# HO Loco & Service Shop
**URL:** https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329
**Category:** HO Scale Builds
**Created:** [April 21, 2026, 4:50pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329 "2026-04-21T16:50:15Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@tommich](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/tommich)
#### Post date: [April 21, 2026, 4:50pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/1 "2026-04-21T16:50:15Z")
I’ve liked this kit since I purchased it when it first came out. The time has come to build it. I’m building mine HO standard scale. It’s also possible to build in narrow gauge. I will go through the build with more progress photos than step by step progress. Although there are other builds on this forum, there are not many but I have used these previous builds for inspiration and ideas. So here we go!
With the wall framing laser cut it makes wall construction much easier than previous kits that the framing had to be assembled stick by stick. While some may find board placement tedious I enjoy it. The wood was distressed with a wire brush, then stained using an alcohol based leather dye, then damp brushed with white craft paint. In the photos the doors and windows are already added. Next up the floor.
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### Author:  [@KKarns](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/KKarns)
#### Post date: [April 21, 2026, 5:01pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/2 "2026-04-21T17:01:10Z")
All right Tom! The Loco & Service Shops kit is such an iconic SWSM HO/HOn3 masterpiece. Excited to see you build this beauty and will be following along for sure. Great start on the walls with well done different color and finishes between the outside and inside. Paint peel looks spot on, well done.
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### Author:  [@Curt](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/Curt)
#### Post date: [April 21, 2026, 9:18pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/3 "2026-04-21T21:18:44Z")
Tom excellent job so far. I’ll be following with intrest.
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### Author:  [@ALCO](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/ALCO)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2026, 4:05pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/4 "2026-04-22T16:05:47Z")
Grain and Stain: A+
Precision Craftsmanship: A+
Will be following this one!
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### Author:  [@tommich](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/tommich)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/5 "2026-04-22T16:12:42Z")
Thanks Ken, Curt & Al. So far it’s been a lot of fun to build. I have high hopes for the final product.
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### Author:  [@Kevin.L](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/Kevin.L)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2026, 10:28pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/6 "2026-04-22T22:28:37Z")
Nice work, would be great if Bret produced this kit in On30.
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### Author:  [@admin](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/admin)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2026, 10:47pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/7 "2026-04-22T22:47:46Z")
Off to an awesome start Tom. Really looking forward to your build! Thank you for taking the time to share your progress, much appreciated.
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### Author:  [@admin](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/admin)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2026, 10:48pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/8 "2026-04-22T22:48:36Z")
Definitely looked into producing this kit in O Scale but the cost would be prohibitive.
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### Author:  [@RayKnight](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/RayKnight)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2026, 11:55pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/9 "2026-04-22T23:55:29Z")
Tom I really do like the way your siding turned out, those hanging doors are perfect. I really am looking forward to seeing your progress.
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### Author:  [@TravisS](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/TravisS)
#### Post date: [April 23, 2026, 3:00am UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/10 "2026-04-23T03:00:16Z")
Great start Tom. I too have always liked this one and it will be up next once I get restarted on my adventure. I’m glad you’re ahead of me so I can use this thread as a reference. Peeled paint cam out very very nice.
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### Author:  [@tommich](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/tommich)
#### Post date: [April 23, 2026, 5:09pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/11 "2026-04-23T17:09:36Z")
The floor is pretty straight forward. I’m using HO standard Gauge code 70 flex track. I’ll dirty up the floor more as I get into placement of details.
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### Author:  [@Curt](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/Curt)
#### Post date: [April 23, 2026, 5:13pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/12 "2026-04-23T17:13:38Z")
The decking looks very well done Tom and I really like the coloring. I think it will be a good base for oil and grime.
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### Author:  [@tommich](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/tommich)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2026, 6:16pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/13 "2026-04-24T18:16:53Z")
Thanks Curt, that’s the plan.
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### Author:  [@tommich](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/tommich)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2026, 6:19pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/14 "2026-04-24T18:19:24Z")
Next up I added the walls to the floor. The structure is attached and ready. Following the instructions up next is the water tank, but I’m excited to detail the interior if this structure.
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### Author:  [@ALCO](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/ALCO)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2026, 6:56pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/15 "2026-04-24T18:56:00Z")
This man means business! Museum quality already! Keep it coming.
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### Author:  [@Pennman](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/Pennman)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2026, 7:01pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/16 "2026-04-24T19:01:51Z")
TOM,
I have this kit and partly started but have yet to start the floor.
Your modeling is an inspiration and this build is one I will follow. Thanks for sharing.
Rich W.
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### Author:  [@tommich](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/tommich)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2026, 4:50pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/17 "2026-04-25T16:50:32Z")
Thanks Al, I am excited about this build. Rich, glad I could help you get back to building this kit. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it. There aren’t many builds listed on the forum for this kit so any more inspiration would be greatly appreciated.
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### Author:  [@KKarns](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/KKarns)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2026, 7:36pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/18 "2026-04-25T19:36:37Z")
Great coloring and execution on the floor boards Tom, really nice!
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### Author:  [@Curt](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/Curt)
#### Post date: [April 26, 2026, 4:16pm UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/19 "2026-04-26T16:16:27Z")
Outstanding Tom. The walls go perfectly with the flooring. I look forward to seeing your progress on this build.
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### Author:  [@TravisS](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/u/TravisS)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2026, 3:38am UTC](https://sierrawestforum.discourse.group/t/ho-loco-service-shop/329/21 "2026-04-27T03:38:43Z")
Floor looks great!
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