The detail is as accurate as we've come to expect from Scalescenes, both inside and out, and is suitably grimy in the right places. It could have benefited from a more weathered look, but that is easily applied with a wash-n-fix with appropriate products.
Of course, it can be printed as OO or N, and comes in several brick finishes.
As is becoming more frequent with these kits, there are also etched windows available from Brassworks, which add to the price, but can make all the difference, especially if, like me, you're a bit clumsy cutting out the window frames!
A final note - for all of you building modern image layouts, and who want to include a deserted, dilapidated, almost ruined coaling stage, this would be an excellent starting point. With the addition of a few boarded up windows, removal of the staircase, and some weeds to add texture, it could be made to look thoroughly tumble-down.
So, either as an in-use, or an ex-use coaling stage, this is a good model; as usual you need to have the patience to either layer up cereal box card, or buy thick card (thereby increasing the price), but the advantages are in the quality, appearance, and size of this kit.
There are alternatives, from Metcalfe, Ratio, Hornby, and Scenecraft, among others, but they just don't look as good.
It is less complete, and looks a bit basic next to the Scalescenes model pictured above. However, if you don't have a decent printer, and want something pre-printed with the correct colors, and which will also probably be the same coloring as other Metcalfe kits already on your layout, it's a good alternative.
On the plastic kit side, and for those who have a smaller layout, with less available space, Ratio's coaling stage looks realistic.
On a similar note, and for those who like red-brick, Hornby also have a reduced size coaling stage, pictured below.
Again, it's basic, but realistic enough to include on most layouts, provided that it is suitably weathered and filled with a coal look-alike to add realism.
All of the products featured here can be found by a simple search on Amazon, or a similar search on eBay.
The eBay product list contains pictures taken by real people of the products on their layouts, which are often a good way to see how they might actually look, so I'd recommend starting there, even if you return to Amazon to buy the actual product.
As always you can use the comment feature to start a conversation with other readers, or simply use the feedback form to email me your thoughts.
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