Great stuff! I'm looking to build a large general hospital on my lay out and this building appeals to me. The only drawback is the loading doors up the many stories, but I'm sure I can find a way. Thanks again
Mike, you make a very good point that the hobby may be moving towards digital media. I only go to view local shows, I have never been to Warley or GETS. I don't have magazine subscriptions. A friend gives me his old ones sometimes, but if I'm honest, unless the front page layout grabs me, I don't have time to read it. I get my model railway visual fix from videos on RUclips like yours while I am doing other things. Time is of the essence you see. I am also big into looking at and posting to instagram, with 4.3k followers for my tiny layout, and some reels with 40k+ views. I think you are correct, the viewers are going digital.
I agree with you. We are gaining nearly 300 subs a month on you tube, I doubt the magazines are achieving that. Our smaller local show has moved to a larger location and is thriving. The issue is that the mainstream is a bubble, and it's rapidly becoming a minority. The way forward is Ms layout the epitomy of run what you like, not rivet counting. The likes of you and I are the future of the hobby, not some old bloke trying to recreate a station on the GWR in 1947 in perfect detail at any expense.
have you ever tried using a very narrow double sided tape for sticking Metcalfe kits together? I've been using both 0.125" wide Scor-Tape (strong) and 6mm wide Crafters Companion red liner tape (very strong) on both the N-scale greenhouse and the low relief tower block.
I do like low relief buildings as a backdrop rather than two dimensional artwork, good, bad or indifferent. And Metcalf kits are top notch with the thought that's gone into them, and the instructions. I agree with you that the hobby isn't dying, it's just evolving. I remember the first time I saw a display/demonstration of 3D printing (at Modelrail Scotland) and kept coming back round to see how it was going, and that, for one, wasn't even a thing not that long ago. Onwards and upwards! Cheers.
We always get a good response to the 3d printer at exhibitions. Doug has just 3d printed a rake of N Gauge Container Wagons and containers, using cheap Bogies from China, for about 20% of the cost of new
Excellent review Mike, I look forward to seeing the Mill on a layout soon. Certainly a very versatile model, as good on a town/industrial layout as a rural layout.
Metcalfe kits are top notch, these again are impressive, my only criticism of Metcalfe is that it would be nice if they ,at the beginning of each year announced what was coming , so you could plan ahead ,that said ,superb video as usual and good kits
To be fair they announced these in November. At least unlike China, you don't have to wait two years. I recently saw one company taking pre-orders for a loco for "expected" delivery of Q3 2025!!
I think a brick version would be useful . It would blend in with their existing factory . What you find is that building materials relate to an area , so stone might be ok for Cotswolds and the West Country but if you want one of the big Mills around Manchester/Oldham red brick would be better . Might want and see
Yep, love me some Metcalfe kits. I’ve never tried scratch building and don’t have the inclination to even try so these kits tick all the boxes for me personally. My work in progress layout has nothing but Metcalfe kits and I will be adding more in the future, picked up the magazine kiosk a couple of days ago and will be setting about it in the next day or so. I too like the stone look although my railway structures (station, goods shed,signal boxes) are red brick I prefer the residential and industrial buildings to be stone. 👍🏻
This kit has nice potential for inside detail with color printed scenes affixed to the back walls, and some warm-white LED lights. More potential with HO scale, of course. Blessings! 😊💜
Thanks for the tip about the applicators. I will have to go searching for them. You stated that these are supposed to be "grimy" but they look pretty clean to me. Have you ever tried weathering any Metcalfe kits? Cheers!
Good question. 16cm high, 14cm wide, 3cm deep on one 4cm on the other. This is in N so I guess approx double that for OO. It will confirm on their website
Shamefully my second BMR in a long time been busy with college and NAFO helping Ukraine. Just two weeks got a small screwdriver set and reconnected my track wires to my gaugemaster combi and went to run my class 33 and 37 nothing until I gave a nudge and the 37 lights lit up. Rubbed some track and got it crawling but nothing faster so must get a damp cloth and wipe the track and locomotive wheels (arm strain here I come). I might get a lubricant, would you recommend sewing machine oil (my 37 is a Bachmann). Stone buildings are not just European but Irish as well and in Scotland and the Yorksire Dales. Would I need an applicator for scale scenes?
Any oil will do applied sparingly, but sewing machine oil is great. Try cleaning the wheels and giving it a really good long run. Sorry not sure what the applicator question refers to?
Great stuff! I'm looking to build a large general hospital on my lay out and this building appeals to me. The only drawback is the loading doors up the many stories, but I'm sure I can find a way. Thanks again
Mike, you make a very good point that the hobby may be moving towards digital media. I only go to view local shows, I have never been to Warley or GETS. I don't have magazine subscriptions. A friend gives me his old ones sometimes, but if I'm honest, unless the front page layout grabs me, I don't have time to read it. I get my model railway visual fix from videos on RUclips like yours while I am doing other things. Time is of the essence you see. I am also big into looking at and posting to instagram, with 4.3k followers for my tiny layout, and some reels with 40k+ views.
I think you are correct, the viewers are going digital.
I agree with you. We are gaining nearly 300 subs a month on you tube, I doubt the magazines are achieving that. Our smaller local show has moved to a larger location and is thriving. The issue is that the mainstream is a bubble, and it's rapidly becoming a minority. The way forward is Ms layout the epitomy of run what you like, not rivet counting. The likes of you and I are the future of the hobby, not some old bloke trying to recreate a station on the GWR in 1947 in perfect detail at any expense.
have you ever tried using a very narrow double sided tape for sticking Metcalfe kits together?
I've been using both 0.125" wide Scor-Tape (strong) and 6mm wide Crafters Companion red liner tape (very strong) on both the N-scale greenhouse and the low relief tower block.
I do like low relief buildings as a backdrop rather than two dimensional artwork, good, bad or indifferent. And Metcalf kits are top notch with the thought that's gone into them, and the instructions. I agree with you that the hobby isn't dying, it's just evolving. I remember the first time I saw a display/demonstration of 3D printing (at Modelrail Scotland) and kept coming back round to see how it was going, and that, for one, wasn't even a thing not that long ago. Onwards and upwards! Cheers.
We always get a good response to the 3d printer at exhibitions. Doug has just 3d printed a rake of N Gauge Container Wagons and containers, using cheap Bogies from China, for about 20% of the cost of new
Long builds are nice for the rainy or snowy days when you are stuck in the house or cottage. 😊
Agreed lol
Excellent review Mike, I look forward to seeing the Mill on a layout soon. Certainly a very versatile model, as good on a town/industrial layout as a rural layout.
Looks like a good and versatile set of structures.
As you say, the bridge over the entrance would be a nice touch.
Happy Modelling
Metcalfe kits are top notch, these again are impressive, my only criticism of Metcalfe is that it would be nice if they ,at the beginning of each year announced what was coming , so you could plan ahead ,that said ,superb video as usual and good kits
To be fair they announced these in November. At least unlike China, you don't have to wait two years. I recently saw one company taking pre-orders for a loco for "expected" delivery of Q3 2025!!
Very nice thanks
Mike, with a few changes those buildings would not look to out of place in a North American setting . Thanks for the review.
Thanks, I thought they were pretty universal, and as you say would be great for the US
Perhaps a video on your favorite bands?
I think a brick version would be useful . It would blend in with their existing factory . What you find is that building materials relate to an area , so stone might be ok for Cotswolds and the West Country but if you want one of the big Mills around Manchester/Oldham red brick would be better . Might want and see
They're a cracking kit, all the Metcalf stuff is - there's absolutely going to be a heavy presence on my N layout!
They have taken over three of my N Gauge layouts so far lol. To be honest without them I would have been able to build the layouts I wanted
Great video.
Yep, love me some Metcalfe kits. I’ve never tried scratch building and don’t have the inclination to even try so these kits tick all the boxes for me personally. My work in progress layout has nothing but Metcalfe kits and I will be adding more in the future, picked up the magazine kiosk a couple of days ago and will be setting about it in the next day or so. I too like the stone look although my railway structures (station, goods shed,signal boxes) are red brick I prefer the residential and industrial buildings to be stone. 👍🏻
This kit has nice potential for inside detail with color printed scenes affixed to the back walls, and some warm-white LED lights. More potential with HO scale, of course. Blessings! 😊💜
That would look great in HO
Thanks for the video, as you said, great to see this building in stone. So many ways to go with it!!😎🚂🚃🚃🚃🇬🇧
Thanks for the tip about the applicators. I will have to go searching for them. You stated that these are supposed to be "grimy" but they look pretty clean to me. Have you ever tried weathering any Metcalfe kits? Cheers!
I had the same thought about the grime lol. I know some people have used weathering powders with good results
Look great. they could be painted in different colours for a larger backdrop...
Great kit Mike. What are the dimensions?
Good question. 16cm high, 14cm wide, 3cm deep on one 4cm on the other. This is in N so I guess approx double that for OO. It will confirm on their website
@@BudgetModelRailways thanks Mike it’s for n gauge
@@BudgetModelRailways and it will work on my layout
I am sold on those in 00, thank you.
Re decanting the PVA, get a large syringe and a length of silicone tube. Job done and even better than a funnel.
I wish Metcalfe would produce O gauge
These buildings are massive but I really like that bridge, funny how such a minor piece could alter the whole appearance of your scene.
cool kit to build i like to build the kit in oogage thanks lee
It will be very impressive in OO
while watching the video I found them on Ebay (USA). Now I am Happyt
🤠
Shamefully my second BMR in a long time been busy with college and NAFO helping Ukraine.
Just two weeks got a small screwdriver set and reconnected my track wires to my gaugemaster combi and went to run my class 33 and 37 nothing until I gave a nudge and the 37 lights lit up. Rubbed some track and got it crawling but nothing faster so must get a damp cloth and wipe the track and locomotive wheels (arm strain here I come). I might get a lubricant, would you recommend sewing machine oil (my 37 is a Bachmann).
Stone buildings are not just European but Irish as well and in Scotland and the Yorksire Dales.
Would I need an applicator for scale scenes?
Any oil will do applied sparingly, but sewing machine oil is great. Try cleaning the wheels and giving it a really good long run. Sorry not sure what the applicator question refers to?
@@BudgetModelRailwaysThe applicator you use for Metcalfe buildings. Would I need to use such tools for scale scenes buildings?
@@OscarOSullivan I'm not familiar with them, but assuming they are card then the applicators would still be very useful
@@BudgetModelRailwaysThanks
@@BudgetModelRailwaysDo you have an Ebay page as I am interested in some rolling stock
Use a funnel to carefully decant your pva😂
For a "grimy" building they don't seem that grimy!
Even a funnel would cause an issue due the thickness of the pva
@@BudgetModelRailways Syringe of suitable size?