2. This is a craftsman kit, so take your time and study
the pieces and read the instructions. It saves a lot
of grief later when you realize you made a mistake
because you were in a hurry.
Denver & Rio Grande locomotive made by Westside Model
Company. This is what got me hooked on narrow gauge, and
I have never looked back. As with any kit I intend to build, I
made a full-size cardstock mock-up of it to be sure that was
what I wanted on the layout. If it needs kitbashing (modifying),
it is easy to add or cut cardstock, and it is cheaper than mess-
ing up an excellent kit. Most of the time, I paint the mock-up
a color I think would best suit the location. Again, it is easy to
re-color the mock-up without having to repaint and lose detail
on the kit.
The instructions suggest that you build this kit on a mini
diorama for later installation on a layout. I did not do this,
as my track is already laid on the layout. I built the kit on my
workbench until it was ready to install.
Inspecting the engine house
When opening the box, I noticed that this is not your normal
run-of-the-mill kit. It is a CRAFTSMAN kit. This is where I real-
ized that this kit is really old, and there is a lot more work to be
done than many of today’s newer kits. The instructions have
black-and-white photos, with step-by-step constructions and
drawings. There are bundles of wood, a bag of small stones,
four walls, roof card material, a box of many white metal cast-
ings, posters, newspaper cuttings, clear plastic for windows,
and sheets of shingles.
This might sound like a broken record BUT it is advisable to
read the instructions in any kit thoroughly and then read them
again to make sure that you understand them. No one wants to
mess up an expensive kit.
Before beginning the kit, decisions must be made on the final
color of it. Is it going to be stained or painted? What color are
the metal castings going to be painted? I deviated from the
instructions on color, as I prefer a wash of yellow on the out-
side walls and maybe an earth color or white on the inside. All
the trim will be done in a light green. I use a small syringe filled
with white Alcolin wood glue
) of the fast setting
2
Building a two stall engine house- 2
“... read the instructions ...”
MRH-Jul 2014
