Model Railroad Structures - Scratch building made easier!

Plan 1646 - International Hotel

PDF Plan package: $9.95

In the early 1860's gold was discovered along Wild Horse Creek near the Kootenay River. An entrepreneur named John Galbraith started a ferry service to carry the gold seekers and their horses across the river to the new settlement. This settlement came to be known as Galbraith's Ferry, which later became Fort Steele. As the easy gold disappeared, so did the miners. From a peak of about 5000 prospectors in the mid 1860's, the population dwindled to less than a dozen, but with the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885, the area once again began to grow.

Today's Fort Steele is a heritage site, with almost 100 historic buildings, including the International Hotel.

This is the N scale version using materials from Northeastern Scale Lumber Co.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 1768 - Cookstown Tavern

PDF Plan package: $9.95

The original brick structure was built in 1825 as Cookstown Tavern in Burlington County, New Jersey.  In later years a two-story wood framed structure was added to the rear.

This HO scale model depicts the building as it appeared up to the middle of the century, using brick paper from Micro-Mark for the original section, and siding from Northeastern Scale Lumber Co. for the addition at the rear.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 1824 - the El Dorado Motel

PDF Plan package: $11.95 (includes office & motel units)

The word “Motel” is an abbreviation of Motor and Hotel. As North America's highway systems began to grow in the 1920's, so did people's need and means to travel. The independence provided by the automobile meant that people could choose their routes of long distance travel rather than follow those dictated by railways and bus lines. To accommodate this travel, a new type of lodging was established. Unlike hotels, which were typically located in city centers, motels were often located along popular travelled roads and highways.

The El Dorado Motel was typical of one of the many that sprang up along major highways in Canada and the U.S. (Sign pattern included)

This HO Scale model was constructed using 64 lb. cardstock and balsa for the sign and columns.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 689 - Newspaper Office

PDF Plan package: $7.95

Small town newspapers started appearing in North America during the 17th century. With the invention of the telegraph newspapers were able to report events from accross the country, and readership was popular but over the years they have suffered various setbacks, including censorship, competiton from radio and television, and now the Internet. In time, like the steam locomotive, small hometown newspaper offices may become a thing of the past.

The HO scale example was done using the included cardstock version.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 768 - Feed Store

PDF Plan package: $8.95

This model is part of Plan 2978 Johnson's Feed Mill, but is offered separately. It can be used by itself as a country store or other application.

The HO scale example was done using the included cardstock version.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 1140 - Sperling Store

PDF Plan package: $9.95

The Sperling Store was typical of many rural stores throughout North America. In these little country stores you could find anything from gasoline, oils and kerosene to groceries and gumboots. Often, there was a corner dedicated to a post office or even a Sears catalog order office. This one served the rural citizens from the early 1900's to the 1960's when a new highway bisected the main route to the store, leading to it's closure.

Printable Gas signs included. Included gas pump plans similar to Plan 1921.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 1200 - Watson's General Store

PDF Plan package: $9.95

This is an HO Scale cardstock version of Watson's Store in Spalding, Idaho, but it could be any one of hundreds of typical country stores across the country from the mid 1800's to present day. Watson's store operated from 1911 to 1964. The store contained living accommodations, and ultimately included a Post Office.

The building eventually became part of the National Park Service. (Signs templates included)

The HO scale example was done using the included cardstock version. Garden Scale available at ScaleModelBuildings.com

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 1460 - Hardware Store

PDF Plan package: $7.95

False front architecture was common in North America in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The word 'façade' is a derivative of the word 'face', and has worked it's way into our language to sometimes imply deception. In the case of an old west building, a façade is a false front designed to hide the actual style of the structure behind it. The false front gives an impression that the building is more substantial than it really is. Often times, the main building is merely a simple gable roof structure.

The HO scale version shown is from the included cardstock printouts. The N scale scratch built version uses 1/32" Clapboard siding and W105NEB (HO scale) windows from Northeastern Scale Lumber. The N scale cardstock version is done using Model Builder® software from Evan Designs.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 2460 - Main Street

PDF Plan package: $16.95 (plans for complete commercial block as shown)

Nearly every major town across North America and Europe had undergone a phase of Art Deco architecture. Entering the twentieth century, even many otherwise conservative architects found themselves moving beyond mere function and practicality, with their designs reflecting the artistic styles of the period.

Ingram Jewellers, on the right, sat directly across the street from the Great Northern Railway tracks for over thirty years, before finally closing in the 1980's. Similar buildings can still be seen on just about any Main Street in the country. (Signs included)

This model is constructed as one complete unit of four businesses - Drug Store, Law Office, Department Store, Jewellers.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 3256 - Strip Mall

PDF Plan package: $15.95

Strip Malls began to make their appearance in the early 1970’s. They were usually located on the outskirts of towns and cities, partly for accessibility by car and partly because commercially zoned properties tended to be cheaper than those in downtown cores. The fact that they are usually single story structures did not warrant the premium price of downtown locations.

This is the HO Scale version using foam core finished with Rustoleum textured spray paint. The Cinema can be constructed separately.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 1297 - Mattock School

PDF Plan package: $8.95

Originally named Webster School and later named Mattock School after Reverend John Mattocks, the Secretary of the Board of Education, Mattock School was a one room school built using local limestone. The limestone block walls were roughly twenty inches thick, with two inches of plaster on the interior surfaces.

Over the years it has served various purposes and many students, including some of my ancestors, and now sits on the site of Highland Park Senior High School in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Included are instructions on making simulated limestone blocks.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 1917 - Pettigrew School

PDF Plan package: $9.95

Pettigrew Arkansas was once called "The Hardwood Capital of the World". Unfortunately, as the timber supply declined so did the economy, and the Fayetteville & Little Rock Railroad made it's last run in 1937.

This HO scale structure depicts the original school building with a cedar shake roof and a bell tower, which was removed in later years.

Siding from Northeastern Scale Lumber Co

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 2317 - Murrayville School

PDF Plan package: $9.95

Murrayville School was built in 1911 as a two room school for both elementary and high school students. It is situated on what was once known as Yale Road, the main wagon road between New Westminster and Yale BC. The school underwent several additions and renovations over the years, including raising the building for a basement, adding two classrooms in 1922, and the construction of a separate annex in the 1960's. Although the building was still standing at the time of this publication, it's future was uncertain.

This is the HO scale included cardstock version with balsa staircases and railings. Package also includes plans for a scratch built structure. Either can be built as the original two room school or as the 1922 version, with or without basement.

* Please note: The O scale cardstock sheets include the two room version only.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 635 - Molly's Diner

PDF Plan package: $9.95

Although they resembled railroad dining cars, the classic art deco American diners were mainly purpose-built, pre-fabricated units complete with interior equipment and furnishings. Companies such as O'Mahony, Kullman, Fodero and others built single and modular units designed to be delivered to location by truck or railroad and set up either temporarily or permanently. The glory days of these diners was roughly between the 1920's and 1940's. Several of these are still in existence and have been restored to their former beauty, even serving the same type of meals that shaped their popularity in the first place.

The scratchbuilt version uses balsa, styrene, and aluminum foil. The cardstock version is a hybrid version using a wood or styrene roof.

*Electric sander would be useful, but not required.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 695 - Sister's Cafe

PDF Plan package: $7.95

Over the years many of Fort Langley's classic buildings, apart from the original CN station, have either been replaced or renovated beyond recognition. Although before my time, the Sister's Cafe was once a testament to not only the culinary skills, but the ability of my two aunties to get along well enough to share the same kitchen.

Few 'old-timers' would recognize the present day town as it endeavors to re-create a historic identity. The Sister's cafe has long since closed and the building is unrecognizable today, but I can imagine that it was once a center of social activity as well as delicious meals.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 715 - Tastee-Treat Drive-In

PDF Plan package: $9.95

Long before “drive-through” fast food restaurants let you grab a quick meal to eat on the run, “drive-in” restaurants allowed you to take your time, relax, and enjoy yourself in the comfort of your car. The exact date and location of the first drive-in is debatable, but it was during the 1950's when this style of dining became increasingly popular. Of course, the popularity of the drive-in restaurant was not just from the unique style of dining. Local drive-ins were the 50's, 60's and 70's social gathering center for teens to meet friends or show off their hot cars.

This is the HO scale cardstock model. Plan covers drive-in, canopy and sign.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 1515 - The Stardust Drive-In

PDF Plan package: $18.95

First appearing in the early 1930's, drive-in theatres rapidly became a popular source of entertainment for the entire family. Snack bars provided the refreshments, and the family car provided the intimate setting.

As with indoor theatres, popularity began to decline as color televisions, and later, home theatre systems became more common. Whether the Stardust survives or not remains to be seen, but it will continue to exist in the memories of its patrons and in miniature scale through the efforts of scale modelers. Use an inexpensive digital photo frame or tablet, or follow the tutorial included with the plan.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 2169 - Paramount Theatre

PDF Plan package: $9.95

The Paramount Theatre in Chilliwack BC was sixty-one years old when it closed it's doors for the last time. By November of 2010 the once ultra modern 600 seat theatre had ultimately yielded to the competition of a new multiplex theatre, and the proliferation of new home-entertainment centers that could not have been imagined back in 1949. Although the stories that were told were those from Hollywood Block-busters, the ones that live on are of first dates, family outings, and other treasured personal memories. This model depicts the theatre prior to a renovation in the late 1970's.

This N Scale model of the 1950's version was constructed with balsa and sprayed with Trem-Clad Texture finish. (Signs included)

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 1583 - Government Assay Office

PDF Plan package: $9.95

In the mid 1800’s, several government assay offices were established throughout the Colony of British Columbia in strategic gold mining towns such as Atlin, Barkerville, New Westminster and Victoria. In the assay offices, miners would have their gold dust and nuggets weighed and receive the equivalent value in coins or treasury notes.

This is the Government Assay Office in Barkerville, British Columbia.

This model uses clapboard and Board & Batten siding from Northeastern Scale Lumber Co.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 1700 - Barkerville Masonic Hall

PDF Plan package: $9.95

There are many theories relating to the history of Freemasonry, but it is commonly believed that the fraternity originated in England several hundred years ago. The Masonic Hall in Barkerville, British Columbia, was constructed in 1869 to replace one destroyed in a fire, and is currently the oldest in the Province.

This is the cardstock version, included with the set of scaled plans and scratch building templates, and uses a balsa post & beam foundation.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 2076 - Kaslo City Hall

PDF Plan package: $9.95

Like many historic BC towns, Kaslo BC owes it's beginnings to logging and mining. Various railways serviced the Kootenay Lake region, including the Columbia and Kootenay Railway, Nelson and Fort Sheppard Railway, and the Kaslo and Slocan Railway, which was originally operated by the Great Northern Railway, and later by the Canadian Pacific Railway.

The Kaslo City Hall is the oldest functioning city hall on the mainland of British Columbia, and second only to the Victoria City Hall on Vancouver Island. It was constructed in 1898, to house the municipal council chambers and administrative offices, the provincial court, the fire and police departments, and jail, and was declared a National Historic Site in 1984.

This is the N Scale version, done in scale siding from Northeastern Scale Lumber Co.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 556 - Fort Steele Stage Lines Office

PDF Plan package: $7.95

Fort Steele was one of several gold rush towns in the early history of British Columbia. The stage coach office was one of many businesses serving roughly 1000 residents. Beginning around 1899 Fort Steele began to suffer the fate of other gold rush towns, as the Canadian Pacific Railway route favored the nearby town of Cranbrook. In 1961 Fort Steele was declared an historic park. The Friends of Fort Steele Society have worked hard to preserve and restore over 60 buildings, to create a fascinating tourist destination, which can include a ride on an early 1900's steam train.

This cardstock version, included with the set of scaled plans and scratch building templates, uses balsa columns and cornices.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 728 - Shipping Office

PDF Plan package: $7.95

The Shipping Office is part of Plan 2978 Johnson's Feed Mill and is offered separately as Plan 728.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 756 - Gibraltar Point Lighthouse

PDF Plan package: $9.95

Overlooking Lake Ontario, the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse is one of the oldest landmarks in Toronto. Some accounts vary, but it is thought to have been constructed in 1808, and decommissioned in 1958. There are also rumors of the lighthouse being haunted by a former lighthouse keeper who was murdered one night in 1815.

This HO Scale model was constructed with balsa and covered in Micro Mark Textured Stone.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 928 - Loading Dock

PDF Plan package: $7.95

This structure was designed as part of Plan 2978 Johnson's Feed Mill and is offered separately as Plan 928.

Evan Designs MB program templates available

Plan 2598 - Aircraft Hangar

PDF Plan package: $7.95

Up until the 1940's most small aircraft hangars were wood frame structures resembling elongated barns. During World War II the air force developed portable steel buildings that could be assembled with little construction skill. These wood framed buildings gradually gave way to the new Quonset Huts. Some of these old buildings remain, and have been converted for use as aviation museums.

This is the HO scale version using siding and windows from Northeastern Scale Lumber.

Evan Designs MB program templates available