I guess I watch 'Tiny Houses' too much on HGTV. My fantasy dream home is made up of containers. It used to be boxcars but, well, maybe a combination. I've been trying to design one in paper but have to acknowledge it is jut not the same. In any case I wonder if a smaller company making semi-custom products would consider a home made from 'containers'? It might include: 'Floor to Ceiling Windows' - so one could decorate / populate the interior Out buildings for a 'shop' or visitors or a train room Lighting - Wrap-around-deck Roof-top fire-pit An exterior ladder up A slide down from the top Yes, I recognize this is likely a one off idea that very few would be interested in persuing or having on their layout but, still, I'd be interested in a 'show of hands' Meanwhile I'll try to make a card stock version.
I've often thought about when it's time to retire and downsize I might go that route too. Problem here in the county I live it's verboten. But then so is living in camp trailers and RVs which my current neighbor is doing and it seems the county is powerless to do much about it. I'd LOL but the neighbor is a true dirtbag in every sense. I wonder if you can find some used containers for you layout at a cheap price and maybe experiment with cutting them up. A hobby knife, straight edge and some patience. Card stock and or scale lumber for awnings decks and such.
Actually not a far fetched Idea. I got curious and googled the idea....container homes....and was impressed. I dont think it would hard to use the cardstock n scale ones if one wanted to design and actually make a scale one. Hmmmmmmm
There are several internet sites that have printable N scale containers and I think it would be possible to mount them on card stock. I printed out a batch that I mounted on wood sized to fit for a lot of my containers.The advantage is that they print in color so you have the container features such as ribs and doors showing.
Well, long ago I made the strategic decision to save money by getting a laser printer. By doing so I would not print every pretty picture I found. The plan worked. Now, ironically, I need to find a print shop with a color printer. ☻
I have been looking for 'blank' containers / templates. Even as I type this I have already begun to do my own. Standard ISO shipping containers in N Scale are Wide: 8ft (2.43m) = 0.6" = 1.5188cm High: 8.5ft (2.59m) = 0.63" = 1.66cm Long: 20ft (6.06m), 1.5" 7.625cm Long: 40ft (12.2m). 3", 7.625cm High-cube 9.5ft (2.89m) high. 0.7125" I'm doing it up in MS Paint The above numbers for prototype are from 'on line / google. The N Scale numbers are asking 'Alexa' to divide by 160.
It's the corrugated sides (as engineered for stacking strength) that might be tough to replicate. As for a residence, it'd need to be extremely well insulated, as the steel walls would amplify outdoor temperatures in the extreme.
@Hardcoaler Well, I guess that precludes 6' people. Put in 3"s of insulation / Wallboard all around, add a HVAC system and plumbing and you should have a cozy place for us shorter people. I guess we would have to go with a stack. Put bedrooms and baths on lower level with Kitchen dining and living spaces on upper with the floor to ceiling windows, better views, and access to the top. Of course, a deck all around the top too. Well, I can dream.
@Hardcoaler Great ! Picture! Thanks! @mtntrainman //note to self: 'Cathedral Ceilings' in the train room.
Blank 40' Container - No Detail Just a blank 'outlines' of a 40' contain and a 'double stack' of 40'ers. These are on a 'PNG' file set to 8.5 X 11 and should print easily. I personally will use them for 'homes' and other non-railroad purposes. Well, wait, maybe on well cars but ya know? Those well cars better have passenger car wheel sets.
They make entire buildings out of old containers now too. There was a 5 story hotel planned near where I live that was going to be made completely of retired containers. This idea has almost endless possibilities.
I converted a 20 footer to a cabin. It has a small bathroom with toilet, sink and shower, two windows, a door and the end doors open up to expose a screen wall. The interior before furniture and screen wall installed. Still working on the extra roof here.
