Bruce Von Stetina builds custom buildings and trackside structures for model railroad layouts
of any scale. Bruce’s scratch built models are all one of a kind, and they will make your train layout stand out. If
you buy a Von Stetina structure, you’re not going to see anything just like it on someone else’s layout.
Bruce builds in a variety of materials; he uses whatever
will give the best and most realistic look. For instance, a metal structure would be made of metal, a wooden structure wood.
Special attention is taken to make sure that all elements are in the correct scale, in order to achieve a totally realistic
look and avoid any feeling of “clunkiness” that can happen if anything is made a little too large. No detail is
too small to overlook – the padlock and hasp on a door, the electrical box, etc. everything that’s there on the
life-sized structure is included. Bruce likes to add extra small details that make it look as if people are really using the
piece. Repairs in progress, tools lying around or paint being touched up. If it is a lighted structure, Bruce likes to have
the lights in place and working. Interior detail can also be added if desired. One of Bruce’s pet peeves is the clunky
look of commercially available animals, for a little extra he can work on them to make them look far more realistic. For the
larger scale pieces, Bruce can use actual fasteners, tiny nuts, bolts, washers, screws etc. It costs a little extra, but it’s
worth it!
Bruce builds from plans or photos. He
can also work from your drawings or designs, or create custom structures. If you have a kit
that you would like to have built, Bruce can build, paint and weather it, and add some custom details that will personalize
it for you.
If you wish to purchase a structure marked “sold”,
Bruce can make another off the same set of plans. The two pieces do not have to look exactly the same, small details can be
changed or added to personalize the piece and make it unique to your layout.
If you would like to have work done, please email Bruce
at vsart1@embarqmail.com for a price quote and time frame. As well as the scale and type of structure you’re interested in, please let us know
if you have plans, photographs, drawings or a kit available to work from, or if you’ll need us to do some research or
custom design. If you’re not sure you can afford one of Bruce’s models, ask anyway. We like to work with customers,
and we believe that there is always a way to build you the structure you want. For example, if you can’t afford the
big engine house you’ve been thinking about, something smaller might work just as well on your layout.
Model of the 25 ton coaling tower,
receiving pit and sand storage tank that served a small DSS&A yard in Marquette, Michigan. HO scale, Brass and wood construction. SOLD
Model of the 150 ton Chicago,
Rock Island and Pacific coaling tower at Waterloo, Iowa. HO scale, made from hardwoods:
maple, holly and lemon. SOLD
Coaling tower.
HO scale model, SOLD
Branch Line Bucket Coaling Station. These were quite common. A handful were found on Milwaukee Roads Branch Lines, and one on the main line
at Rondout, Illinois. HO scale - 3 1/2" wide, 4 1/2" long, 4 3/8" tall. $300.00
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company
water treatment plant and water tanks, built in 1884 at Rincon, New Mexico. HO Scale, SOLD 
Sand house under construction. HO scale, SOLD
Water
tower and pump house. HO Scale, made from scale basswood. SOLD
Water tower undergoing repairs. HO scale, SOLD
HO
scale model, #1 Stock Pen. Built for an ATSF layout. SOLD
HO scale model #2 stock pen, with two-level ramp for loading two-deck stock cars. Built for an ATSF
layout. SOLD
This model was based on photos of St. Luke's
Old Stone Church in Lanesboro, Massachusetts. This was made from Bruce's own masters and molds. Urethane plastic, styrene
plastic and copper, with a 23K gold leafed cross. The model is lighted. HO scale - 6" wide, 9 7/8"
long, 11 7/16" tall. SOLD
Wooden trestle bridge. HO scale,
12 5/32" long, 3 ¼" wide, 4" tall. (90 scale
feet long). Abutments 7 1/8" wide, middle span is 5" wide x 2 3/8" clearance, guardrail
points supplied for installation, timber abutments attach to span
with locater pins. Nickel silver code 83 rail, code 70 guardrail,
rails hand spiked to the wooden ties. SOLD
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