Structures:

The structures on the layout are a combination of scratch built, kit-bashed, and kit. When most modelers think of the Chili Line, they tend to think that many, if not most, of the buildings were predominately of adobe construction. While it is true that many of the buildings prior to the construction of the railroad were built from adobe blocks, in many cases - because of the availability of relatively inexpensive lumber - turn-of-the-century railroad and commercial structures were extensively wood frame. For the most part, there were no significant historic adobe structures in the village of Chamita in 1947.

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I should point out that many of the structures on my layout deviate somewhat from the type of architecture that was prevalent in Northern New Mexico, especially in Rio Arriba County, in the 1940s. Most railroad structures were wood frame, wood sided. They were not the norm. A typical nonresidential building along the actual Chili Line, such as in the village of Espanola, was likely wood frame with a stucco finish on the side and back walls. The front wall was wood framed, wood sided. Many residential structures were adobe. As you can see from the photos of my layout I tend to build wood frame wood sided structures. Why? As far as I know, there are no good quality F/G scale adobe or stucco structure kits available. I do have two adobe buildings, or what’s left of them on my layout. I also have three stucco buildings on my layout and one all concrete building. All the rest are some versions of a total wood structure. At least half my structures are scratch built. When I scratch build, I seem to prefer building moderately to highly weathered wood structures.

 

In attempting to model a “fine scale” indoor/outdoor model railroad I was, and continue to be, forced to make numerous concessions. Yes, that is true to one extent or another for most, if not all, model railroads. The two biggest compromises that I find myself making is size and scale. That is, structures often have to be downsized and, because of lack of availability of stuff in 1:20.3, I have to selectively use multiple scales. In 1:20.3 I down size for four reasons; space constraints on the indoor portion of the layout, manufacture provided building kits that are down sized to begin with, overall visual impact, and lack of adequate preplanning on my part. The first and last reasons are the biggest drivers for the need to downsize.

 

Not only do F scalers have to make major concessions because of space constraints, we are forced to think outside the scale box. On my Chile Verde Line I’ve established a few simple rules when it comes to scale. I want to emphatically state that in no way am I implying that my rules should be considered to be any more than rules that I mostly apply to my modeling. Yes, I do deviate at times. The rules that I mostly follow are:

1. All motive power and rolling stock must be 1:20.3.

2. All vehicles, as in cars and trucks, by necessity will be 1:18. Not much of a choice here as 1:24 is too small.

3. Figures can be either 1:22.5 or 1:20.3.

4. For the most part, 1:20.3 figures should not be placed next to 1:22.5 figures.

5. Structures/buildings can be either 1:22.5, or 1:20.3.

6. Detail parts can be 1:24, 1:22.5, 1:20.3 and 1:18

7. It’s better to place 1:20.3 figures next to 1:18 scale vehicles unless the vehicles are vintage 1940 and older as those vehicles are relatively small in size. In that case, 1:22.5 figures are fine.

8. It’s better to use 1:22.5 scale figures on or around 1:22.5 scale buildings. It’s okay to use 1:22.5 scale figures around downsized 1:20.3 scale buildings.

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The following photos show the majority of the structures that are currently on the layout. I have several structures that do not have a place on the layout. The Los Alamos depot, as you will see in two of the photos below, is sitting on a folding table. Other structures are on my workbench and others are under the layout.

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Notice the window and door in the photo just below on the right. In the very last photo on this page the window and door are gone, Well, they're still there I just photoshopped them out.