Coal merchant office and staithes - OO9/OO/HO based on Tettington building

This kit depicts a typical Coal Merchants office with Coal Staithes. The building takes its design influence from a building at Tettington Station.

The coal staithes are a single piece FDM wood filament print and are 59mm x 44mm x 25mm high. Laser cut glazing is also included that drops into place for the office windows.

When painted this is a nice addition to any layout, using normal car primer and acrylic paints. The pictures show the painted versions which are not included.  

We print and make our own models here in the UK using high detail resin. The sale is for the unpainted building, laser cut glazing, coal staithes and a separate chimney pot.

Finishing: All items are cleaned and cured by hand. They are unassembled and ready for you to prime and paint. We do our very best to remove support marks but some fine sanding may be required. All pieces and parts come unprimed and unpainted with all supports removed. Please do bear in mind that resin can be quite delicate so try to avoid dropping your parts! Sadly, we can't be held responsible for breakages once your item has arrived. However, if the piece is broken in the post, please provide images and we will of course see what we can do to help. 

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FAQ – Product FAQs

Coal Merchants Office with Coal Staithes – FAQ

What exactly is included in this kit?

The sale is for the unpainted Coal Merchants office building, a separate chimney pot, the single-piece FDM wood filament coal staithes, and laser-cut glazing that drops into place for the office windows. All parts are supplied unprimed and unpainted.

What are the dimensions of the building and coal staithes?

The office building footprint is 39mm x 35mm and it stands 55mm tall including the separate chimney. The coal staithes are 59mm x 44mm x 25mm high.

What materials are used to make the model?

The building is printed in high detail resin. The coal staithes are printed in FDM wood filament as a single piece. The window glazing is laser cut to fit the office openings.

Is this kit based on a real building?

Yes, the design of the office takes its influence from a typical Coal Merchants building at Tettington Station, making it a good fit for a small station scene or as a standalone merchant’s office.

Is the model supplied painted or assembled?

No, the model is supplied unassembled, unprimed and unpainted. The photos you may see are painted examples to show how the finished model can look; painted versions are not included.

Where is the model produced and shipped from?

All models are printed and made in the UK using high detail resin, cleaned and cured by hand, and shipped from stock ready for you to paint.

How should I prime and paint the model?

The model is designed to be painted using normal car primer followed by acrylic paints. Apply a light, even coat of primer first, allow it to dry fully, then build up your acrylic colours in thin layers for best detail and finish.

Can I use enamel paints instead of acrylics?

The kit is described as being painted with car primer and acrylic paints, which is a proven combination on this resin and wood filament. If you choose to use other paint types, test on a hidden area first to ensure compatibility.

Can this building be used for anything other than a coal office?

Yes, the building can be used as an office or merchant building on its own, so it will sit nicely on a small station or in a general goods or yard scene.

Is any coal or scenic material included?

No, the kit includes the coal staithes themselves but not loose coal or other scenic materials. You can add your preferred coal scatter or scenic products to suit your layout.

Do I need any special tools to work with this kit?

Nothing exotic is required. A fine file or sanding stick for light sanding, a sharp hobby knife, and your usual modelling paints and brushes are generally sufficient for preparing and finishing the parts.

Are instructions included?

The kit is relatively straightforward, with the main building, separate chimney pot, coal staithes and drop-in glazing. If you are familiar with basic model assembly and painting, you should find it intuitive to put together.

My model arrived with a broken part – what should I do?

If the piece has been damaged in the post, please take clear photos of the damage and contact the seller. They will review the images and see what they can do to help. Breakages after safe delivery, such as drops during handling, cannot be covered.

Some surfaces have faint marks – is this normal?

Yes. All items are cleaned, cured, and support marks are carefully removed by hand, but some fine sanding may still be required. Lightly sand the affected areas with fine abrasive to smooth them before priming.

The resin feels delicate – how should I handle it?

Resin can be quite delicate, especially on finer details, so handle the parts gently, avoid flexing thin sections, and try not to drop them. Work over a soft surface if possible to reduce the risk of damage.

The glazing seems a tight fit – how can I install it safely?

The laser-cut glazing is designed to drop into place. If it feels tight, check for any small resin ridges or primer build-up around the window openings and carefully remove them with a sharp blade or fine file before trying again.

The coal staithes look slightly different from the building surface – is that expected?

Yes. The coal staithes are printed in FDM wood filament, while the building is high detail resin, so the surface character will differ slightly. Once primed and painted together, they will visually tie in on the layout.

Do I need to wash the parts before painting?

The parts are supplied cleaned and cured by hand, so they are ready for you to prime and paint. If you wish, you can give them a gentle rinse in lukewarm water and allow them to dry completely before priming, but it is not strictly required.

How should I attach the separate chimney pot?

Test-fit the chimney pot first, then fix it in place after priming (or after base-coating, if you prefer) using a small amount of suitable model glue. Avoid excess adhesive, as it can mark the surrounding detail.

What is the best way to paint the coal staithes?

Prime the coal staithes with car primer, then use acrylic paints to pick out the timber and weathered surfaces. You can finish by adding your chosen coal scatter or painted texture to represent the coal heaps.