Fos Scale Models- Unique Structure Kits

Fos Scale Models- Unique Structure Kits Fos Scale Models — crafting unique HO scale structure kits for over 24 years.

Explore 100+ original kits and our growing line of 3D-printed figures, Humanity to Scale. We have been producing model railroad structure kits since 2002, starting with the release of Big Lou’s Grill. For over twenty years we have strived to live up to that unique little kit, by offering original, uncommon designs. Our kits include in-house, precision laser cut parts, metal cast detail parts, 3D Printed Details, high quality plastic architectural parts and scale lumber.

08/15/2026

Our subscription app my have mischarged a shipping fee on some Kit of the Month Subscriptions, if so we will be refunding that amount within the hour. Sorry for the mixup.

A Quick Note About AIThere have been a few comments recently about whether AI is used in creating some of our figures, s...
08/14/2026

A Quick Note About AI

There have been a few comments recently about whether AI is used in creating some of our figures, so rather than let others answer that question for us, I thought I would.

Of course we use AI. It's incredibly useful.

I also use Photoshop. I use 3D modeling software, laser cutters, resin printers, a computer, a camera, paintbrushes, and sometimes a good old-fashioned pencil and piece of paper.

They're all tools.

I've never claimed anywhere that AI isn't part of my process, nor have I tried to hide it. I can't even imagine where someone would have heard that. In fact, I think it would be rather foolish not to take advantage of new tools when they can help me turn an idea into a better finished product.

AI doesn't decide what figures I want to make. It doesn't know what will work in HO scale, what poses will tell a story on a layout, what details need to be exaggerated or eliminated, or what will actually survive being printed at 1:87 scale. There is still plenty of editing, modifying, scaling, testing, printing and sometimes starting over before something becomes a product I'm willing to sell.

I've been designing and manufacturing model railroad products for nearly 25 years, and the tools I've used have changed tremendously during that time. I don't think using a laser cutter makes a kit less creative than cutting everything by hand with a knife, and I don't think using Photoshop makes artwork less legitimate than doing everything with a pencil.

I feel the same way about AI.

For me, the important questions are pretty simple: Is it my idea? Am I creating something interesting that didn't exist before? And is the finished product something I'm proud to put our name on?

That's the standard I've always used, regardless of which tools happen to be sitting on the workbench. Below is one of our new figures, designed using our imagination, maybe a brief pencil sketch and fully realized in AI. Feel free not to purchase them. Or, shop here to see over 100 unique figures and poses that were never thought possible without AI:

https://fosscalemodels.com/collections/all-figures

A Quick Construction Note on Freight Door OpeningsWe wanted to clarify a construction detail that has come up regarding ...
08/14/2026

A Quick Construction Note on Freight Door Openings

We wanted to clarify a construction detail that has come up regarding the freight doors in some of our kits.

Our laser-cut walls are typically 1/16" thick, and the freight door openings are designed to be trimmed with the supplied 1/16" square stripwood.

The important part: the 1/16" square stripwood is glued INSIDE the door opening, against the exposed edge of the laser-cut wall — not to the face of the wall around the opening.

The diagrams below show this trim highlighted in green. Once the inside edges of the opening have been trimmed this way, the supplied freight doors are designed to fit the finished opening.

It's an easy construction detail to overlook, particularly since there are several different ways door openings are handled in structure kits. If the stripwood is instead applied to the face of the wall around the opening, it changes the finished dimensions and can create a gap around the supplied door.

We've used this construction method on many of our kits over the years, so we thought it would be helpful to post these diagrams as a quick reference.

As always, if something doesn't seem to fit during construction, feel free to contact us before cutting or modifying the parts. We're always happy to help clarify a construction step and get you back to building. - Doug

Address

Jewett City, CT

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Fos Scale Models- Unique Structure Kits posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Fos Scale Models- Unique Structure Kits:

Shortcuts

Share