How To Toy Train Layouts Structures buyer’s guide in O and S scales

Structures buyer’s guide in O and S scales

By Rene Schweitzer | April 22, 2024

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Even the smallest layout needs at least a few structures on it. We’ve compiled a list of manufacturers offering products in O and S scale. We’ve noted each manufacturer’s contact information, what type of structures, the material(s), and if the kits are lighted. Please contact the manufacturer directly if you have questions about their products.

If you know of a manufacturer not on this list, please contact us at editor@classictoytrains.com.

Thank you to Dennis Brennan for his assistance with this article.

 

Altoona Model Works

2172 Cross Cove Rd.

Martinsburg, PA 16662

https://altoonamodelworks.net

Scale: O

Type: kits

Materials: cast urethane and laser-cut wood, depending on model

Lighted: no

 

American Model Builders, Inc.

8229 Brentwood Industrial Dr.

St. Louis, MO 63144

http://www.laserkit.com/laserkit.htm

Scale: O, S

Type: kits

Material: wood, resin, white metal details

Lighted: no

 

Ameri-Towne

OGR Publishing, Inc.

1310 Eastside Centre Ct., Suite 6

Mountain Home, AR 72653

https://ogaugerr.com/collections/ameri-towne

Scale: O

Type: kits

Materials: polystyrene

Lighted: no

 

Atlas O

378 Florence Avenue

Hillside, NJ 07205

shop.atlasrr.com

model music store
Steve’s Music Store (66911) is an injection-molded plastic kit from Atlas O. It’s part of their Hillside Structure Line.

Scale: O

Type: both preassembled and kits, depending on the line

Material: most kits are plastic; laser-cut kits are wood; preassembled are plastic

Lighted: Kits, no; preassembled, some have lighting

 

Bachmann Industries

1400 East Erie Ave.

Philadelphia, PA 19124

https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/

grey model diner
This Plasticville U.S.A. diner, produced by Bachmann, is straight out of the box. Learn how to upgrade this piece in an article by Dennis Brennan. Dennis Brennan photo

For Plasticville U.S.A. line:

Scale: O

Type of structures: kits

Material: plastic

Lighted: no

 

Bar Mills Scale Model Works

PO Box 609

Bar Mills, ME 04004

https://barmillsmodels.com/

Scale: O

Type of structures: kits

Material: wood with metal castings and other details

Lighted: no

 

Brennans Model Railroading

P.O. Box 520174

Independence, MO 64052

Brennansmodelrr.com

Scale: O

Type: kits

Material: laser-cut basswood and/or MDF

Lighted: no

 

B.T.S. (Better Than Scratch)

1782 Trinity Rd.

Belington, WV 26250-7621

https://www.btsrr.com/

Scale: O

Type of structures: kits

Material: wood

Lighted: no

 

Busch Gmbh & Co.

Heidelberger Straße 26

D-68519 Viernheim, Germany

https://www.busch-model.com

Scale: O

Type of structures: preassembled

Material: ABS plastic

Lighted: some are lighted; others not

 

Downtown Deco

P.O. Box 335

Conner, MT 59827

https://downtowndeco.com/

model stone station
Clemensville station, owned by David S. Jacobs, is an enhanced and detailed Downtown Deco kit (no longer produced). Dennis Brennan photo

Scale: O

Type of structures: kits

Material: Hydrocal castings

Lighted: no

 

East Coast Enterprises

973-366-5788

https://www.trainlayouts.com

Scale: O

Type of structures: preassembled structures and unpainted building fronts; custom services available

Material: laser-cut wood

Lighted: yes, for preassembled structures

 

Frenchman River Model Works

P.O. Box 86

Langdon, ND 58249

https://frenchmanriver.com

 Scale: O, S

Type of structures: kits

Material: resin

Lighted: no

 

Korber Models

Mr. Muffin’s Trains

165 E. Main St.

Atlanta, IN 46031

https://mrmuffinstrains.com/collections/korber-models

Scale: O

Type of structures: kits

Material: plastic, with wood pieces and details depending on kit type

Lighted: no

 

Lionel

6301 Performance Dr.

Concord, NC 28027

https://www.lionel.com/

Scale: O, S

Type of structures: preassembled

Material: ABS plastic

Lighted: yes

 

MTH Electric Trains

6660 Santa Barbara Rd., Suite 20

Elkridge, MD 21075

mthtrains.com

 

Scale: O

Type of structures: preassembled

Material: ABS plastic

Lighted: yes

 

Menards

Menards.com/trains

model gas station
Texaco Station (2749204) is one of many structures produced by Menards. It’s fully lit and features a die-cast truck. Hal Miller photo

Scale: O

Type of structures: preassembled

Material: varies by structure

Lighted: yes

 

Plastruct

68 Bradrock Dr.

Des Plaines, IL 60018

https://www.plastruct.com/

Trackside Series

Scale: O

Type: kits

Material: plastic

Lighted: no

 

San Juan Details (formerly Grandt Line Products)

8141 N. I-70 Frontage Rd., Suite 5

Arvada, CO 80002

sanjuandetails.com

Scale: O

Type of structures: kits

Material:  styrene and acetal plastic

Lighted: no

 

Todd Architectural Models

54 Mountainview Rd.

Chatham, NJ 07928

https://www.toddarchitecturalmodels.com

Scale: O, S

Type of structures: kits, custom-painted models, preassembled models

Material: acrylic plastic

Lighted: lighting can be added to most structure orders

 

Twin Whistle

31 Turnberry Dr.

Arden, NC 28704

https://twinwhistle.com

Scale: O, S

Type of structures: kits

Material: cast resin with wooden laser-cut windows, doors, and accessories

Lighted: no

 

TW Trainworx

2808 McGowan St.

Dallas, TX 75203

http://www.twtrainworx.com

Scale: O, S

Type of structures: preassembled and kits

Material: laser-cut MDF and Laserboard

Lighted: no if kit; yes if preassembled

 

Woodland Scenics

P.O. Box 98

Linn Creek, MO 65052

https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/

model barn with silo
Woodland Scenics produced the Old Weathered Barn (BR5865) in 2018. It features warm white LEDs and weathering. Bill Zuback photo

Scale: O

Type of structures: preassembled, kits, and modular structures

Material: varies

Lighted: preassembled, yes; kits, no

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