Background Scenes Pack Deal

Practicality is an important word worth of careful consideration when planning or designing model railroads. There is no benefit is having scale model buildings that are too big and take up too much of the valuable layout space. That’s where background structures really come into their own on model railroads. They can be constructed in such a fashion as to require minimal space leaving more area for running trains, the main objective when building model railroads. So it is possible to have space-saving HO scale industrial buildings as background structures without taking away too much, if any, track space.

“Low relief” is the model railroading term used to describe a building with only the front (or the back) visible. Scale model buildings of this type sometimes have part of one or two sides seen. Background structures in low relief can only be viewed front on or from the sides or from above revealing only part of the complete background structure. Low relief scale model buildings are not full 3D buildings so require less space. It is for this reason that low relief buildings are very often positioned at the edge (or near to the edge) of a scale rail layout.

Done well, HO scale industrial buildings in low relief used as background structures provide a superbly realistic backdrop. The background can run along the edge giving the look that the landscape stretches further than in reality it does. The downloadable plans for paper models of apartment and commercial buildings seen on this website would provide a interesting urban street profile to the backdrop of a model railroad layout. Downloads of the scale model buildings look so genuine it is hard to believe they are scaled down models and not the real thing.

The street scene I mention is inexpensive to download and easy to make, and can be scaled down (within reason) to any size required. You simply download paper plans (PDF files) of HO scale industrial buildings and background structures from this website in preparation for printing out to HO scale, or you can nominate to download N scale plans at the checkout when purchasing.

Foam board (available from Hardware, DIY, Discount, and also Art Stores) or Cor Flute are perfect for supporting the structures. The printable paper models can be glued directly onto the board (or to card) Both construction materials are low in price to buy in a big sheet. Card is free if you cut up an old cereal box. Glue each printed paper part before you glue the parts to a pre-cut foam board or Cor Flute sheet. Leave the parts to dry which should only take a few minutes.

Downloading of each file takes a few seconds, or possibly a minute on a really slow internet speed, and you can keep the files of the paper models on your computer for future usage. You are legally allowed to print multiple copies for your own non-commercial use.

Giving copies away, selling them, trading copies, or distributing copies or PDF files of these scale model buildings breaches the strictly monitored copyright laws. I printed out a couple of copies of the taller buildings and glued the frontages directly into my backdrop. I then positioned a row of 3 sided buildings a few inches in front to add dimension and give the appearance of a street running between the front and back buildings.

Check out today’s special price (see above) where you have the opportunity to buy a pack deal of OO, N scale or HO scale industrial buildings downloads for a discounted price. They make excellent background structures.