Does anyone on here build Metcalfe card kits?

I find them an obsession, n gauge and 00 gauge.
Passes many a happy hour !!

 

Yes me too. The 4 road engine shed was a triumph.

 

I recently made the n gauge version of the castle, towers and walls.
Got to say it does look cracking.
I just make them for the sake of it.

 

We do. Haven't even got a layout but we have the full Skipton Railway Station, Mill Complex, Two Road Engine Shed, two coaling stages and Viaduct all waiting to go in 00. We also have two Superquick signal boxes, footbridge and country station. Then there's the island style goods shed built from scratch. All the track, locos and stock. Just haven't the space. Although our collection of locos is ever expanding. I have all the analogue stuff but my Dad has gone onto DCC stuff with sound and steam etc.

 

I've bought ready made Metcalfe buildings from train fairs and auctions and have heaps of them in the loft !
I don't have a layout either so I'm more of a collector than a modeller.
I have lots of 00 locos, also dc, and also lots of American HO steam engines, including Big Boys and Rivarossi Pacifics together with their coaches, some of which I've fitted lights into.
My latest project last week was to fit 3 volt LED lighting strips and magnetic switches into 8 LMS maroon coaches. My soldering skills are improving significantly.

 

My Dad's started fitting lights to his Signal boxes and the Metcalfe Railway Station.

 

Hattons have announced they're closing so they've got a 30% sale on at the moment for a lot of this stuff.

 

Quite a shock to read this news yesterday and very sad for the staff of course, but at least they are doing it in an orderly manner whilst still solvent. Thinking about it again today though perhaps not too surprising. I believe they fell out with some of their major suppliers by becoming a competitor rather than just a retailer. Also the very high cost of new super detailed models prices a lot of people out I imagine, which is self defeating in the long term. Lot's of worried magazines too I imagine given the amount of advertising space they purchased.

 

Yes, sad to hear.
But I bet Rails of Sheffield will pick up a lot of their trade.

 

Oh, thats sad to hear about hattons, Ive bought a few things from them over the years, visited their retail place last year, was really surprized to find it in the mif=ddle of a light industrial place and not a traditional shop....

 

I have absolutely no idea what this is, but rather than just nodding for the sake or using Google, sometimes it's nice to engage and learn about something that someone seems passionate about, that old fashioned thing called conversation, what's metcalf card kits ?

 

Metcalfe Card Kits are railway buildings.

 

It's a company based in Bell Busk near Skipton and they make card kits for model railway enthusiasts, specifically buildings, houses, shops, factories etc for you to make up, similar to an Airfix kit if you like, but card not plastic. You then add them to a railway layout to add realism to it, you can add lights and people to add more detail.
Even if you don't have a railway you can make standalone village and town dioramas. It can be very engrossing !! Too much at times.
Have a quick look at this ....
Home page - Railway Models & Toys from Metcalfe - Ready Cut Card Kits (metcalfemodels.com)

 

I love threads like this one. Fascinating, and makes me appreciate how little I know about stuff. I'm not a railway enthusiast, but there are some lovely models of buildings, etc. on the Metcalfe site. It must be great putting them together - even more so if you can get your kids or grandkids involved too.