Hi, With the poor economy, my main line of business is not going well. I've noted lately the threads about the lack of availability of modern structure. I have good model skills, and a degree in architecture. I have a part time morning job at a self serve car eash, and was thinking: What if I built copies of the car wash in HO and N scale, would they sell? Would there be any interest, I would offer it in lighted and unlighted, I'll endeavor to post pics of the actual building tomorrow, it is an attractive California structure with stucco walls and terra cotta roof, plus has an apartment on the top. What retail range whould be the price point? Any thoughts? Eric
I would think as long as you had the owners WRITTEN permission to copy his car wash...why not. The "Pink Elephant" car wash sells for around 40.00 U.S. Make yours...sell em for a lot less...deal in volume and ya may have a winner...JMO. .
Eric, What is sorely missing in N scale is large warehouse style buildings, anything that was built in the late 70's up till today. We have tons of brick style buildings, but very few prefab cement style buildings. Nu-Line used to have nice modern warehouse kits, but they went under. But I'd think any modern warehouse style kit would sell good, even if you made them in individual wall modules (like what DPM does). This might give you a price comparison, since Summit makes modern style kits. http://www.summit-customcuts.com/ -Mike
That is the car wash I would purchase. Dead ringer for the hundreds upon thousands in the area. Very nice.
Stucco walls and terra cotta roof says Southwest USA to me. Northern and Eastern modelers will not go out in droves and buy it. Carwashes are also a modern thing and those who model the transition era probably won't buy it either. So your market is considerably reduced.
Unless it has a railroad track layed up to it I don't really see the need. Many people get too carried away modeling the whole town, myself I'm going to limit it to the railroad right-of-way or just across the street from the right-of-way. I don't see the need to model a part of town that the train does not go thru with the limited space I have. The last two N-Scale magiznes had both large layouts, one with a lot of wasted space modeling the town, the other just modeled the yards. to each his own, just putting my point of view out there, even thru I model more modern times, I don't know if a car wash would fit in. I would bet some one could come up with a photo showing a carwash next to a railroad, but unless it was cheap, I most likely would not get one, spending what cash I have for modeling on building that could have a rail line up to the door.
I don't understand why one of the major companies that make trains and buildings don't start making more modern equipment and structures. It doesn't make sense to me, especially in this day and time. These same companies need to also make more dummy locos in N scale. There are not many available and with N scale sound coming of age I would think these would be a hot commodity. I don't understand many of these model railroad companies. Walthers seems to not care what the customer thinks. Most of these companies websites like Kato, Atlas and the like are poorly done and hard to navigate. I think there is a lot of money to be made with a little more effort from these people. Do they not read these forums? Hey Sillystring ??? Where did you get the drink and snack machines for your buildings? Are they scratchbuilt too?
I have to partially agree with Jolly on this. I'm not saying everything needs a track next to it, but generally the non-railroad serviced structures will be a small percentage. Non-railroad structures need to at least be something you would find close to trackside. So, you might find a car wash, gas station/convenience store, or apartment complex, but you wouldn't likely find a nice restaurant, half-million dollar house, or a library. (again, as a general rule. I can name a dozen exceptions to each of these myself probably)
The soft drink vendors come from a peter guy, plus he makes other things. I bought about 50 buck worth of his castings and they are great,highly recommend him if you need venders. I like the hot dog stand as well.
As you read this keep in mind that the demographic with the most disposable income that is likely to be spent on a hobby is those over 45yo of age. These are the people whose children are on thier on and their mortgage is almost paid off but are still working full time and likely to be at the height of thier career. 20 somethngs are much more likely to spend thier disposable income on instant gratification. I don't understand why one of the major companies that make trains and buildings don't start: Making more modern equipment and structures. - Based on the "Age to era modeled" thread it is clear that the biggest market for those with the most disposable income is for "Transition Era" trains and by extension structures to go with it. "Make more dummy locos in N scale". This is a thread unto itself and you can rest assured it is not going to happen. In my opinion the manufacturers know they don't have to and there is more profit in powered units. "Most of these companies websites... are poorly done and hard to navigate." Websites like other things are easy to critique until you try to build one yourself. I don't mean to be condescending here but it truly is not as easy as it looks. PWRS spent $250,000 and 3+ years to build theirs. Feel free to start a thread in the "Cattle Car" to debate this, (I don't want to hijack this thread). "I think there is a lot of money to be made with a little more effort from these people." Put together a business plan and go for it. In ecconomic times like these it is the innovative people who will flourish. "Do they not read these forums?" Yes and no. Microtrains and Traincatz do for sure. If the others do they are more stealthy about it.
I have to respectfully disagree. A lot of railroads pass 'through' a lot of towns without stopping. Any town/city on any layout deserve as much attention to detail as the railroad line that passes through it. It's the whole layout that catches peoples eyes...not just how perfect your trackwork looks or how well you ballast it. Unless you are modeling say JUST a yard in a limited space then give the scenery...all of it, including the 'little people' who live there...its due diligence... JMO :tb-cool: .
