JULIAN LILLEY shows us interesting kits that can be used to form the centrepiece of an HO/OO layout.
I thought that it would be interesting to cover some centrepiece kits for your layout in the Walthers Cornerstone range. Whilst these are based on buildings in America, they would lend themselves for use on UK layouts.
Although produced in HO Scale, because of their size the buildings would not look out of place on a OO Scale layout.
Walthers Blast Furnace Kit
First on my list of industrial buildings is the impressive blast furnace kit. No other building defines a steel works like the blast furnace.
The kit parts are moulded in 4 colours and with simple weathering, so can either be left as they are after construction or painted and weathered as you wish. If you add in the FA180690 Faller Smoke Generator Kit and Train-Tech’s TTLFX5 Lighting Effect Welding module, you will end up with a very realistic model.
Coke Oven & Quench Tower Kit
Another large model that measures just over 73cm when completed, the Coke Oven and Quench Tower kit. This kit will, of course, complement the blast furnace above as the function of the towers is to supply the blast furnace with fuel; converting coal to coke.
Rolling Mill Kit
The rolling mill is a large structure serving a steel works – this is where the steel is shaped into parts or finished items are completed. This large building (81.3 x 28.26 x 25.4cm) can easily be adapted into another type of industrial building.
Diamond Coal Corporation Kit
This kit is very American looking, so may not look quite right if you planned to use it on a British layout. As I build what I like, rather than a true prototype modeller, I think it lends itself to being an interesting addition to a layout, with massive opportunities for weathering, automation, and lighting.
These typical small trackside coal tipples would be used for loading hoppers or gondolas.
UPS Hub with Customer Centre Kit
This kit is specifically branded as UPS but this sort of distribution site can be seen around the country, so could be easily rebranded as a different courier or a supermarket. Branded vehicles from the Oxford Diecast range can be added to create the look of a busy depot.
Modern Cold Storage Warehouse Kit
This modern Cold Storage Warehouse can be built in several different configurations and would fit layouts from the 1970s to the present day. Again, add vehicles to complete the scene.
Lakeville Modern Style Warehousing Kit
This post 1960s generic warehouse kit is particularly suited for railway layouts as it has trackside loading doors. The kit includes multiple lorry loading doors as well as trackside access.
Modern Concrete Warehouse Background Building Kit
Do you want to add a warehouse to your layout, but don’t have the space? Then this low relief model would be ideal. The end walls measure just 4.4cm wide, which means that the kit can be used to blend your industrial area into the backscene.
Milwaukee Everett Street Station Kit
As I often say in my articles – "last, but not least" - is this very large Milwaukee station kit.
With the station measuring 64cm x 21cm x 56cm, and the canopy measuring 57cm x 30cm x 16cm, this kit is not designed for small tabletop layouts!
Its Victorian style is like that of St Pancras or Nottingham stations. This limited-edition kit has proved popular, so if you fancy one grab it while you can.