1:48 Assorted Railings Setd

What the set offers

An assembly of railings of several kinds in 1:48 scale. A railing is a small thing in a scene that the viewer does not notice until it is missing: as soon as it appears by a stairway, on a walkway or along a platform, the structure starts to look lived-in and above all usable. How many pieces and which patterns the box holds is described by the manufacturer.

Where a railing belongs in a scene

A railing suits anywhere a living person could fall: at the edge of a ramp, on stairs, around an engine room, along a quay or on a balcony. That is exactly why it helps a scene tell its story even when nobody is standing in it. It pays to use it with restraint and above all continuously, because an interrupted run reveals at once that the element was only glued wherever it would fit. The posts should also stand at a regular spacing and upright; a leaning post looks like a fault rather than like wear.

Building and painting tips

The parts are thin and bend easily, so work with them on a hard surface and cut them off with a sharp blade a little from the part, then sand the rest down. Before painting, wash the surface, degrease it and apply a primer. A railing is easier to paint lying flat, before it is glued to the structure; when gluing, it is then enough to touch the joints in. A metal version comes out well with a dark base and lifted edges, and the paintwork can be suggested with chips and rust in the places where people hold the railing most often.

Who it is for

For builders of dioramas, vignettes and bases in 1:48 scale who are finishing off structures and platforms. Paints, glue, groundwork and the structure itself are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.