Great video, and well done. Metcalfe kits are good but they could be better if they embossed the brickwork/stonework to give them a bit of texture. But all is not lost because it is possible to emboss them yourself. I use an old ballpoint pen that ceased to work ages ago. Using a ruler I gently go over the lines of mortar or even the tiles with the pen to give an embossed look. Eventually - if you have a steady enough hand - you won't need the ruler. In some cases you don't need to do every single brick either but once done it improves the look of the building and a wash of an appropriate colour can give a building a good finish. Try it on one of the smaller cheaper models. Hope this is a help. Thanks for a great video and get well soon.
Hi Alfie, thank you for your kind comment when you mention embossing them I take it you mean 00 models, i'm doing n-gauge so I think it would maybe give me quite a bit of eye strain to do it LOL, but thanks for taking the time watching my video...Graham
Hi Graham! Hope you are recovering quickly! Great idea to make some models while you're not able to jump around the train room! Lol! I've got a few Metcalfe kits to make up myself, but have been putting the task off until I've got somewhere to place them on the layout - so it could be some time! They look pretty straightforward to build, and have excellent instructions, although that won't stop me from messing them up! :) You've done a great job with the Station Master's house! About the colour, I'm wondering if they do different colour variants? I know I've got the same bridge kit in both stone and red brick, and I think they do tunnel portals in different colours too! Just a thought! Keep up the good work! All the best, Ian.
Hi Ian, thank you for your kind comments and yes my recovery is going well I have a Metcalfe catalogue and I've had a look through and no this range of buildings only come in Gray expect the engine sheds that also come in red brick, It is a pity as if they did I would of taken the option of having my builds in the proper colours, anyway thank you for uyour kind comments once again...Graham
great video to aid kit builders, believe it or not, you can improve the kits, scribe into the card to create texture between the bricks and roof tiles,
Hi..Two people have said about scribing the brick work/roof tiles take it you mean 00 models, for me doing that in n-gauge would be to much of a strain on my eyes, anyway thank you for taking the time to watch my video and i hope you stick around for some more...Graham
In the past when I have used that type of lighting I have cover the strip in a piece or two or printer paper. Or replace with a warm white led and add resistors.
Hi Graham l hope you are doing okay, l do think the Metcalf kits are great but anything in N gauge is difficult, l had N gauge but changed to 00 because of my eye sight so hats off to you and all N gauge modelers 😊. All the best Colin from Mossend railway oo.
Hi Colin thank you for your comments, you are right about N-gauge models they can be a bit of a strain on the eyes but in going to get a lot more practice over the next few videos so hopefully I will improve, all the best...Graham
Hi Graham, you asked what I thought, this is my 1p. 1) If the windows have lintols on top, shouldn't the doors have a lintol above the door. (I don't know the actual building which the model is based off i am using my common sense. 2) I think since you have put lighting in the rooms, you should try to add an interior. As your model is N gauge, I think some appropriate photos from a magazine should be more than sufficient. 3) It might be an idea to add curtains over the windows as well. I look forward to watching your progress in the meantime regards Andrew Johnson
Hi Andrew thank you for your comments, as for the interior yes you may be right, as I find that what my eyes cannot see my video camera always does, So I the future depending on where it's going on my layout I will try and add an interior...Graham
@grahamthompson6406 you could do what someone else recommended and add a thin layer of tissue paper over the windows which kind of gives a 'frosted' effect. It worked well on a plastic cottage kit I have.
Nah. Think your talking out your hat 😂 that's the fun of modelling. Three times the price. Nah. You can make your own for nothing if you decide you really need drain pipes.. Metcalf are great kits which can be customised weathered and detailed. . I do find them a little over size but not really a problem. For the money they are great value and just that one kit can keep you busy for a week if your prepared to put the work in. You should really give it try. Happy modelling mate
I use a variable voltage power supply for my building lights and drop the voltage down to between 6-9 volts which looks more realistic 👍
thank you I will give that some thought..Graham
Great video, and well done. Metcalfe kits are good but they could be better if they embossed the brickwork/stonework to give them a bit of texture. But all is not lost because it is possible to emboss them yourself. I use an old ballpoint pen that ceased to work ages ago. Using a ruler I gently go over the lines of mortar or even the tiles with the pen to give an embossed look. Eventually - if you have a steady enough hand - you won't need the ruler. In some cases you don't need to do every single brick either but once done it improves the look of the building and a wash of an appropriate colour can give a building a good finish. Try it on one of the smaller cheaper models. Hope this is a help. Thanks for a great video and get well soon.
Hi Alfie, thank you for your kind comment when you mention embossing them I take it you mean 00 models, i'm doing n-gauge so I think it would maybe give me quite a bit of eye strain to do it LOL, but thanks for taking the time watching my video...Graham
Hi Graham! Hope you are recovering quickly! Great idea to make some models while you're not able to jump around the train room! Lol! I've got a few Metcalfe kits to make up myself, but have been putting the task off until I've got somewhere to place them on the layout - so it could be some time! They look pretty straightforward to build, and have excellent instructions, although that won't stop me from messing them up! :) You've done a great job with the Station Master's house! About the colour, I'm wondering if they do different colour variants? I know I've got the same bridge kit in both stone and red brick, and I think they do tunnel portals in different colours too! Just a thought! Keep up the good work! All the best, Ian.
Hi Ian, thank you for your kind comments and yes my recovery is going well I have a Metcalfe catalogue and I've had a look through and no this range of buildings only come in Gray expect the engine sheds that also come in red brick, It is a pity as if they did I would of taken the option of having my builds in the proper colours, anyway thank you for uyour kind comments once again...Graham
Hi Graham you made a good job of building the Metcalf kit. Hope your rehabilitation is going well. Colin
Hi Collin thank you for your kind comments, and yes i'm feeling a lot better now...Graham
I'm really impressed with these card stock kits. I prefer plastic or 3d printed, but I may do one just for fun.
great video to aid kit builders, believe it or not, you can improve the kits, scribe into the card to create texture between the bricks and roof tiles,
Hi..Two people have said about scribing the brick work/roof tiles take it you mean 00 models, for me doing that in n-gauge would be to much of a strain on my eyes, anyway thank you for taking the time to watch my video and i hope you stick around for some more...Graham
In the past when I have used that type of lighting I have cover the strip in a piece or two or printer paper. Or replace with a warm white led and add resistors.
Hi Graham l hope you are doing okay, l do think the Metcalf kits are great but anything in N gauge is difficult, l had N gauge but changed to 00 because of my eye sight so hats off to you and all N gauge modelers 😊. All the best Colin from Mossend railway oo.
Hi Colin thank you for your comments, you are right about N-gauge models they can be a bit of a strain on the eyes but in going to get a lot more practice over the next few videos so hopefully I will improve, all the best...Graham
Hi Graham, you asked what I thought, this is my 1p. 1) If the windows have lintols on top, shouldn't the doors have a lintol above the door. (I don't know the actual building which the model is based off i am using my common sense. 2) I think since you have put lighting in the rooms, you should try to add an interior. As your model is N gauge, I think some appropriate photos from a magazine should be more than sufficient. 3) It might be an idea to add curtains over the windows as well. I look forward to watching your progress in the meantime regards Andrew Johnson
Hi Andrew thank you for your comments, as for the interior yes you may be right, as I find that what my eyes cannot see my video camera always does, So I the future depending on where it's going on my layout I will try and add an interior...Graham
@grahamthompson6406 you could do what someone else recommended and add a thin layer of tissue paper over the windows which kind of gives a 'frosted' effect. It worked well on a plastic cottage kit I have.
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there kits are rubbish to make them any good it will cost you 3 times the price of the kit ie gutters drain pipes ect ect
Nah. Think your talking out your hat 😂 that's the fun of modelling. Three times the price. Nah. You can make your own for nothing if you decide you really need drain pipes.. Metcalf are great kits which can be customised weathered and detailed. . I do find them a little over size but not really a problem. For the money they are great value and just that one kit can keep you busy for a week if your prepared to put the work in. You should really give it try. Happy modelling mate
@ metclafe are crsp u got tonspend rhree times whst the kit cost to make them any good if yer licky