Ace Trains is a British company that makes tinplate reproductions of classic Hornby-style O gauge locomotives and rolling stock. Ace’s station canopy kit, distributed in the United States by Weaver Models, is its first structure.
And what a structure it is. The tinplate-style canopy is 24 inches long, a shade under 12 inches high, and, depending on how you configure the platforms, 141/2 to 161/2 inches wide. The openings on each end are 53/4 inches tall from ground level to the bottom edge of the half-circle windows. The canopy weighs a hefty 18 pounds.
With the adjustable platforms moved to their widest position, there is enough room for three O gauge tracks inside the canopy. Fourth and fifth tracks can be placed along the two outer edges of the canopy beneath the awnings.
All the arched and straight girders are made from nickel-plated, die-cast metal. The platforms, gabled roof, and awnings are lithographed sheet metal. The windows are made of a Plexiglas-like material. Black printing divides each of the 14 window sections into smaller panes.
It took me three evenings to assemble the canopy. The legs and arched girders are held together with metric-size machine screws and nuts. The platforms, sheet-metal roofs, and smaller girders that hold the window panels in place are assembled with self-tapping machine screws. In all, the kit uses 84 slot-head screws, enough to make you appreciate the invention of the Phillips-head screw. (Phillips-head screws, however, would be an anachronism for a prewar-style train or structure.)
A few of the self-tapping screws were a struggle to thread, and a 5.5-millimeter wrench was a big help tightening the nuts that hold the main girders together. Also, one of the awnings bowed slightly when I lined up all of its mounting holes.
It took me a few minutes to understand how the platforms with their elongated mounting holes are adjusted inward and outward on the eight legs of the main arches. The left and right platforms are interchangeable, allowing you to position the platforms about 2 inches in or out from the center of the structure, depending on your layout needs. Small ovals of sheet metal that look like floor drains are used to fill the gaps in the elongated platform holes.
All the parts are clearly marked, and there are extra screws and nuts of each size in case you lose one on the floor. Ace provides a multi-page instruction booklet with numerous diagrams and a full parts list. While this is not a difficult kit to assemble, past experience building things like bicycles, metal utility shelves, and Erector sets is helpful.
The canopy kit also comes with two stairwells for the imaginary tunnel connecting the two platforms, two 12-inch lithographed platform extensions, and two 8-inch ramps.
Since the Ace canopy is a kit, it does create a lot of opportunities. You can build the canopy with or without the two side awnings. You can shorten the canopy by building only two sections instead of three and still use the platforms at full length or trim them with tin snips. You can put two or more kits side by side, or you can put them end to end without doubling up on legs, although you won’t be able to use the extra outer arches without grinding down some of the trim details.
The nickel-plated finish on the girders can be spray-painted. If lithography is not your cup of tea, you can lay sheets of masonry-patterned styrene over the platforms and shingle-patterned styrene over the roof and awnings. Styrene strips can also augment the printed windowpane outlines.
With the platforms placed wide apart, there’s enough shoulder room for two Standard gauge tracks inside the canopy. Standard gauge trains need about 61/2 inches of vertical clearance, so you’ll need to trim or remove the end windows. You can even shoehorn a pair of Large scale tracks inside the canopy.
Grand passenger trains, be they tinplate or hi-rail, need an equally grand destination. With Ace Trains’ station canopy, that destination can be added to your layout.
Very Cool. I want one of these!
nice i could use one,it looks great