O Gauge WBC Beehives for adding realism to Railway Layouts

These are O Scale (7mm) WBC Beehives to add a touch of authenticity to your layout or any miniature setting. Crafted with precision and attention to detail, this model Beehive is based on the WBC beehives popular from the very late 19th century onwards well up to the 50's and beyond. Even today recognizable as the classic beehive. This one has a brood box with two supers above and even a detailed vent in the roof box. They come unpainted, but very easy to paint. 

Your order will come with the following : 
Two Beehives, 19mm x 16mm x 22mm high 
This listing is for two unpainted resin printed pieces in grey. Items shown painted are for reference only.

Finishing: All items are cleaned and cured by hand. They are unassembled (if needed). 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'll see what we can do to help.

FAQ – Product FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions – O Scale WBC Beehives

What exactly is included in my order?

Each order includes two unpainted O Scale (7mm) WBC beehives. Each hive measures approximately 19mm x 16mm x 22mm high and is supplied as grey resin printed pieces. Any painted hives shown in photos are for reference only and are not included.

What scale are these beehives suitable for?

These beehives are O Scale (7mm) and are ideal for O Gauge railway layouts and other 1:43–1:43.5 style miniature scenes where that scale is appropriate.

What type of beehive are these models based on?

The models are based on WBC beehives that were popular from the very late 19th century through the 1950s and beyond. They are the classic multi-tiered hives, with a brood box, two supers above, and a detailed vent in the roof box.

Do the beehives come painted or pre-finished?

No, the beehives are supplied unpainted and unprimed in grey resin. Any images of painted hives are to show how they can look once finished. They are ready for you to prime and paint in your preferred colours.

Are these suitable for outdoor garden railways?

The beehives are resin printed pieces intended primarily for indoor layouts and dioramas. If you plan to use them outdoors, you may wish to use suitable primers, paints and sealers designed for resin to help protect them from the elements.

How detailed are the beehives?

Each beehive is crafted with precision and attention to detail, including the brood box, two supers, and a vent in the roof box. They are designed to add a realistic touch of lineside or rural detail to your layout or miniature scene.

My beehive arrived with a broken part. What should I do?

If your beehive is damaged in the post, please take clear photos of the damage and contact the seller. While breakages after arrival cannot be covered, postal damage will be reviewed and the seller will see what can be done to help.

Are the beehives fragile?

Yes, they are resin prints and can be quite delicate. Avoid dropping or applying excessive pressure to the parts, especially thin details, as they may snap or chip.

There are faint marks or lines on the surface. Is this normal?

All items are cleaned and cured by hand and supports are removed before shipping. Very fine marks or slight surface texture can sometimes remain from the printing and support removal process. These can usually be smoothed with light sanding before priming.

What if a small piece snaps off while I’m handling it?

Resin can be brittle, so small pieces may break if stressed. Minor breaks can often be repaired with a suitable model or cyanoacrylate (super) glue. Take care when handling and dry-fitting to minimise stress on thin sections.

My beehive looks slightly warped or uneven. Can I fix it?

Very slight variations can occur with resin pieces. Gentle sanding on a flat surface can help level bases. If you encounter a significant issue, take photos and contact the seller to discuss options.

The surface feels slightly tacky. What should I do?

The models are cleaned and cured by hand before dispatch, so they should arrive fully cured. If a piece ever feels slightly tacky, place it in a well-ventilated, bright area (out of direct intense heat) for a short period to help finish curing, then wash gently with mild soapy water, rinse, dry thoroughly and proceed with priming.

Do the beehives require assembly?

The beehives are supplied as resin printed pieces and may be unassembled if needed. In most cases they are simple, with no complex construction required. Any separate parts just need basic model glue to fix in place.

How should I prepare the beehives before painting?

Preparation is straightforward:

• Inspect the parts for any remaining support marks or faint lines.
• Lightly sand any visible marks with fine sandpaper.
• Optionally wash in mild soapy water, rinse and allow to dry fully.
• Apply a suitable primer for resin models before painting.

What type of paint works best on these resin beehives?

Once primed with an appropriate primer for resin, you can use most common model paints, such as acrylics or enamels. Always follow the paint manufacturer’s guidance and apply in thin layers to preserve the fine detail.

Do I need to fill any gaps or imperfections?

Most pieces will only need light sanding. If you notice tiny pits or imperfections you’d like to hide, you can use a small amount of model filler or putty, sand smooth once cured, and then prime before painting.

Any tips for painting them to look realistic on a layout?

For a realistic finish, consider:

• Using muted, slightly weathered colours rather than bright, fresh tones.
• Adding a light dry-brush of a lighter shade to pick out edges and texture.
• Applying a thin wash of a darker colour into recesses to bring out detail.
• Finishing with a matte or satin varnish to protect your paintwork.

Can I glue the beehives permanently to my layout?

Yes, once painted and fully dry, you can fix the beehives to your baseboard or diorama using a suitable adhesive such as PVA for scenic surfaces or a small amount of contact or super glue for more permanent fixing.