Scratch Building & Kit Building

From time to time, our customers discover that our range of laser-cut model kits, whilst extensive, may not precisely address their particular vision.

In such cases, we are pleased to showcase examples of remarkable scratch-built models and thoughtfully adapted kits that demonstrate the creative possibilities available to the discerning modeller.

Rail Model takes pride in supporting the scratch-building community. We are delighted to supply individual component parts extracted from our kit collections, and we equally welcome the opportunity to assist with sensitive modifications to our own designs, ensuring that your bespoke requirements are met with the same care and attention to detail that define our brand.

What is Kit Bashing? 

This is the practice of modifying or combining commercially available model kits to create something different from the original design. Rather than building a kit exactly as the instructions show, a modeller might alter its shape, swap parts or add extra details to suit their railway. In short, kit bashing means using a kit as a starting point rather than a fixed design.

What is Scratch Building?

Scratch building in the model railway world means creating a model from basic materials rather than assembling a ready-made kit. The modeller plans, measures, cuts and assembles the parts to produce a building, locomotive, wagon or scenic feature.

Scratch building is especially useful when no suitable kit exists, when a model needs to fit a specific space, or when the aim is to capture a particular real-world location.

In short, kit bashing adapts an existing kit, while scratch building creates the model largely from the ground up.

Photos below provided by Mr J Godbolt, with thanks from Rail Model, some backgrounds have been adjusted.

A scratch built version Malvern Wells Main Station.

Rail Model Chudleigh Goods Shed (below) - with added plastic brick walling rather than the standard lapboard finish

A kit bashed version of a card kit.