The Bel Air Depot
"Track-side" view of the Bel Air Depot. The included shutters are by Grandt Line.
The
Bel Air Depot (Bel Air, Maryland) was built in 1883 for the
then-narrow gauge Maryland Central Railroad, later to become part of
the
Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad. An excellent article covering
nearly all
aspects of the depot was published in the Maryland and Pennsylvania
Railroad
Historical Society’s (www.maparailroadhist.org; 219 Princeton Lane, Bel
Air,
MD 21014; (717) 337-2834) TIMETABLE (Fall 2003, Vol. 19, Number
4), written by Rudy Fischer. The article
provided the information to develop this kit, and the historical
society is a
wonderful source for those seeking to learn more about the structure
and its
history. The article states the
structure served the railroad until 1958 and was razed in 1961.
View of the rear of the depot. Note the included doorknobs and lock plates.
Construction
of the depot is typical of many of our kits: an inner plywood
shell containing several interior partitions (for bracing and
view-blocking) is covered using peel-and-stick exterior walls of the
appropriate siding. In this case, the "drop" style siding has
been cut on the laser, which produces a much more prototypical
appearance than simple scribed siding.
The two chimneys were mastered and cast especially for this kit.
The "slate" roofing on the 2nd floor is a textured paper with a
peel-and-stick adhesive for easier application. The raised seam
roofing over the platforms is pre-formed aluminum. Decals are
included to decorate the depot as it was during three different time
periods. Overall, the building measures 4-3/4 x 7-1/2 inches, and
stands approximately 4-3/4-inches high (12 x 19 x 12 cm
high).
Plywood shell with interior walls
Exterior, laser-cut, peel-and-stick siding; platform roof braces
Extensive 2nd floor roof bracing, slotted and tabbed.
The 38-page, spiral
bound instruction manual contains 26 photos of the assembly, paint
formulas and techniques, useful tools, and suggestions as to what
adhesives to use.
Click the button below to purchase the Bel Air Depot kit in HO ($155 postpaid in US)
Purchase the HO BEL AIR DEPOT kit
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