Whether you're planning your first layout in N gauge or thinking of making the switch from OO, you might be wondering...
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What is a panel line?
Panel lines can help give life and realism to a model. These are the gaps or joins that you would see on the real-life prototype of a model between the metal panels that make up its bodywork.
All large forms of transport have their outer bodywork made up from many smaller panels. Sometimes, if the design work has been carried out with aesthetics or aerodynamics in mind the panel lines will be barely visible as on a plane, but they are there, and on a model, it is quite noticeable when they are not represented and result in the model looking toy-like or at best, basic.
Panel lines are also evident between the different features of a vehicle's body, for example, between a door and the main body (often referred to as the shut lines) or around the grills and vents etc. So most modern models will have panel lines moulded into them.
Some modellers like to accentuate panel lines when weathering a model to mimic the dirt and grime that would naturally build up in the joins between panels as the vehicle gets older.
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