Several very interesting new releases have been announced by Faller for 2016 including the Bahnhof Hulinghausen train station. Borrowing from the manufacturer’s website is their description: A monument! Laser-cut model of the station building in Herscheid-Hüinghausen put into operation in 1915, with a characteristic hipped roof à la Mansard and an adjoining half-timbered goods shed. The station area forms today the operating central point of the museum line Sauerland Local Railway. The proposed release is July 2016.

*Available as a pre-order from http://www.ajckids.com/products/Faller/282704 .

A perfect train station for a briefcase layout is without doubt the Faller Osterode-Sud station, it measures just 2 3/8 x 1 5/8 inches which makes it ideally suited for a rural diorama for the smallest layout.

For several years Faller has released laser cut kits for z on a limited basis including a lumber mill, farmhouse and town hall. The laser cut kits tend to be priced higher than the plastic Faller kits, they include many more parts and probably a higher investment in design time. The architectural design of this kit is half  timber and stucco with terracotta roof tiles typically found in Germany.

Kit features numerous parts including individual stucco sections, each is cut out from a larger sheet and individually glued in place thus giving a realistic impression of stucco infill. Note: tweezers and magnifying goggles are required due to the many small parts. Window glazing is included in the kit as well as interior lighting masking material which I did not use, it is required when lighting plastic kits due to translucence which is not a factor with laser cut kits, but you will gain window details such as curtains when using the masking material included with the kit. Faller 282705 is a challenging kit comprising numerous small parts in a small size. Some dry brushing could be used to add realism but not required. Signage is included as add-on details, I would recommend some improvement to graphic signs for future kits; the included signs are difficult to cut out with precision from the paper sheet, perhaps the station signs on heavy card stock would be better.

Marklin 89791 is described as an add-on set for the livestock transport freight set 82523 7-car set. 89791 set includes 2 freight cars + slaughterhouse with loading cart and fencing. This post highlights the building only which is a really nice structure to consider if your layout includes rural farming properties. At this time there are just a couple of laser cut farm structures this being one that I highly recommend, it is easy and fast to assemble with good results. It is called a slaughterhouse, but it can be called a dairy as well. Instead of buying the 7-car 82523 cattle transport set consider a fleet of 82314 “Milch” (milk) cars that are sometimes available on Ebay and turn this barn into a dairy farm. The 82314 car is a must have detail rich tank car with great color and  graphics. Stucco has been a much used building material throughout Germany for a very long time, it is durable and easy to maintain making it particularly well suited for barns.

Faller’s limited edition laser cut kits for z cost more than their plastic kits, but they are some of the highest quality available and produced in a one time series. The lumber mill features a water wheel that can be motorized (motor not included), lumber storage, metal hook and crane, saws, lots of lumber (made of plastic: ugh!), and a stucco and open timber building. Materials used in the kit include plastic, laser cut card stock and laser cut wood. Individual stucco parts are glued into timber frame work which adds time for construction. A heavy particle wood base serves as the foundation for this complex making the finished building a bit heavy overall. One of the advantages with laser cut kits is their lightweight: lighter than plastic buildings. A slimmer lighter layout is easier to move and store unless you are lucky enough to have your own train room! Photos show building without the rough timber and cut boards, they are cream colored plastic and must be painted otherwise use real wood. Also less precision of the water wheel than that designed by Archistories for their grist mill.

The Faller Klingenberg Station is a laser cut kit with some plastic parts. The plastic parts include gutter downspouts, chimneys and roof. I assembled this kit and finished the roof with matte paint similar to the original terracotta tile color, the chimneys I painted in black. Attached freight depot is laser cut wood, its roof has a nice original patina. I chose not to install the downspouts, I felt they might be a little distracting. This is a great building that I plan to use on a Scandinavian inspired layout. As with other Faller laser cut buildings this is an easy to build structure.