Unlike George Costanza, not everyone wants to be an architect. But when it comes to model railroading, it seems like everyone gets into the act eventually. When you start building your layout, it's sometimes impossible to find the perfect train station, bridge or building to make your plans come to life.

So what is involved in this anyway? Do you need a degree and a table saw or can you work with what you have around the house?

In reality building a quality replica can involve some detailed miter cuts and depending on the scale you are working in may require some advanced woodworking skills and tools. However there is always the 'kitbashing' method, where you take existing models and use parts of them to start your building, then modify it as needed.

For kitbashing, the tools can be quite simple. An X-acto knife or scissors is often enough to manage, along with some imagination.

Some of the materials you may find useful when making your own buildings include balsa wood, mat board, foam, lightweight plastics and even cardboard.

Plaster and corkboard, spray adhesives, gold or silver foil and glitter can also come in handy. You can find most of these materials at your local hobby shop, and they are not particularly expensive.

Where To Find More Ideas

Tips and articles on working with these materials have been printed in many magazines that you may want to see if you can find either in a 2nd hand bookstore or by demand at your local library.