Thanks for the compliments. But I can't take much of the credit. Most of the credit goes to the model itself. I just put the pieces together!
This particular one is in N-scale. But when you buy them (I think they're all $2.95 apiece) you can download any or all of three scales (HO, N and Z). N-scale was the most practical for me. HO wouldn't have fit on the mantel as well, and Z would be way too small for me to assemble...
I've done other paper models, and have even made some of my own; so this wasn't a first attempt. The lighthouse can be done as complex or as simple as you like. It's designed so that the more difficult details can be excluded and the model will still look good.
The most difficult paper model I've ever assembled was one of Thomas the Tank Engine by Takahiro Kojima. Here is his web address:
http://member.nifty.ne.jp/papermodel/
I'd suggest using Babel Fish, unless you can read Japanese...
The Thomas models are at:
http://babelfish.altavista.com/babe...ty.ne.jp/papermodel/htmls/Mymodel/Mod00j.html
These are really nice models. I intend to rebuild Thomas since he's gotten kinda worn (and I think I can do it better the second time). I plan on making all of them, eventually...