N Scale Architect - 50098 - Structure, Panel Kit, Stone Wall - Undecorated

Specific Item Information: Each kit builds a 11"l x 5"w x 2"d half-relief structure that is model after the large waterfront warehouses and mills that have existed in the United States since the late 1700's. There are dozens of potential arrangements for the basic structure which can be expanded with additional kits into an infinite array of lengthy backdrops, fully enclosed models or extensive industrial complexes. Included in each package are three(3) laser-cut 'Wall Panel' sheets, two(2) laser-cut self-stick 'Stone' sheets, a laser-cut self-stick 'Stone Detail' sheet, a laser-cut self-stick 'Door & Trim' sheet, self-stick 'Slate Roofing', two(2) plain fiber board sheets, a 'Quick-Cut™ Glazing' sheet and over sixty-five(65) 'Arched Windows'. Full-color illustrated instructions identify the potential placement of each piece, describe the options for interior supports, and provide suggestions for coloring and weathering.

Road Name History: Although they may be molded in color, unpainted and unlettered, undecorated products are marketed to modelers who seek to custom decorate their models for private roads and/or road and/or company names that were not commercially produced by any of the major manufacturers.

Undecorated models are frequently also unassembled or only partially assembled and required modelers to be comfortable with glue, paint and sometimes solder in order to prepare their models for display. Materials for these models can vary but often include plastic, pewter and resin. Models may or may not come with decals or other decorations such as plastic signage, railings and ladders to enhance the appearance of the final product.

Brand/Importer Information: The N Scale Architect was founded in 1991 by Russ Kaufman who has been active in model railroading since the early 1970s. Although many model railroaders received a Lionel Train as their first train set, Russ and his brother Bill were bitten by the model railroad bug in the form of an Aurora N-Scale set.

Russ started The N Scale Architect based on the encouragement of fellow modelers who thought that the plans he had drawn up for scratch building over the years might be enjoyed by others in kit form. The first kits featured detailed step-by-step instructions with hand drawn illustrations and plastic templates to be used for cutting the various pieces. This tradition of high quality instructions continues with the addition of "in-process" and color photos and, thanks to better computer aided programs, more detailed drawings. These templates have been replaced with laser-cut micro-plywood pieces along with the addition of many detailing castings which are now also available separately as part of their "Making A Scene" product line.