Micromodels were published in Britain between 1947 and 1957. Each
set usually contained 8 cards, each measuring 3½"
by 5", in an open paper wrapper. The cards contained the
parts of the model to cut out and build. As the name implies,
the resulting model was, certainly by today's standards, small
and Micromodels adopted the slogan "Your Workshop in a Cigar
Box". Model subjects included architecture, aircraft, ships
and, most numerously, railways.
First issued in 1949 with a reprint in 1954, the Micromodel set
LS1 comprises eight cards from which it is possible to build a
country railway station, an island platform, foot-bridge, signal-box
and signals.
There are two platforms to make and each comes in two parts. Each
part comprises the platform surface with sides to turn down and
glue together. As there were only butt joints to make these, I
cut some tabs from scrap cards and used these to make the corner
joints stronger. The two parts of each platform are then joined
together and I found they had a tendency to rise at either end.
This was corrected when the buildings were placed thereon and
when I glued the whole to a base. The station buildings themselves
are fairly straightforward. There are two canopies which require
supports. I found thin styrene rod to be effective in this. The
roofs are then surmounted by chimneys and the finished buildings
located on the platforms. The footbridge is made of three parts,
the stairs either side and the span. While the bridge is all enclosed,
I was a little disappointed that the entries to the stairs have
no steps showing, but this could be easily remedied by the ingenious
modeller.
The third building in the set is the signal box, again pretty
straightforward.
One of the trickiest parts of the kit was the making of flights
of steps for the booking hall and signal box. In each case, the
risers are attached to one side of the flight and must be folded
over and glued to the other side. As the risers are quite small,
there is not much opportunity to use tabs for gluing, so I made
some very careful butt joints. The fun starts when the treads
have to be applied individually, but, with a bit of patience,
the final effect was quite reasonable.
The kit also includes station signs, benches and a set of signals.
Once I had finished the buildings, I mounted the whole diorama
on a piece of board.
Sadly, Micromodels never produced any track cards. However, their
predecessor, Modelcraft published several straights, curves and
points. I reproduced several straight lengths on an inkjet and
laid two tracks between the platform. Modelcraft straight track
is now available as an inkjet reprint at £3 for 10 lengths.
I must confess that I had long thought this set rather boring
- just a collection of oddments rather than a proper building.
Having made it, however, I think I was wrong. The finished diorama
is delightful and all that is needed is some engines and rolling
stock travelling through the station - and with Micromodels, there
are plenty of those to choose from!
Christopher Cooke