Cornerstone N Scale Building kits

[Jim Costello]

Hi guys,
 I am looking for some advice on the Cornerstone kits like the  Two story house, Lancaster Farmhouse etc..I took a few kits to build while my wife was on a sewing retreat, setting them up for painting and assembly
when I get back home. The kits seem quite easy to put together and I am concerned with the external vertical trim on the corners.  The kit photos show what appears to be a heavy trim ( In white ),however in the kit
this feature is not as prominent.The trim is slightly higher than the surrounding horizontal siding and it seems the kit should have a piece of angle or similar to fix over the corner.
I can fix it by adding some Plastruct angle or Evergreen shapes if considered appropriate ; your comments are very welcome.

Was this trim emphasised by white paint as shown in the kit photos?

I'm from down under and not familiar with your construction terms with building/house construction.

Jim Costello  NHRHTA #L082
Modelling the NH downunder

[dem34]

A good chunk of the Walthers residential house kits are based on the Sears kit house designs that were everywhere between the late 1800s and the 40s until you see the more modern Ranches and Bungalows for the same purpose. In reality you can paint it any color you want, just seems whoever built it for the cover likes white trim which is probably the most common. When I built one I used a Field Grey Color that was similar to one in my neighborhood.

[Rasputen]

I wouldn't put a piece of angle over the corner as this would be too thick.  If you are having trouble hiding the seam and you don't have any good filler, then I would recommend a thin piece of paper.

As for the trim color, that depends somewhat on the era, location, and what other colors were used.  A newer house in a nice area when times were good may have used several different trim colors.
An older home in a not-so-nice area, or one in poorer times would usually be painted all one color, typically white.
 
One thing that bothers me about these kits is that the window sashes end up being too far out of the structure.  While the window trim would be outside of the siding, the sashes should be inset, and thinner.
That attic window looks like it was made with 4 inch x 4 inch wood posts.

[Mark5]

One thing that bothers me about these kits is that the window sashes end up being too far out of the structure.

Damn - I hadn't noticed that (mine are unbuilt). Now I can't "unsee" it. 

[thomasjmdavis]

You could probably make a cottage industry out of replacement etched brass windows for common plastic (or wood, for that matter) kits.  There may be hope for the future- we are beginning to see etch brass details on mass produced rolling stock.  Maybe some company will get brave enough to try it on buildings one of these days. 

[sirenwerks]

You could probably make a cottage industry out of replacement etched brass windows for common plastic (or wood, for that matter) kits.  There may be hope for the future- we are beginning to see etch brass details on mass produced rolling stock.  Maybe some company will get brave enough to try it on buildings one of these days.

Or maybe the manufacturer could do a decent job of designing the kit?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

One thing I've tried in situations like this (it's especially egregious with the old IHC buildings that I love so much) is to mount the windows backwards. Put the "outside" facing in.

[cfritschle]

One thing I've tried in situations like this (it's especially egregious with the old IHC buildings that I love so much) is to mount the windows backwards. Put the "outside" facing in.

Thanks for the suggestion Ed.  It sure looks like this would work! 

I have all of the recent Walthers house kits, but the "Two-story Frame House" kit I just opened is the first one I have actually looked at what's in the box!  The window frame/sash definitely looks better with the backside out.  I am surprised Walthers did not design the kit so the windows would be inserted from the inside of the wall, like most of the other plastic building kits I have built.   

I am also wondering if the "window trim" could be sanded so that it fits flush with the siding so the sash would be inset?

[John]

A good chunk of the Walthers residential house kits are based on the Sears kit house designs that were everywhere between the late 1800s and the 40s until you see the more modern Ranches and Bungalows for the same purpose. In reality you can paint it any color you want, just seems whoever built it for the cover likes white trim which is probably the most common. When I built one I used a Field Grey Color that was similar to one in my neighborhood.

we have a bunch of these houses listed here as the SSS scratch sets ..

[mu26aeh]

At least they are releasing N scale kits that we can use as a base anyways, and improve upon.  So many HO kits never see light of day in N scale

[djconway]

Or maybe the manufacturer could do a decent job of designing the kit?

This is after Walthers after all.  You will be happy that we do ANYTHING for N Scale.