If you are modeling Swiss trains maybe consider this second variation train station by Archistories featuring cream color stucco. All design features are similar to the Torrnstein Station, but appearance is quite different. Archistories suggests using these buildings as public buildings also, they do not have to be train stations only.

Train stations come in many shapes and sizes this three part Prussian design with connecting halls features a large passenger platform that can be expanded with accessory platforms.

Construction time is a bit on the long side you might need as much as 6-8 hours all told. The platform is made by laminating several pieces of card stock that tend to warp out of level unless even pressure is applied throughout the gluing process. Platform sort of slides into place with the station building leaving a fine gap, fill gap with similarly colored glue applied with a syringe; Elmer’s brown wood glue is a good choice. Red brick is used in this construction but stucco is available also of the exact same design. Partition walls of course allow for interior lighting that is realistic.

Here is a very interesting single track locomotive shed with exposed steel truss construction with red brick infill featuring a barrel roof. Experience building these kits is suggested, try building a few of the Archistories buildings before this one. The steel truss framework is made of very fine cardstock comprising four pieces: one per side. Very little room for error with this kit: gluing and assembling has to be quick. And re-positioning the fine lattice truss is not possible (tears easily). For alignment I lined up the bottom of each side with the bottom of the building, I then allowed the lattice framework to naturally fall into place before applying light pressure for gluing. Maybe as an alternative try placing the steel truss on the building and then apply tiny drops of glue in several discreet places. The whole range of z locomotives are easily serviced in this shed which features large windows and hinged doors.

Archistories offer several locomotive sheds this one being a single track Prussian design shed of red brick construction from the late 19th century. It is a good example of an important railroad building for repair and maintenance of steam engines featuring an attached office space. This kit is not designed for variations, but clever planning and cutting makes it possible to come up with a pretty good variation placing the office structure on the right instead of left side. The side window on the office is thrown to the back of the building, in my example I used a sandstone insert which suggests age and modification.

It is my opinion that this is the easiest building to assemble along side the Scandinavian cottages, it is on the small size but includes characteristics of other larger kits including partition walls, roof vents and hinged doors. All of the Archistories buildings are laser cut card stock and therefore absorbent of dirt or moisture that will leave permanent marks; dry brush weathering is possible but great care should be taken due to the absorbent nature of the materials. Correct assembly of this building can be seen in the following photos:

The interlocking tower by Archistories follows two formal attributes associated with the Prussian red brick architecture found in numerous other Archistories buildings + the Sanders water tower’s exposed timber structure. The interlocking tower is small and a bit of a challenge to assemble because it is small with numerous small parts. The small parts do not need a lot of glue just a drop applied with a pin will suffice with the stair risers. A cool detail of this building are the throw levers which are authentically portrayed, adding a light to the control room will highlight this detail. The Faller interlocking tower we all have known for many years is a bit clunky by comparison to Archistories which is a finer example of what was once seen beside the rails, constructed of mixed materials of ample size for the important functions of this type of railroad building. If you plan to equip this building with light you must do it when the building is under construction, you will find it impossible to insert light to the second floor at the end of the project. Here is a building that makes modeling in z today more exciting than ever!!!!

The new Marklin 89982 turntable includes two buildings: roundhouse and administration. The architectural design of these buildings follows the architectural movement in Germany called Neue Sachlichkeit (“New Objectivity”), and a movement that was ended by the Nazis in 1933. I mention the Marklin roundhouse as one option and the earlier Archistories Prussian design roundhouse as the other option. Until just a few years ago Marklin made the only roundhouse out of plastic, it was a rather generic roundhouse with remote control doors. Having two options from two different periods of railroad history in Germany gives z scalers the choice between Prussian or DRG railroading although many Prussian roundhouses continued to be in use for later DRG and DB railroads. Exposed steel cage with infill brick denotes the “New Objectivity” or “New Sobriety” in Germany. If you choose Archistories Prussian roundhouse you can incorporate a very cool loco shed also by Archistories that is of the later architecture period in Germany thus having the best of both worlds.

Save a few bucks by buying a used or dealer old stock of the 3 pole turntable or 5 pole incorporating it with the Archistories roundhouse, it has a few attributes that make it a better choice than the new Marklin set including a much more commanding structure that is expandable then opting to include the loco shed by Archistories of the New Objectivity to include two eras of German railroading in your layout. The expandable Archistories roundhouse is possible as a separate add-on, each add-on roundhouse shed includes 4 bays; I built a 12 bay comprising the original Roundhouse kit with 4 accessory bays.

12 bays is about the maximum that can be built without some trimming to the roofing material to have it cover properly, it is possible to expand further but you will need to do some modification to the roof.

For far too long we have waited for a suitable gantry train for yard work, this is it in better detail than I could have dreamed. Crane rotates and slides with stationary hook and includes bins. Almost all industry needs gantry cranes, they come in large and small sizes. A rail yard gantry crane is of course that large, you will find them offloading containers in a ship yard or picking up loads of lumber in a rail yard. Archistories gantry crane is of an older design featuring riveted plate steel and diesel powered operators’ house. You will find gantry cranes like this in use today in small steel mills that rely on rail transport, two such examples are close to my home in Pennsylvania.