Introduction

Country Station (Zastávka dřevěná) is a multi-media laser-cut HO (1/87) by Model Scene. It is Product no.: 98521.

There is no prototype information about this station but simple structures like this are ubiquitous worldwide. I find it odd that it has no chimney for a stove to keep passengers warm, but a stove pipe or chimney can easily be added.

The Kit

Model Scene created this kit with high-quality wood, sturdy cardstock, firm paper, and clear plastic sheet. The walls and ceiling are laser-cut from thin sheets of wood with excellent wood grain.

The parts breakdown thus:

Wood walls X 4
Wood door X 1
Wood rafter web X 1
Wood ceiling X 1
Paper window mullions and frames X 2
Paper window casings X 2
Paper door casings X 1
Paper door detail (screen door?) X 1
Paper door handle X 2
Cardstock foundation X 1
Cardstock roof X 1
Plastic sheet, clear, windows X 4

The laser cutting is precise and clean. The parts are held to their parent sheet by easily cut tabs.

Handling the paper pieces will require some finesse as some items are very thin in width.

Detail

Plenty, for such a simple kit. First, the exterior walls are detailed by the fine natural wood grain, across which Model Scene lased individual boards. They also sculpted low relief detail into the door.

The roof is made with a one-piece web of rafters. The roof has detailed shingles lased into it.

Paper parts are have window sash, mullion, and such detail delicately lased into the thin paper.

Finally, two of the four clear window sheets have blind or curtain detail etched into them.

Positioning of the paper framing upon the wood walls is assisted by fine guide lines etched by laser around the openings.

Instructions and Decals

No decals.

Model Scene's instruction sheets are very good. They are clearly illustrated and feature colors and halftone to guide assembly. It is printed in Czech, English, and German.

Aside from the color photos of an assembled building that also serves as "box art," there is no painting guidance.

Assembly

After staining or painting the parts, assembly took me about 45 TV-distracted minutes, including cutting and test-fitting. It would have taken a skosh less if I let the paint on the paper dry longer, as the softened paper shifted while cutting with an X-Acto. (Recall what I said about handling the paper pieces with finesse as some items are very thin in width?)

Fit of the laser-cut pieces is excellent. I love using UHU glue but this kit went together tight with good ol' Elmers.

Conclusion

Country Station was fun to build and built into a satisfying lineside structure. Whether you build it as a rural whistle-stop station or some other structure, it is a good looking building. The building has a small footprint and will be at home on large Class 1 layouts or struggling shortlines.

Model Scene uses quality wood and other materials, and engineers a quality kit. It is precisely cut, with high detail. This is my fifth kit by Model Scene I have built and look forward to my next one. Highly recommended.