Ratio - 232 - Structure, Building, Commercial, Merchant - Commercial Structures

Specific Item Information: Many merchants had private sidings where they could be supplied directly by rail. This kit includes office, loading platform, hoist and can be constructed in a number of ways. The Peco range of wagon loads (e.g. NR-203 Timber Loads) for 10 and 15 ft. wagons provide realistic deliveries to these types of premises. Supplied with pre-coloured parts although painting and/or weathering can add realism; glue is required to complete this model. Footprint 85mm x 60mm

Road Name History: Commercial structures are any buildings or other man-made structures whose principal purpose is trade. These can be high-rise officer towers, gas stations or fruit stands. Any structure where end-user customers come to buy things from sellers of that product or service are consider commercial structures.

This group will therefore include quite large as well as quite small buildings. Models of these buildings might be kits or pre-assembled. They might be painted or undecorated. They might come with a host of accessories and figures or they might be fairly Spartan.

Brand/Importer Information: Ratio Scale Models was started in 1950 by Jack and Dev Webster, producing fine coach kits made from sheet plywood pressings in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire. They commenced manufacturing plastic kits in 1959 and the name was changed to Ratio Plastic Models. The factory was moved to Goring-on-Thames in 1961, and to Sturminster Newton in 1972. As the range continued to grow, they moved to larger premises in Buckfastleigh in 1986. Ratio was sold to PECO in 1996; production now takes place at a new factory in Buckfastleigh, along with the Wills and Parkside ranges.