Interested in N Scale Container ships ? Need some feedback if you might be interested in a museum quality, waterline model such as this: At what price range would you be interested in ordering one ? These would be made from wood by museum model builders: Containers NOT included.
while i have an eye for things that are well replicated and or modeled, and i appreciate the art and beauty in the ability, myself and (i guesstimate 70%) of other modelers can't afford a museum piece. i recoil at the offerings on the bay at $125.00 or more for container ships. i understand the work and cost that must go into a first model but to try to get all your expenses back for each ten models sold plus a profit. i know you are trying to do this for monetary gain but for most NORMAL people to spend $100.00 for anything RR is a treat, not a necessity. to answer your question... if i had a museum $250.00-500.00 wouldn't hurt my feelings. but on my model rr $125.00 is just shy of too expensive. thanks for letting me gripe. good luck
Depending upon the ship chosen it could be from 3.5 to 6' long. But here, we are talking a smaller/mid-size con ship. It would take an order of 10-15 to get the model down to the $350-550 range. Typical museum quality models are $1,500 and up - and yes, ment for museums or ship collectors. Since we are model railroaders, we would just want a good scale representation. Some who model a port terminal may be interested. This is just a preliminary inquiry, as I had someone discuss this with me, so I am fishing for interest and information. Other options would be to convert/kitbash a plastic ship model into a container ship - anyone done this ? If, a suitable starting point could be found.
I model modern (mid '90's, anyway) intermodal, but no terminal on my layout, and no space for a model of the size you are describing, so a no for me....
I went the scratchbuilt route. The project is still not completed and has been very involved, so a built-up model would be a benefit to anyone who does not want to build their own. The most expensive part has been outfitting the ship with containers, so I've built some false container blocks that go in the center of the stacks. Since I've got a scratchbuilt one started, I probably won't need one....unless they're just too nice to pass up. Russ
May I suggest a mural of a container ship? I had wondered how I could work that kind of scene into my layout. I'm thinking about putting one where I was / am going to put a city scape. Just a thought. Straight up I can't see myself ever allotting the kind of space it would require. Speaking of which, how much space would be required for a modest inter modal shipping center?
Interesting question. I think that a 500-footer (37.5 inches) might be as long as anyone could accommodate on a model railroad. That would be a small container ship by today's standards. Museum quality? I don't know. Museums, and the US Navy, pay a lot for museum quality models--up to $30,000 the last I looked ten years ago. That included containers. What details do you want on the bare hull plus superstructure? I could probably carve a hull for about $150, plus material costs, as mahogany is expensive these days. Add another $200 for a basic superstructure. After that, the details would be extra. And all of this would be unpainted--which is probably not museum quality. I've built about 15 N scale ships, ranging from harbor tugs to C-2 freighters. I wouldn't sell any of them for less than $600 for the small ones, and $3000 for the bigger ones, and $8000 for the best of them.