Making N scale structures removable?

[EJN]

I am working on a mini (30" x 66") N scale layout, I have gotten as far as getting in a first layer of ground cover and ballasting the track.
I have some completed or nearly completed structures which I have placed on it - see photos below. Note - this does not necessarily show the final placement of structures. There are still more structure kits I haven't built, and more I want to buy.

The bare painted wood in in the center is where my main road and parking lots will go. Once this is done, I want a way to have the structures easily removable, but held in place without gaps at the foundations. I am looking for ideas on how to accomplish this, because I haven't been able to think of any. Thanks in advance.

[Chris333]

I make simple squares out of strip wood so that the building is a snug fit over it. I'll post pics later.

[mmagliaro]

I have a roundhouse that is removable, because I want to be able to lift
it off to clean the tracks inside or rescue an errant locomotive that won't move and is stuck inside.

I put small round wooden stakes into the benchwork so that they tightly fit against some of the inside corners of the roundhouse.  Then I can just lower the structure down over the stakes to get it back perfectly in position.  This was particularly important for a roundhouse, as even a slight change in position can make the openings catch on engines as they try to enter the stalls.

As for the ground cover, I find that if I spread ground cover and apply white glue mix with an eyedropped around the structure, much like ballasting track, it will form a perfectly matched hard shell right around the perimeter of the building.  After the glue mix/ground cover partially hardens, but doesn't completely harden, lift the structure out briefly to prevent it from getting really stuck by the glue,and then put it back so the outline finishes hardening against the building.

[Lemosteam]

Drywall screw into the bencwork and rare earth magnets epoxied into the corners of the building.

[joelm]

The thing that puzzles me about using stripwood or posts is this: How do you effectively locate the position of the posts or stripwood, so these items are snug against the inside of the building. I haven't been able to figure out a simple, straightforward way of doing this, once the building is constructed (and the roof is on). How do you do it? Thanks. Joel

[wazzou]

Measure the insides of the wall openings.

[wm3798]

I use Foam core instead of stripwood.

strip wood. Print out the footprint, laminate it to the foam core, then secure it to the base after I trim it out.  I include enough Elevation so the building has a foundation, and nest it down over the block.
On this block, I'm building the whole bock as a removable unit to simplify installation of lighting and details.

Lee

[cfritschle]

I use use a method very similar to the one Lee uses in that I build a foundation (base) for the building out of 0.04 sheet styrene.  I then use 0.10 square styrene strips along the edges where they won't show so the building can be press fit onto the foundation/base without any gaps showing between the building and the foundation.  The foundation can then be screwed to the layout with scenery covering any gaps between the foundation and the layout.

[Chris333]

Group of buildings:

The wind blew in:


Again



I have an old pair of calipers that no longer work. So I use them all the time as dividers

[Chris333]

Also you can wrap a building in cling wrap while gluing scenery in around it. After the glue dries just pop the building out. The glue won't stick to the cling wrap. You can build up Sculptamold this way as well.

[boisecity]

Nearly all my buildings are removable and just sit on the layout.  I gently sand the base of the building so it fits on the prepared flat surface.  Any gaps can be disguised by adding weeds, bushes, details, etc

JohnF

[John]

Also you can wrap a building in cling wrap while gluing scenery in around it. After the glue dries just pop the building out. The glue won't stick to the cling wrap. You can build up Sculptamold this way as well.

I use clear tape -- not the wide shipping stuff ..  all of these methods posted are great ideas ..

[John]

Nearly all my buildings are removable and just sit on the layout.  I gently sand the base of the building so it fits on the prepared flat surface.  Any gaps can be disguised by adding weeds, bushes, details, etc

JohnF

Very nice scene ..

[joelm]

Hey guys. Thanks for clarifying. Measuring? Who would have thought? Joel

[mmagliaro]

The thing that puzzles me about using stripwood or posts is this: How do you effectively locate the position of the posts or stripwood, so these items are snug against the inside of the building. I haven't been able to figure out a simple, straightforward way of doing this, once the building is constructed (and the roof is on). How do you do it? Thanks. Joel

I was able to lift one corner at a time, just enough to sneak a pointy stick or a fine-point Sharpie under the corner to make a mark.  Get 2 posts in place along one wall.  Then do another 2 corners.  That way, as you are lifting for corner #3, the building is held in position (mostly) by the first two posts and won't move around on you.  That worked well enough for me.
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