General Information

The Kingsway range of card kits provides a way of displaying scale model vehicles in an appropriate diorama. At present most of the kits are to 4mm scale; correct for use with OO scale model railways and EFE model buses. There are also some kits in 2mm scale N gauge suitable for use with the Oxford diecast N gauge bus models.

Most of the kits depict London Transport bus garages of both the Central and Country Areas. There are also some Underground Stations and other London Transport buildings. A Provincial range has recently been introduced representing garages of other bus companies. So far, Southdown, Crosville, Eastern National and East Kent are represented although it is hoped that this range will grow substantially - if you have any suggestions and especially photo references then please let me know.  

Bus Garages and Railway stations are large structures and so the majority of the kits depict the building frontage only. The original concept was to provide a diorama setting on which to pose model buses. To this end the majority of the models will fit quite nicely onto a bookshelf. As with any modelling, the result will depend upon the effort expended. Colouring the cut edges will dramatically enhance the finished model. Printed drain pipes may be covered by plastic rod or wire to give a 3D effect. The addition of street 'furniture'  and figures will complete the scene. Take a look at the Inspiration page to see what others have achieved.

An excellent description of how to make the most of these kits can be found at http://www.themodelbus.com/tips/Reigate.htm

 

	Kit contents - card sheets, thin card, instructions, posters.
Cut out parts with sharp knife using steel rule for straight edges.	Colour edges with pen or pencil. An exact match is not usually necessary - often a 3B pencil will do the job.
Window layer goes behind openings. Other layers will go on the outer wall to give further relief.	Completed model

The models produced are quite robust but ideally should be affixed to a base - perhaps a piece of hardboard which can be coloured to represent a road surface (grey car primer is fairly cheap and easy). A plain white or sky coloured sheet of card could be used behind the buildings and is especially helpful for photography. Addition of further items such as paving, lamp posts, figures, street furniture and of course vehicles will considerably enhance the scene. Take a look at the Inspirations page to see what can be achieved.

Suggestions of further prototypes, in particular from outside London, are always welcome, especially when photographs are available. My own knowledge is rather London based, so I would appreciate some 'provincial expertise'!

Thanks are due to my friend, Clive Greedus, who has worked hard to photograph many of the remaining LT garages and has had to endure many conversations as to what exact shade of brick would be most suitable for a particular kit. He devised the ingenious folding doors system used in some of the kits and you will find some photos of his beautiful dioramas on these pages.