All, I just looked at shapeways for locomotives shells..I saw a Bombardier HR 616 the price is. $50 and some odd change. My thought here is who in their right mind would would spend between $30 -$50+ for a locomotive shell! Tom
Well, if you want just 1 or 2, and they will work on a manufactured mech, why not? Better than waiting for them to be made. Besides, the rule is 10 minutes after the finish dries, someone announces then in RTR.
Someone who really wants a unique loco and is willing to work for it. Most of the work is finishing the shell. If you know how to shop around for a mech the parts cost will be in line with mid-tier RTR locos.
I've been debating getting one of the Baldwin center-cab shells. They are supposed to fit on a C628 chassis.
I have been tossing around the idea of a box cab. N scale does not have the selection of locos as HO scale, so many people either scratch build their own locos.
I have two locomotive projects that have come from Shapeways... A small electric switcher that I modified from a Baldwin Westnghouse that is very specific to a module on our layout. The second is a Fairbanks Morse H10-44 switcher, a signature locomotive for a Milwaukee Road modeler. Neither of these are now or probably ever be commercially available so Shapeways fills the bill nicely. Remember that a large percentage of the cost pays for the many hours of design work it takes before even one printed shell is produced. The shell may seem expensive but I have created unique models that become much more valuable (at least to me) than the sum total of all the parts. Just my $.02
Who in their right mind you ask? Me. But it depends on the locomotive model the shell is representing. If it was a GE B23-S7 then I would have no problem ponying up the funds to add to my Monogahela locomotive fleet. I would have more time money spent in parts of other shells attempting to kit bash a couple of these.
There is a couple of different boxcab shells on Shapeways that fit the 44 tonner mechanisms I already have and another that fits the Bandai 3 mechanism that I also have. Something that I would be tempted to spring for.
If a boiler shell for a steamer that would fit one of my freelanced roads was to be produced I would pay double and then some for such a product. I am not able to build something from scratch so I have little choice in the matter... I either buy what I can get or do without and although my modeling projects are way, way behind other priorities I would be glad to "pony up" what I need to to gain what I want.
