[Bruce Chandler]

I've had very good luck building with acrylic.

This building was made with 1/4" acrylic, covered with Precision Products brick sheets.

This boxcar was made from acrylic

I've also made boxcars from styrene, but they're just not as strong as the acrylic. It's lighter as well.

I've had no problems with the brittleness of acrylic. I find it much more rigid then styrene, and it's great for windows.

For cutting openings in other materials (to include styrene) I really like the little Micro-lux scroll saw.

I'll put in another plug for Russ at TAP Plastics. He's got lots of great ideas and is willing to work with you.

 

[Bruce Chandler]

rpc,
Thanks. The basic roof is 1/4" acrylic with acrylic bracing underneath, as the roof is removable. Here's a picture with the protective paper still on the opposite side:

Russ sold me some of the adhesive backed non-skid tread material. It comes in a roll and is about a foot high. I cut it into strips 2 1/2” wide - this makes them close to 4’ x 20’ in scale. These were applied to the acrylic. I used black glue (also from TAP Plastics) to put the tar lines on.