Dec 25 2008
FREE Downloads - Paper Scale Model Railroad Trains
FREE Downloads - Paper Scale Model Railroad Trains
You can make scale accurate models of railroad trains using these FREE download sources. It’s fun to add to your fleet of trains without paying for the detailed manufacture and working mechanisms. You can try out some trains on your layout before making the full commitment. You can test your skills in a whole new area of modeling. You can even put wheels and powered trucks under some of these trains and run them on your layout. Some of the models are so amazing that you can keep them as a permanent part of your railroadania displays.
Tools and Supplies
If you have been building up plastic models you should have most of these supplies and tools on hand. If not, they are basics that you will use again and again. Paper models need accurate cutting. You’ll want some sharp hobby knives such as Xacto with a number 11 blade. Buy a pack of extra blades. Sharp cuts need sharp blades. Gather a metal rule. Preferably with a square straight edge, rather than and angled one. You may even want to select a metal rule that has engraved markings for your favorite scale. If it comes in two sizes, buy the larger (longer) one. The accuracy of measurement is well worth the few extra dollars. Make sure that the rule is steel. Aluminum or plastic rules can be cut by the sharp blades and easily wear down with normal use. Paper cutting scissors are another good item to have at the ready. Do not swipe a pair of scissors used in the garden or kitchen, They probably are dull and have nicks in them already. Sewing shears should be reserved for cloth projects only. These scissors will be reserved for detailed paper cutting and will NOT be used for rough cutting materials such as cardboard.
Adhesives are your next category of supplies. Cements and super glues are great for some plastics. They should not be used for paper. Select craft glues especially designed for paper and mixed items such as paper and fabric, or paper and metals. They are readily available for less than $2 per bottle in major craft store chains such as Michaels, A.C. Moore and JoAnn Fabrics. Select glues that dry clear. PVA glues like Elmer’s white glue is acceptable but may be a little too wet and cause curling or wrinkles if you use too much. A thin layer should avoid this problem. Prepared School paste is often “blobby” and dries inconsistently. Avoid it. Flour and water pastes work fine but they could attract bugs to your creation. Use paper crafts glue instead. Get some contact cement as well. There are situations where a thin layer of contact cement (sometimes on both pieces) is just what’s needed. Buy high quality contact cemnet that has not been sitting on the shelf for a long time. The rubber cement may have lost some of its liquids and may need to be replenished if its not fresh. Rubber cement with the brush applicator is best.
Sealants - You may want to seal the paper models when you are done.
The sealants protect the paper models from fading due to exposure to Ultra Violet light rays and can protect them from moisture in the air. Sealants can help stabilize the printer inks and help them set on the paper. Test the sealants sprays on a extra sample page or two of the printout of your paper train before constructing the train and spraying it with sealant. Some sealants are NOT compatible with printer inks and may cause the ink to run or the paper to curl or change colors. Test first.
Some paper models (particularly buildings or other straight flat sections) can be made flatter and durable if you glue the printed sheet to some card stock, cardboard, or slightly stiffer paper. Glue the sheet before cutting unless your model is turning a sharp corner. When doing sharp corners you may wish to cut the cardboard piece first then glue the pre-cut printed paper. This will help in bridging the gap that may be created as you turn the corner. If the designer has not designed for this additional space in the paper model you can glue to the cardboard, cut, glue the corner together, after it dries you can color the corner with a color that is compatible with the model and cover the color of the card stock that may be exposed. Crayon or chalk should be sufficient to color the edges.
FREE Downloads
Paper models are most popular outside the United States (there are some American sites that are very worthwhile). You will find many excellent paper train downloads are available from German and Japanese web sites. Use a free translation service such as http://babelfish.yahoo.com/ to translate instructions on web pages. Babelfish translations are mechanical lookup type translations and usually need a little leeway in the interpretation for a specialty like paper trains and paper folding.
One of the best free download site for paper trains is here. It features numerous modern engines and trains.
A FREE download of the famous Pennsylvania Railroad GG-1 electric locomotive is available here. This detailed paper model comes complete with track and display stand.
Have fun!
Trainguy
