12 best hobby train scratch building supplies

Hobby train scratch building supplies refer to various materials and components used by model railroad enthusiasts to construct and customize their own train models from scratch, rather than relying on pre-made kits. These supplies enable hobbyists to create unique and personalized locomotives, cars, and scenery for their model railroads.Here are some common scratch building supplies used in the hobby:

  1. Raw Materials:

    • Styrene Sheets: Thin plastic sheets that can be cut, shaped, and glued to create various parts of train models.
    • Brass and Copper Sheets: These metals are often used for constructing intricate and detailed components.
    • Wood: For creating wooden structures, such as buildings, trestles, and platforms.
  2. Adhesives:

    • Plastic Cement: Used for bonding plastic components.
    • Cyanoacrylate (CA) Glue: Known as super glue, it's suitable for bonding a wide range of materials.
    • Epoxy: Provides strong and durable bonds, ideal for metal parts.
  3. Tools:

    • X-Acto Knife: Used for precise cutting of materials.
    • Files and Sandpaper: Essential for smoothing and shaping rough edges.
    • Clamps and Tweezers: Aid in holding parts in place during assembly.
    • Saws and Miter Boxes: Useful for cutting materials accurately.
  4. Detailing Supplies:

    • Decals and Waterslide Transfers: Applied to models for realistic logos, numbers, and designs.
    • Paints: Acrylics, enamels, and airbrushes are commonly used for adding color and weathering effects.
    • Weathering Powders: Used to create realistic wear and tear on models.
    • Tiny Fasteners: Nuts, bolts, and screws for attaching various parts.
  5. Electronics:

    • LEDs: Used for lighting locomotive headlights and passenger cars.
    • Wiring and Connectors: Essential for integrating lighting and other electrical components.
    • Micro Motors: Used to power moving parts like fans or animated figures.
  6. Detail Parts:

    • Brake Wheels, Couplers, and Chains: These add realistic details to rolling stock.
    • Handrails and Grab Irons: Enhance the appearance of locomotives and cars.
    • Windows and Glazing: Transparent materials for creating windows.
  7. Scenic Materials:

    • Ground Cover and Ballast: Used to create realistic terrain.
    • Trees, Bushes, and Foliage: For adding greenery to the layout.
    • Grass and Flock: Used to simulate grass and ground cover.
  8. Structural Components:

    • Plastic and Metal Beams: Used for constructing bridges, tunnels, and other large structures.
    • Casting Materials: Resin or plaster for creating custom molds and detailed components.

Hobbyists often enjoy the creative challenge of scratch building, allowing them to express their artistic and engineering skills while producing highly customized model railroad layouts. The availability of a wide range of supplies and materials makes it possible to build incredibly realistic miniature worlds that capture the essence of real-life railways.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best hobby train scratch building supplies on the market
  

evergreen 9008 White Polystyrene Board Set of 3

Evergreen

Based on 195 reviews Check latest price

Product description

White polystyrene board, 150 x 300. 0.25 - 0.50 - 1.00 mm thickness, 1 piece each. Ideal for plastic model making, model railways, architectural model making or simply for crafting and being creative!

  • White polystyrene board, 150 x 300. 0.25 - 0.50 - 1.00 mm thickness, 1 piece each.
  • Small parts made of polystyrene, for multiple use in hobby, home, garden, workshop or architectural model building.
  • We recommend our adhesive 170490/170492 as well as Vallejo colours.

User questions & answers

Question: Could you please suggest what is better for dollhouse furniture this pla plate or plywood
Answer: I also tried to look up the skirt with the link provided but came up empty handed....
Question: Would it be suitable for a shelf liner for kitchen cabinets? Should it be painted with anit scuff paint
Answer: I purchase everything on wayfair
Question: what are the length and width of the sheets
Answer: Whatever size you ordered, is the size you receive.
Question: Dear owners what is the particular thickness of the variety of sheets in this pack
Answer: It is a quilt.

Woodland Scenics Blended Turf Bag, Earth/54 cu. in.

Woodland Scenics

Based on 13 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Ads texture and highlights to trees and scenery. Available in six realistic colors, which model fresh, scorched and dying grasses, weeds and dirt roads.

  • Model Railroading Supplies

UGEARS Mechanical Model - V-Express Steam Train with Tender

UGEARS

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The Victorian Age filled with the spirit of the Industrial Revolution is a source of internal inspiration for designers and engineers. Ugears turns to this fascinating era once again to create the V-Express Steam Train with Tender.

Historical

The main symbol of the Industrial Revolution, a powerful and beautiful locomotive is a historical benchmark commencing the time of global technological and economic transformation of society. Ugears Express is prepared to take you on a journey to this exciting age of inventions and innovations.

Detailed Design

The minutely detailed futuristic design of the V-Express reveals the beauty of moving details: gears and a flywheel, the work of cylinder-piston arrangement – almost an exact miniature copy of one of the main mechanical blocs of a real locomotive. 

Moving Mechanism

One full winding will give your V-Express energy enough to cover a distance of up to four meters (13 feet). You can change the direction of movement by switching a small lever on the side of the models’ body. The locomotive has three settings: forward, back and idle. When the mechanism of the model is working in idle, you can safely observe the work of the moving elements without having to worry that your train will race off into the blue. If you want to test another exciting option of your new model – switch it into the “Back” setting. The V-Express will roll back and automatically hook up with its tender.

  • HISTORICAL: The main symbol of the Industrial Revolution, a powerful and beautiful locomotive is a historical benchmark commencing the time of global technological and economic transformation of society. Ugears Express is prepared to take you on a journey to this exciting age of inventions and innovations
  • DETAILED DESIGN: The minutely detailed futuristic design of the V-Express reveals the beauty of moving details: gears and a flywheel, the work of cylinder-piston arrangement – almost an exact miniature copy of one of the main mechanical blocs of a real locomotive
  • MOVING MECHANISM: One full winding will give your V-Express energy enough to cover a distance of up to four meters (13 feet). You can change the direction of movement by switching a small lever on the side of the models’ body. The locomotive has three settings: forward, back and idle
  • INCLUDED TENDER: The Tender of the V-Express Steam Train is worth mentioning as a separate point. The coal car with lifting sides has a hatch that you can lock with a tiny latch
  • CONSTRUCTION: The Ugears V-Express Steam Train with Tender model kit is made of sustainably sourced high grade wood and has everything you might need for assembly. The quality of the parts is top-notch: a laser method is used for cutting items from a plywood board that provides precise hairline cuts

User questions & answers

Question: Is this a more difficult model to build than the Vitascope
Answer: Hello,The fastest shipping time is 20 days.If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at: [email protected] for your question
Question: hi i recently purchased this train but the elastic bands that go in the gear box snapped can i use regular elastics
Answer: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cozy+line+home+fashions+shams&ref=nb_sb_noss Try that search and see if you can find the shams sold separately. I found some, but I didn't have time to look all the way through. Hopefully, the manufacturer will respond to your question.
Question: What is the typical assembly time
Answer: Yes
Question: Can it be taken apart easily and without damaging the pieces if you want to build it again and again
Answer: I didn't get that color, but the back side of mine is a fabric that matches some of the quilt squares on the top side.

Busch 7215 Grass Matting Large Dark Green HO Scenery Scale Model Scenery

Busch

Product description

Model railway or diorama accessories; scale model scenery in 1:87; not a toy; designed for collectors and model builders over the age of 328.

  • Designed for use in model railway or diaramas
  • HO scale (1: 87)
  • Accurate scale 7215
  • Not a toy; designed for collectors over the age of 14

Noch 8750 Powder snow G,0,H0,TT,N,Z Scale

Noch

Based on 7 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Model railway accessories; Not a toy - designed for collectors over the age of 14; scale models for use on layout or diarama

  • Quality scenery for use on model railway layouts or dioramas
  • Package Dimensions: 5.2 H x 11.6 L x 15.4 W (centimetres)
  • Package Weight: 0.529 pounds
  • Country of Origin : Viet Nam

Woodland Scenics BR5845 O Scale Deuce's Bike Shop Kit

Woodland Scenics

Based on 5 reviews Check latest price

Product description

This building realistically depicts a general store Positive alignment system for quick and accurate assembly Pre-finished edges Signs, an old pop machine and a fenced yard with a junkyard dog, old bike parts, miscellaneous junk and more Printed interior, black-out paper, dry transfer decals, clear window material and window treatments

  • For use with your HO Scale layout.
  • Woodland Scenics - Deuce's Bike Shop - Built-&-Ready Landmark Structures -- Assembled - 6-1/2 x 5" 16.5 x 12.7cm - HO - BR5045

Woodland Scenics HO Scale City & Industry Building Set

Woodland Scenics

Based on 7 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The City & Industry Building Set is a Complete City in a Box Providing 15 HO Scale Plastic Building Kits from Woodland Scenics. FEATURES Finish Woodland Scenics' Grand Valley or any HO scale layout with this detailed set of building kits designed and made by Design Preservation Models. Easy-to-assemble buildings feature realistic molded-in architectural details. These 15 buildings can be placed exactly as they are shown on the Grand Valley layout or arranged to make a city of your own design. More than 160 detailed castings include: memorial cannon, billboard, fruit stand, street lamps, light poles, benches, fencing, tires, animal and people figures, and more. Over 130 dry transfer decals for signs and windows bring life and color to the city. Purchase an entire city with industrial buildings in one box! Plastic structure kits included are: -Gretel's Cotage -Bank & Trust Co. -Rhode's Wholesale Tire -Woody's Custom Cabinets -Granny's Cafe -Grand Valley Depot -Duke's -Grand Valley Hotel -Johnson Bros. -U.S. Post Office -The Valley Apts. -General Store -Grand House -Corner Pharmacy -Railway Express Agency Detailed hydrocal parts included are: -Wooden Platform -Freight Dock -3 and 4 Steps Each building kit is individually packaged with its own assembly instructions. Black paper for interiors. Wire for flagpole. Basswood sheet for picnic table. White plastic for signs. Full color billboard sheet with flags. Vacuum molded white awnings. Fully detailed instructions and suggested street plan. INCLUDES One City & Industry Building Set REQUIREMENTS Assembly Refer to Instructions for All Needed Supplies SPECIFICATIONS Scale: HO 1:87

  • For use with your HO Scale layout.
  • Woodland Scenics - City & Industry Building Set -- Kit - 15 Buildings & Details - HO - S1486

Woodland Scenics Mod-U-Rail Stand, Straight WOOST4790

Woodland Scenics

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

This is a brand new All scale product. Assembly, arrangement, detailing required.

  • Exceptional quality.
  • Easy to use scenic materials.
  • Expertly designed.
  • Wide variety of accompaniments.
  • Brand new in factory packaging.

User questions & answers

Question: What are the outside dimensions of the top ... length and width
Answer: Sure I can, just leave your name in the Customization Box.Thank you

WOODLAND SCENICS PF5185 Pre-Fab Building O'Leary Dairy HO WOOU5185

Woodland Scenics

Based on 4 reviews Check latest price

Product description

This Pre-Fab Building Kit is perfect to model a focal point of your layout's early morning activity. At dawn’s early light, O’Leary Dairy Distribution is busy churning out pasteurized cream, butter, cheese and other fresh dairy products for delivery. Colors may vary from actual product. About Building Kits Assemble in Minutes...Ready to Paint and Display. Beginner and seasoned modelers can assemble these buildings easily and get craftsmanship results. The pre-assembled walls and pre-finished edges make assembly quick, easy and accurate. Buildings have intricate molded-in architectural detail, loads of scene-setting accessories, signs, decals and/or window treatments!

  • Woodland Scenics
  • 5185
  • HO Scale

Brightech LightView Pro Flex Magnifying Lamp - 2 in 1 Clamp Table & Desk Lamp Energy Saving LED Ultra Bright Daylight Light, Great for Reading, Hobbies, Crafts, Workbench- Black

Based on 5 reviews Check latest price
  • CLARITY & QUALITY: GENUINE GLASS MAGNIFIER THAT MAGNIFIES 175%.: Review: "The magnafine [sic] glass is so much clearer than what I was using and it feels very heavy duty." That's because the 3" lens is made of genuine diopter glass, unlike cheap lenses made of plastic/acrylic that fog up. Things are in focus about 13" away.
  • BEST FOR COMFORT: GET THE LENS & LIGHT WHERE YOU NEED, WORK HANDS FREE, AVOID UNCOMFORTABLE MAG GLASSES - The Brightech LightView Pro Flex 2 in 1 has a 13.5" adjustable, flexible gooseneck, so you can point the glass and light where you want and free both your hands. The heavy base or strong clamp ensure the light doesn't tip so you can enjoy comfort with close work. Review: "Solid and heavy, this base is more than enough to keep the lamp stable in any position it is set to."
  • LOVED BY CRAFTERS & HOBBYISTS: Reviewers have used it for painting, sewing, jewelry making, jigsaw puzzles, cross stitch, repairing electronics etc. Here's what they say: "Perfect for threading needles with ease." "Lights allow me to see true colors." (That's thanks to 6000K daylight-color cool white light - not yellow light.) "A life saver when stitches have dropped." "Enough room under the glass to solder." "A true helper for older eyes and very small electronics." Read the reviews!
  • 20 YEAR LIFE BRIGHT LED LIGHTS & REAL DIOPTER GLASS FOR MAX DURABILITY - The 6W & 570 lumen LED lights are built in and last 20,000 hours - about 20 years if you use the Brightech Lightview Pro 3 hours every single day! The genuine diopter glass means the lens doesn't warp with time or heat, and is also scratch resistant. So it lasts longer than cheap acrylic/plastic lenses that warp in heat and scratch easily, requiring replacements in little time.
  • BRIGHTECH'S 3 YEAR PRODUCT WARRANTY: We proudly stand behind all of our products 100%, which is why we offer a full 3 year warranty. If your lights have any defect or stop working within 3 years, we help you troubleshoot and/or send replacement parts or a whole new product. If any problems arise, please contact us because our number one goal is customer satisfaction.

Product features

VERSATILE INTERCHANGEABLE TABLE AND CLAMP LAMP

CLARITY & QUALITY: GENUINE GLASS MAGNIFIER THAT MAGNIFIES 175%.: Review: "The magnafine [sic] glass is so much clearer than what I was using and it feels very heavy duty." That's because the 3" lens is made of genuine diopter glass, unlike cheap lenses made of plastic/acrylic that fog up. Things are in focus about 13" away.

BEST FOR COMFORT: GET THE LENS & LIGHT WHERE YOU NEED, WORK HANDS FREE, AVOID UNCOMFORTABLE MAG GLASSES - The Brightech LightView Pro Flex 2 in 1 has a 13.5" adjustable, flexible gooseneck, so you can point the glass and light where you want and free both your hands. The heavy base or strong clamp ensure the light doesn't tip so you can enjoy comfort with close work. Review: "Solid and heavy, this base is more than enough to keep the lamp stable in any position it is set to."

ENERGY SAVING LED

LOVED BY CRAFTERS & HOBBYISTS: Reviewers have used it for painting, sewing, jewelry making, jigsaw puzzles, cross stitch, repairing electronics etc. Here's what they say: "Perfect for threading needles with ease." "Lights allow me to see true colors." (That's thanks to 6000K daylight-color cool white light - not yellow light.) "A life saver when stitches have dropped." "Enough room under the glass to solder." "A true helper for older eyes and very small electronics." Read the reviews!

20 YEAR LIFE BRIGHT LED LIGHTS & REAL DIOPTER GLASS FOR MAX DURABILITY - The 6W & 570 lumen LED lights are built in and last 20,000 hours - about 20 years if you use the Brightech Lightview Pro 3 hours every single day! The genuine diopter glass means the lens doesn't warp with time or heat, and is also scratch resistant. So it lasts longer than cheap acrylic/plastic lenses that warp in heat and scratch easily, requiring replacements in little time.

HOW TO-

The Lightview is really lightweight and is simple to put together. It comes with only four pieces that snap into place with each other easily, and also includes a simple instruction diagram to show how the parts fit together.

The On/Off switch is conveniently located at the top of the gooseneck, near the lens. The lamp is plugin operated and works with 110v - 220v outlets; you would just need to use a plug adapter to use it outside of the US, as the plug is made to fit standard US AC outlets.

LED DETAILS-

This lamp includes a built-in power-saving LED fixture that stays cool, even as your living space bathes for hours. It has 6 watts, 570 Lumens and a color temperature of a clear, crisp 6,000 Kelvin. Because it's LED and uses far less power than incandescent or halogen bulbs, it increases the lamp's life expectancy to 15-20 years, and you'll never have the replace the bulb! (Please NOTE- bulb is not dimmable.)

WHAT TO KNOW-

The lens of the Lightview Flex is approximately 3 inches wide (in its housing, the total width is 5 inches). The lamp's gooseneck measures 13.5 inches long and it lets you adjust the height of the lamp from anywhere between 6 and 16 inches tall.

The clamp can be used on a desk up to approximately 2.5 inches and the lamp's cord is just under 5 feet long.

Woodland Scenics Built-N-Ready Citizens Savings & Loan 2-Story Building w/Acc. HO

Woodland Scenics

Based on 7 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The local hometown thrift institution assists your layout residents with basic passbook savings accounts, investing and loaning folks cash to plant crops, open small businesses and buy their home. This building comes with LED lighting to show off the printed interior.



Set Built-&-Ready Structures on your layout right out of the box! These hand-painted and fully-detailed buildings are great for building cities, towns and villages. They are molded with high architectural detail and include realistic weathering, signs, fixtures and accessories. Depending on the style of structures, additional features may include window treatments, printed interiors and/or lighting.

  • Woodland Scenics
  • 5033
  • HO Scale

Woodland Scenics HO Scale Built-Up Building/Structure Old Weathered Barn

Woodland Scenics

Based on 11 reviews Check latest price

Product description

  • Woodland Scenics
  • 5038
  • HO Scale

User questions & answers

Question: Is this made of wood or plastic
Answer: I bought the light blue one but I will tell you this—— A legal passport will not fit inside of it. It is too small. I was very disappointed. My grand-daughter just plays with it and uses it as a notebook now.
Question: what is the scale
Answer: Yeah. Its so fit with my passport. So dont worry to buy this product

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