What is a downloadable model kit?
A downloadable model kit is a digital PDF file that you purchase and download directly to your computer. At Scale Model Buildings, we have been producing high-quality printable model railway buildings since 2019.
Once you place an order, you’ll receive an email containing a download link. Simply click the link, save the files to your computer, and you’re ready to start building. There are no expiry dates or download limits, and once the files are saved, they’re yours to keep.
You can print the kits as many times as you like, making them ideal for multiple layouts, practice builds, or replacing parts in the future. All you need is a printer, paper or card, and basic modelling tools to create detailed scale model buildings at home.
Can I try a Scale Model Buildings kit before I buy?
Yes, absolutely. Scale Model Buildings offers two free printable derelict building kits so you can try our models before making a purchase.
You’ll find the “Try Before You Buy” button at the top of each page on our website. These free downloads allow you to experience the download process, printing, and construction techniques used across our full range of printable model railway buildings.
The trial kits are a great way to test print quality, scaling, and build methods, and to see how our models will look on your layout before committing to a purchase.
Can I sell the built kits on eBay?
You may sell an occasional, surplus built model that you have personally constructed from a Scale Model Buildings kit, for example a one-off item on eBay.
However, selling multiple copies of models made from the same downloaded kit, or producing items specifically for resale, is considered commercial use and is not permitted. This includes selling built models on eBay, Etsy, at shows, or through any other sales platform.
We monitor usage closely, and all kits are protected by copyright. This policy ensures we can continue designing and producing high-quality printable model railway buildings for genuine hobby use.
If you are interested in a commercial licence, please contact us to discuss your requirements.
How can I pay for kits?
All payments for Scale Model Buildings kits are securely processed through Gumroad, our trusted digital sales platform.
Gumroad accepts the majority of credit and debit cards, as well as PayPal, making checkout quick and convenient. Payments are protected using secure SSL encryption, and your card details are never stored by us.
Depending on your location and preference, you can:
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Pay using your PayPal account
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Use a credit or debit card without needing a PayPal account
Unfortunately, as all products are delivered digitally, we are unable to accept cheques, postal orders, or cash payments.
Can I get a refund?
Because our products are digital downloads, we’re generally unable to offer refunds or exchanges once a kit has been downloaded.
However, if you’ve made a genuine ordering mistake, please get in touch with us as soon as possible and we’ll do our best to help. We’re a small independent business and always aim to be fair and reasonable where we can.
This policy allows us to continue offering high-quality printable model railway buildings while keeping prices affordable for everyone.
My download email doesn’t have any links to click on. What should I do?
If your download email doesn’t show any clickable links (usually displayed as blue text), please check that your email settings are set to “View as HTML” rather than plain text.
Some email apps or security settings display messages in plain text by default, which can hide download links. Switching to HTML view should make the links visible.
If you’re still having trouble, please email us at info@scalemodelbuildings.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help you access your files.
I’ve accidentally deleted or lost my download. Can I download it again?
Yes. If you’ve accidentally deleted or lost your download files, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help you regain access to your purchase.
Simply email us at info@scalemodelbuildings.co.uk with your order details, and we’ll take it from there.
Can I print onto self-adhesive label paper?
Yes. Self-adhesive backed paper works very well for card-mounted prints and can make assembly quicker and cleaner.
Simply print the kit pages onto the adhesive paper, then apply them directly to the card thickness specified in the instructions before cutting out the parts.
I’m not sure my printer can print on heavy card. Is that a problem?
No, that’s not a problem at all. Our kits are designed to be printed onto paper, not directly onto heavy card.
Once printed, the paper is then mounted onto card, using one of three recommended thicknesses: light, medium, or heavy. The card thickness required depends on the scale you are building in, and this is clearly explained in the kit instructions.
This approach means almost any home printer can be used to build Scale Model Buildings kits successfully.
What skill level do I need to build the kits?
Scale Model Buildings kits are designed to be straightforward and enjoyable to build, making them suitable for beginners as well as experienced modellers.
Our models use a simple method: you print the building textures, then mount them onto card backing and assemble the structure. The designs focus on clean shapes and minimal fiddly cutting, so they’re easy to follow and forgiving if you’re new to printable kits.
Because the kits can be printed as many times as you like, you can always reprint a part if you make a mistake, making them ideal for learning, experimenting, or customising your models.
What glue to use to mount the prints?
Through our own testing, we’ve found that card glue such as Roket Card Glue works extremely well. We’ve also successfully used UHU glue sticks and double-sided tape with good results.
Glue sticks are particularly effective when applied evenly and generously, as they don’t tend to wrinkle or bubble the paper and allow a short time for repositioning and smoothing before the glue sets. For best results, gently rolling or pressing the sheet after mounting helps ensure a strong, long-lasting bond.
What do I get when I buy a Scale Model Buildings kit?
When you purchase a pack from Scale Model Buildings, you’ll receive a downloadable pack of PDF files for the buildings you’ve chosen.
Each building typically includes one PDF per structure, and in some cases two or three PDF files depending on the complexity of the model. Alongside the building files, you’ll also receive a separate PDF instruction guide with clear, step-by-step, illustrated instructions for resizing the model to any scale.
All files are supplied in high-quality colour PDF format, ready to print on standard A4 paper or card. The kits can be resized to suit any model railway scale, allowing you to adapt them for OO, HO, N, or other scales as required.
Simply download the files, open them using a PDF reader such as Adobe Reader, print onto your chosen paper or card, and follow the instructions to assemble your model railway building.
What scale are the kits in?
All Scale Model Buildings kits are supplied in British OO scale (1:76) as standard.
Every kit includes a simple resizing guide, allowing you to easily scale the models to suit any model railway scale, including N, HO, or others. We also provide a dedicated webpage here that demonstrates the resizing process step by step, making it straightforward even if you’ve never resized a printable kit before.
This flexibility means you can use the same kit across different layouts and scales without needing to purchase multiple versions.
Can I share the files with a friend?
We kindly ask that you do not share or distribute our PDF files.
Each Scale Model Buildings kit represents a significant investment of time, skill, and resources in design and development since our founding in 2019. Sharing files undermines our ability to continue creating new and improved printable model railway buildings.
Your purchase grants you a personal licence to download and print the kits for your own use as many times as you wish, but the files themselves must not be copied, shared, resold, or distributed in any form.
We truly appreciate your understanding and support, which helps us continue producing high-quality printable model kits for the model railway community.
Can I order pre-printed kits?
Yes. If you don’t have access to a printer, Scale Model Buildings offers a selection of pre-printed model railway kits through our eBay store.
You’ll find a “No Access to a Printer?” link at the top of every page on our website, which takes you directly to our eBay listings. All pre-printed kits are produced in the UK and are carefully prepared to the same high standards as our downloadable versions.
We ship internationally via eBay, with postage costs automatically calculated based on your location. Shipping is calculated from the UK and added to your order total at checkout, so there are no surprises.
Availability of pre-printed kits may vary, so please check our eBay store for current listings.
My order has been processed but I haven’t received an email with my download links. What should I do?
Once your order is complete, your download links are sent by email and are also available on the confirmation page immediately after checkout.
If you haven’t received the email, please check the following first:
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Check your spam, junk, or promotions folder, as automated emails can sometimes be filtered incorrectly
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Make sure the email address was entered correctly during checkout
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Check that your mailbox is not full and can receive new messages
If you still can’t find the email after a short while, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help you access your files.
When I try to open the PDF file, I’m getting an error message. What should I do?
If you’re seeing an error message when opening a PDF, please make sure you are not trying to open the ZIP file directly in Adobe Reader. ZIP folders can’t be opened inside PDF readers and will cause an error.
Instead, open the ZIP file using File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS), then extract the contents and double-click the individual PDF files to open them.
We also recommend ensuring you’re using the latest version of Adobe Reader, as older versions may have difficulty opening newer PDF files.
If the problem continues, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
What kind of printer do I need to print the kits?
Any colour printer that can print on A4 paper is suitable for printing Scale Model Buildings kits. Both inkjet and colour laser printers work well.
For larger kits or more complex projects, access to a colour laser printer can be an advantage. Laser printers are generally cheaper per page to run and offer consistent colour quality, making them popular with regular builders. However, many customers successfully build our kits using a standard home inkjet printer.
Can I resize the kits to another scale?
Yes. All Scale Model Buildings kits can be resized to other scales using your printer’s built-in scaling options. Simply enter the required percentage in your printer’s page scaling or print size settings.
We provide a resizing guide with every kit, and we also have a dedicated page that explains the process in detail.
Please note that enlarging kits to larger scales may require page tiling when printing, and you should also adjust the card thickness recommended in the instructions to suit the new scale.
My prints look different to the textures shown on screen. Why is that?
his is normal and usually due to differences between screen colours and printed colours. Images displayed on our website are shown in RGB colour (screen-based), while the printable kits are produced in CMYK colour (ink-based).
Because of this, and because different printers, inks, papers, and settings all affect output, some minor colour variation is inevitable. In most cases, these differences are small and won’t affect the overall appearance of the finished model.
If colour accuracy is critical for your project, we recommend printing a test page first and adjusting your printer settings if needed.
What if I make a mistake while building the kit?
No problem at all. Because our kits are printable, you can simply reprint the section that went wrong and try again.
This makes Scale Model Buildings kits very forgiving and ideal for learning, experimenting, and customising your builds without worrying about mistakes.
Build the Ultimate Model Railway Layout – Instantly and Anywhere in the World
Bring your model railway to life with our collection of printable model buildings designed for OO gauge, HO scale, N scale, TT scale, and more. Each design is available for instant digital download, allowing you to print, cut, and assemble stunning buildings right from home. Whether you’re creating a rural countryside scene, a busy industrial yard, or a vibrant city layout, our models are crafted to add realistic detail and character to every project. Every file can be easily resized to fit your chosen scale using our simple step-by-step resizing guide, ensuring a perfect fit for any layout. With easy assembly, affordable designs, and worldwide access, you can start expanding your railway collection in minutes – no shipping, no waiting, just instant creativity. Download. Print. Build. It’s never been easier to design the model railway of your dreams.
