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Written by Paul D. Race for Big Indoor TrainsTM
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This page, new for 2009, contains free, downloadable patterns that simulate the lithographed printing used on classic tinplate train accessories in the early 1900s. I started creating these patterns in early 2009 for the Tribute to Tinplate(tm) projects that Howard Lamey and I have been assembling to help readers build vintage tinplate-style buildings and accessories to go with O, S, and Standard Gauge tinplate railroads. I based the first patterns on the brick, stone, and shingle patterns of specific antique tinplate structures. It wasn't long before Howard Lamey, who has created many vintage-style buildings with and without my help, figured out how to make his own patterns and apply them to inexpensive cardboard buildings for a classic look. In fact, once we had a few of these patterns available, it was relatively simple for Howard to "repurpose" designs he had originally made for other kinds of projects into tinplate-looking structures. As an example, a water tank Howard designed for a Halloween-themed railroad just needed a bit of new "wrapping" to take on a very vintage look.
Our Tribute to Tinplate projects include additional patterns, such as the storefronts shown in the photo above. But we have provided the patterns on this page to help you design your own vintage-style buildings for your railroad or Christmas village. Note about Scales - Most tinplate buildings made to go with tinplate trains were not built exactly to scale. Like the trains themselves, most of them were a bit undersized. The doorways, on the other hand, were often large enough to admit scale or oversized figures. Brick and siding patterns were also often oversized, to make them easier to see from across the railroad. When you are planning a project, print sample sheets to decide which doorways and patterns will look the best with your trains and with any buildings you already have. Please let us know if there's some particular texture you need. We may have a preliminary version available that we could "move up in the queue" for your benefit. LegaleseNote: All of these images are the copyrighted property of Family Garden Trains(tm). By downloading a graphic resource from this web site, you accept the following conditions:
Roof TexturesTar Paper/Flat Roof
Tile Roof
Note: Additional tile roof patterns are available on the Halloween and Fall Textures page and on the Christmas Building Textures page. Shingle RoofThese roof patterns were originally designed for use on specific houses such as the Vintage Tin-Style Cottage. So they have a "break" in the middle for the point of the roof. If the roof of your structure is larger, you will have to cut and paste to get the coverage you need. Also, the Large Scale/Standard Gauge (1:32) versions of these files are huge - too big to leave on our site indefinitely.WallsFor a more toylike look, try using one size "up" from the actual scale of your structures, especially on the bricks and siding.
Note: Additional siding patterns are available on the Halloween and Fall Textures page and on the Christmas Building Textures page.. Doors and WindowsFor a vintage look, consider using the O scale doors for structures that are to go with most holiday villages or O gauge tinplate railroads, even if you have S scale or smaller trains.
OthersThis section will a place for related resource materials.![]() Christmas Building TexturesIf you want to design your own buildings for a Christmas railroad or village, check out this brand-new addition - roof and wall patterns for making your own holiday-themed structures. The Christmas Building Textures page includes brick, siding, and roofing tile patterns in colors that are ideal for Christmas and other midwinter decorating. Patterns are available in three scales for all of your "big train" and Christmas village needs.
If you want to design your own buildings for a fall or Halloween village, the Halloween and Fall Textures page includes brick, siding, and roofing tile patterns in colors that are ideal for fall decorating.
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S Scale - O Scale Large Scale/Standard Gauge |
Please stop by every once in a while - we have several other textures to upload when we get a chance. Again, please contact us if you would like to see a particular texture.
Return to the Resources for BIG Indoor TrainsTM page.
The Tinplate Textures page provides most patterns in three different scales to help you find the best sizes for your existing railroad or holiday village.
This section includes several articles on building glitterhouses and typical accessories, including:
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Note: Big Indoor Trains(tm), Big Train Store(tm)m Family Garden Trains(tm), Big Christmas Trains(tm), and Garden Train Store(tm) are trademarks of Breakthrough Communications(tm) (www.btcomm.com). All information, data, text, and illustrations on this web site are Copyright (c) 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 by Paul D. Race.
Reuse or republication without prior written permission is specifically
forbidden.
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