Hey all! I’m Rob, and I have been a lifelong train nut. I have modeled N & HO gauges almost all of my life. I don’t currently have a layout, however a person in my town has an N scale layout for sale that I am contemplating buying. The problem is I’m in the process of selling my N scale stuff and switching over to HO. Obviously, I’d like to find a buyer for the layout. Then I got this idea…i’ve seen ads in model railroader for people who make custom train layouts, and wondered if that was a viable business. I enjoy designing & making layouts, almost more than the actual operating of trains. Secondly, I enjoy making my own structures, tunnel portals, signs, etc. I’ve been wanting to start my own business for quite awhile now, and it seems natural to me for the business to be something I enjoy. What I’m wondering, though, is could I really have a successful business custom designing/making layouts, structures, accessories, etc. And I don’t mean neccesarily successful in the dollar sense, though that would be okay (more train stuff for me), but successful in that I could actually sell stuff. My guess is that I should make some things, and try to sell them on ebay or something first.
I would welcome any and all suggestions, comments, & ideas.
Keep on “training”.
There are a couple guys that sell weathered cars on eBay and seem to do okay as a part-time work. I’ve seen some scratch-built structures on eBay as well, but the prices they get don’t seem to justify the labor. I’ve mused about it, but again, I can’t justify the labor.
You might do better doing custom work for individuals, although your challenge there would be marketing. If I was going to do it, I’d get a web-page that fully details your work with lots of photos. Then I would place a classified in MR & RMC to direct people to it.
Hey robster,
As a person building my first layout I wouldn’t expect you to make any serious money and you better change your ID (lol). The “blood sweat and tears” of building the layout makes it more “mine” and is an important part of the MR experience. I want the layout to represent my efforts and I think it will retain my interst longer. I want to see what I an do.
I believe most members feel this way. On the positive side a lot of modlers need help with track design and I’ve seen some requests from handicap people for layouts. Keep in mind that I thought self serv gas and drive in window would be just a fad.
Have a good weekend and the colder.than normal temps is going to be great next week for doing yard work, on the RR that is.
Bob
There are a few custom layout builders that apparently make a living from it. As was said, most model railroaders would prefer to do it themselves. And of those who would consider having a layout built for them, how many are prepared for the kind of $$ figure that would come from compressing years of work for most individuals into a few weeks/months. Still, the custom builders do exist.
I would think that one of the big issues for a professional layout or model builder (besides finding paying clients) would be to determine techniques that take a layout or model to a very good looking and/or operating level in minimal time. In other words, time efficiency has got to be high a priority. You have got to deliver some of what a customer wants soon after the order is placed, or the customer soon loses interest in both the order and in paying you.
As hobbyists, time spent on a task is generally not critical. Redoing a task several times to get it “right” is an accepted part of the hobby. “Re-dos” are death to a professional on a project - they drive both costs and schedule in the wrong direction.
The other critical task for a custom layout or model builder is listening to and understanding the customer’s dream. The customer is paying you to build his dream, not yours! Even if you understood the customer correctly from the beginning, customers can and do change their minds! Which will result in all kinds of ill feelings when the bill comes due. That’s why delivering before a customer has time to change their ideas and dreams is important. Or at the very least, frequent serious reviews with the customer to pick up on changes in direction.
These are some lessons learned in electronic systems project management.
Fred W
I’d say go for it. Don’t abandon your day job just yet but building custom model railroad stuff might be a good side business. If nothing else it’s something better to do in your spare time than sit around watching lousy sitcoms and banal reality TV.
There is a guy in NJ that’s always got a help wanted ad for people to help him build and install layouts, so there must be some kind of market there. I think the big thing is where do you live and where is your market going to be. The shipping costs and expenses for the set up crew are going to be quite high.(travel, food, lodging, ect.) I make some really nice ground foam and trees. I’ve been thinking about packaging them and trying my hand at the E-Bay thing. If you start small with minimal investment, you won’t be out anything if it doesn’t work out. You have to remember that most of us are forced to be do-it-yourselfers by our wallets.
Have you thought about just starting out by doing layout design for people? A lot of people need help getting their layouts planned out. They have a space, have ideas and can’t seem to get a decent track plan they can be happy with.
By going this route you will be able to see if there is really interest for your doing the complete job. It will allow you to slowly phase into a new profession. Because you would probably have to quit your other job to dedicate your time to the new job and get these layouts built in a timely manner.
You may just find that layout design is more fun with less headaches.