Product Review - G scale Corrugated Metal

Copyright 2021 Nicholas Kalis

Copyright 2021 Nicholas Kalis

These trusses will be covered by corrugated metal panels

Review

G Scale Engineering
5739 Chemin Monjeau
Ste Agathe Des Monts
Quebec Canada J8CON6
831 359-7227

www.gscalecorrugatedmetal.com
Jeff Howard
jeffhoward3000@gmail.com

Anyone modeling sugar cane plantations can probably use a supply of corrugated steel panels for constructing the various buildings seen on the real thing. If you are modeling in 1:24 or 1.20.5 this may be the product for you. I hope to use this product on my 1:20.3 engine house that follows a prototype from Waipahu, Oahu: I felt any difference in scale between Howard's product and my modeling efforts was inconsequential.

Jeff Howard scaled this product from an actual corrugated roof panel of 1900 vintage that was 26" wide and 10 feet long. His product is in answer to what he saw as the unacceptability of plastic and aluminum offerings. The samples I received are 1.25" wide x 5" long. He offers this product as tin-coated low carbon (mild) steel wall and roof panels. The samples I received seem of a gauge that they would also be appropriate for outdoor use in a garden railroad - they seem thicker and stronger than that of their competitors. Readers should be aware that Northeastern Scale Lumber also produces G scale corrugated metal roof in 3" x8" sheets with five to a bag (this product SKU GCORRMRFB comes five to a bag). The competitor's product is aluminum. Another competitor is Plastruct whose PLS91521 PS-26 come in sheets 11.1 x 7.1 x  0.19 inches. The Plastruct product comes two sheets to a package and is made of plastic. 

While I have my readers' attention, I would caution modelers to be a bit cautious about weathering structures featuring corrugated steel. Countless modeling articles go so far as to encourage modelers to use acids of a sort to achieve weathering effects. I have looked at photos of corrugated steel structures associated with railroads in Hawaii and have concluded that these structures have aged considerably less than some modelers imagine - even decades after the plantation railroad had ceased operations. I think the problem comes when modelers see structures that have been abandoned for decades and seek to replicate that. Before embarking on extreme weathering/rusting, modelers need to ask, is this really how these structures looked when the railroad was operating? The answer may just well be "no". Now if you are seeking to show a structure that was abandoned decades before the era you are modeling, then that may be a different story - weather away!

I should add that finding information about the sizes in which corrugated steel panels were made during various eras can be a bit of a challenge - perhaps someone can share with our readers their findings on this subject?

Jeff describes himself as a "Senior Mechanical Engineer with a passion for developing products". He invites modelers to contact him for quotes on copper and recycled aluminum panels. Howard's web site www.gscalecorrugatedmetal.com has a nice gallery of photos of his product in use. I have to add that Howard has a cool business card made out of his corrugated steel offerings.

Copyright 2021 Nicholas Kalis

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