West Coalton Station

Updated 3/24/2005

This model is Magnuson Models kit M517, "The Highlands Station". The kit is based on a prototype structure that exists just west of Chicago, in Hinsdale, IL, along the former Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy.

This kit was reviewed in the July 1979 issue of Model Railroader.  The review included some very helpful information that I used for completing my kit: - The jerkinheads for the roof are incorrect in the instructions.  If they are built according to the instructions, this small piece on the ends will not correctly meet the end gable. - The review suggests adding ridge shingles, just like it is done in reality. - The rafter tail soft metal castings do not have the rafters spaced properly.  The rafter tails are designed to butt against the wall.  However, the two end tails do not meet a wall.  So, I clipped them off and glued full length rafters made from 020x060 styrene to the underside of the roof.

To the right is a photo of the prototype I found on Chicago's Metra website.