and within each manufacturer there are often “code” options. Normally, a boxed train set will include sectional track that is known as Code 100 rail. The code number of a rail refers to the number of 1000th’s of an inch height to the top of the rail. Code 100 rail is 0.100 inches high, code 83 is .083 inches high, and so on. There are several manufacturers that make HO or OO scale rail. Gaugemaster, Shinohara, Peco, Atlas, Bachmann, and Life-Like are some popular companies.
Model train track comes in various forms; there is sectional track, which is fixed to the ties and cannot be bent, plastic roadbed track, flexible track, on which one rail is allowed to slide on the tie strip and can be bent into curves, and bulk rail, which is intended to be hand-laid. Hand laying of track is an advanced technique that won’t be covered in depth here, but is quite popular with so-called “fine scale” modeling. In this variation, great effort is put into making every detail exactly to scale rather than accept the compromise that is inherent with any manufactured product. There is a variation of HO fine-scale called Proto-87 which addresses the issue of larger-than-scale wheel sets and track by using special to-scale track and after market wheelsets for rolling stock in an attempt to make the layout as true to life as possible. Unfortunately, Proto-87 conversion track and equipment ends up not being compatible with mainstream HO products.
Select from the Wide Range of HO Scale Model Railroad Background Buildings
Not only are there numerous options for downloading 3D plans for model railroad trackside structures, but this website also has a magnificent selection of HO scale buildings suitable as backdrop structures. The background paper models differ from the 3D plans in that they only include a frontage, and part of two sides, and the roof of each HO building. The purpose of this is so that HO scale modelers can save valuable layout space by positioning only part of a structure against the backdrop rather than needing to include a larger 3D building. Train operation is the key point in having a model railway, so having more space available for additional yard track is often a priority for HO modelers. Although it might sound extreme only having the front and part of the roof and sides visible, the concept actually works remarkable well when good quality photo-realistic HO scale buildings are used. The structures will look like 3D models when viewed from front on, and other props such as vegetation, sky, clouds, stationary trains, plastic people figures etc., detract from the buildings therefore making it very hard to pick that they are not full 3D models.
Some companies, like Bachmann and Life-Like, provide track that has a plastic roadbed molded to the track rails. If you are just interested in a permanent place to run your trains and are not really concerned with authenticity and appearance, this is an excellent choice. It has the advantage of being more rugged than track without molded roadbed. The sections snap together with a positive lock, and will not come apart with use. However, the more serious HO scale modeler will want to create a more accurate appearance, and so will install track and roadbed separately.
Track is made up of two metal rails separated by plastic tie sections. Each rail carries one side of the electrical circuit. To work properly, the two rails should not contact each other and no metal object should contact both rails together. This would cause a short circuit, which could damage your power pack if it happened too often.
With this in mind, assemble your track and connect the power pack… and you’ll be ready to start operating your trains. It is as easy as plugging in the power pack, carefully placing the locomotive on the track, turning up the throttle…and enjoying!
Track comes in different types made of brass, zinc-coated steel, nickel silver and steel. Regardless of what they are made of, most track sets come with a terminal section so that you can hook it to the transformer. Brass track and zinc-coated steel track are common in starter sets and, when purchased separately, are usually cheaper in price than nickel silver tracks.
Zinc-coated steel tracks are another option, but the zinc can wear off. This can expose the steel that can then rust.
Printable Plans To Make HO Model Railroad Houses, and Other HO Scale Buildings
Visit the Home Page on this website to see the full range of HO scale model railroad buildings that can be purchased as downloads to print and construct. The range of plans for paper models includes: railway stations, engine sheds, warehouses, freight depots, numerous house plans, silos, grain elevators, farm barns, tractor sheds, a smoke house, telegraph office, crossing shanty, signal box, scale shipping container models (10ft, 20ft, and 40ft intermodal containers), shops, terraced houses, background industries, mining town structures, old wild western miniature model replicas (sheriff office, stage coach depot, general store, schools house, blacksmiths, hotel, saloons etc.), and churches, scale model bridges, arched brick walls, plans for tunnel portals, a pedestrian overpass and more. Each model can be downloaded individually , or as part of a money-saving pack deal to make OO gauge, N scale or ho scale buildings. The paper models are then printed out on your home printer ready for construction using corflute (for background buildings), or cereal box card for 3D buildings.
It is generally accepted that brass is the best conductor of electricity, but it does need a regular cleaning to keep it in good condition. This is because brass forms an oxide when in contact with the atmosphere, which creates a barrier to the current.
Nickel silver track also forms an oxide, but still makes for a good conductor on nickel silver tracks. The oxide that forms on nickel silver happens to be electrically conductive whereas that which forms on steel and brass is not. What this means is that after a while on steel and brass rails the trains tend to run erratically. This means you’ll need to clean the rails frequently to avoid this problem. Using nickel silver HO rails means you will have better running trains and less time spent cleaning rails. That’s why many model train enthusiasts favor nickel silver tracks.
The different rail materials are easy to pick. Steel is a silver color (or rusty if not looked after properly). You can also use a magnet to find out if it is steel. Brass has its own distinctive color/s. Nickel silver is silver colored, but has a slight gold tint to it.
Model railway track comes in sections for convenience and ease of use. You can purchase track in different lengths and shapes, straight and curved. Some snap together, and some are made on plastic roadbed sections. Sectional track is what most model railroaders start with simply because it’s easy to use and it’s what usually comes with the train sets.
When assembling sectional track do not force the pieces together. Make sure both ends of the rails are lined up with the metal rail joiners and fit snugly with little or no gap. If your track has molded roadbed make the tabs lock securely between sections. Make sure there are no gaps at the end of the rails when assembling the track.
Sectional track comes with a rail joiner that is a slotted clip. Its function is to keep the track lengths together and also conduct the electricity. This is why the HO scale tracks need to fit snugly together. These rail joiners can wiggle loose when the train goes over the track, which can cause a derailment. To stop this happening you can nail the tracks down through the little holes in the middle of the ties.
Apart from straight and curved sections, other track options include tracks for crossings and tracks made at different angles (so that tracks can cross each other or make figure eights). There are also turnout (switch) sections for sidings. On turnouts you might need to straighten the points occasionally with needle-nose pliers.
You’ll also find that in all the popular scales like HO scale, there are shorter fitter sections available. Shorter fitter sections, such as half curves and 1/4 straights, are needed to complete any plan more complex than a basic circle or oval layout. Many enthusiasts simply cut a section of HO track to fit.
Make an Old West Town Using Printable HO Scale Buildings
Not everyone wants to replicate a modern day railroading scene, although many rail modelers do build their layout using 21st Century model trains, vehicles, and modern day skyscrapers and structures. Others prefer to replica scenes from the 1960’s and 1970’s which seems to be a popular point in time to model. This is often because of the nostalgia from fond childhood memories, and because it enables them to incorporate both diesel and electric engines on their layout. Others prefer a decade or two earlier, so that they can utilize steam engines rather than electric or diesel locomotives.
Another popular era to replicate is a scene from old wild west US history. Constructing an old west town set in the USA around 1865 – 1895 is only limited by the imagination. It was a time most of us “oldies” remember from early TV westerns like Bonanza and Rawhide to mention just a couple of wild west TV shows. It was the time of cowboys, saloons, cattle rustling, gunslingers, and early railroads. Modeling an old wild west town also allows the possibility to incorporate a mining town from the same era in time, complete with gold miners, a mine chute, miners cabins, maybe a church, schools house and nearby railroad.
When using flexi track, it is important to remember that if you make the bend too tight in your HO scale layout you’ll need to use shorter trains, otherwise your trains will be prone to derailment.
Flexible track (often referred to as flex track or flexi track), as its name implies, can be bent to any shape you want. It usually comes in three-foot lengths. It has the advantage of being bendable which opens up new options when planning your layout. Flexible track can be curved or laid straight or any combination you wish. With ho flexible track there are usually fewer connections to worry about. It does however need to be nailed down to a board and the rails need to be trimmed to length as you bend the track.
Flexible track also enables you to go into a curve more gently and make the track fit your layout without the constraints of fixed sections.
Ballasted track (track surrounded by gravel) adds more scenic realism to a layout. However, you need to make sure that the electrics are all sorted out and that all the rail joiners are tight fitting before you start ballasting. Otherwise you may find that after you have ballasted your track, some sections of track won’t work properly.
For yards you may want to use a finer grade of ballast to give the impression of more lightly laid lines, while on the mainline you might want more coarse ballast.
When laying ‘loose’ ballast, be very careful while distributing it around point blades. Also, when laying ‘loose’ ballast never run the trains until the glue has fully dried and the track has been vacuum cleaned to ensure no loose ballast remains.
If you are just starting off in model trains, then you will have plenty to learn, and you’ll be in for a wonderful journey. Rail modelling is a truly fabulous hobby that can provide decades of pleasure. There is definitely more to it than just operating locomotives. Designing and constructing scenery and scale structures is the highlight for many. The thrill of creating a miniature copy of a street or rural scene complete with mountains and tunnels can prove hugely rewarding. Constructing ho scale buildings, bridges, walls, and tunnel portals can be tremendous fun, and not as expensive as buying new locomotives every few months. Downloading, printing, and constructing the scale paper models from this website is the way to go, because they use photographic images, so they look so authentic when placed in an HO railroad setting complete with other scenery features like roads, mountains, trees, and streams. What’s more, they are hugely enjoyable to make, not to mention the great comments you’ll get from friends and family who will be equally impressed with realism of each HO scale building.