Do you think model manufactuers shood make models that modelers have made up. I have made thounsands of engines and cars but havent sent any to the companies.
In responce to your post regarding Freelanced models I would have to say…no. Because, most of the fun and intrigue of the hobby is it’s ability to be taylored to the individuals needs and wants. Most companies porbably only offer a specific type of PROTOTYPE (that can be taken loosly) because they want to sell as much of a product as feasbly possible, and to offer a freelanced model would not be profitable for them. That is where the marketing niche of a Custom Builder (such as yourself) comes into targeting that specific market. Your abilities to adapt yourself to a changing clientel and smaller lot-sizes is better for you. Now it may not be a very lucrative venture ( if you break even with a liitle profit your lucky), but you have a customer-base you are going to have business. And most important offer a competetivly priced product with quality !!!
Remember this is only my opinion
I think some years ago, Westside Models tried to market a series of freelanced brass engines. I think they only produced a 2-10-0, and never produced another model. Some of the manufacturers have marketed “generic” equipment that was adaptable to a variety of roads. (I’m thinking of the Bowser 4-8-4. Bachmann’s doodlebugs also come to mind.)
Some shortened versions of passenger cars might also fall under this heading.
Walthers years ago had some humerous cars, a beer tank car that used a beer can for the body and a jailbox box car as well as some others. Doesn’t seem to have caught on.
Enjoy
Paul
Don’t forget Walther’s Oscar/Piker passenger cars - I think these are still in production.
There is a kit for “Olde Frothingslosh” pale stale ale in N, and I believe that Clover offers the decals in HO, and possibly other scales as well, but I don’t believe there ever was a prototype car
To some extent, the quality of the patterns and compatibility with a manufacturer’s material processes may also be determinants of what is mass producible.
Do you think model manufactuers shood make models that modelers have made up. I have made thounsands of engines and cars but havent sent any to the companies.
In responce to your post regarding Freelanced models I would have to say…no. Because, most of the fun and intrigue of the hobby is it’s ability to be taylored to the individuals needs and wants. Most companies porbably only offer a specific type of PROTOTYPE (that can be taken loosly) because they want to sell as much of a product as feasbly possible, and to offer a freelanced model would not be profitable for them. That is where the marketing niche of a Custom Builder (such as yourself) comes into targeting that specific market. Your abilities to adapt yourself to a changing clientel and smaller lot-sizes is better for you. Now it may not be a very lucrative venture ( if you break even with a liitle profit your lucky), but you have a customer-base you are going to have business. And most important offer a competetivly priced product with quality !!!
Remember this is only my opinion
I think some years ago, Westside Models tried to market a series of freelanced brass engines. I think they only produced a 2-10-0, and never produced another model. Some of the manufacturers have marketed “generic” equipment that was adaptable to a variety of roads. (I’m thinking of the Bowser 4-8-4. Bachmann’s doodlebugs also come to mind.)
Some shortened versions of passenger cars might also fall under this heading.
Walthers years ago had some humerous cars, a beer tank car that used a beer can for the body and a jailbox box car as well as some others. Doesn’t seem to have caught on.
Enjoy
Paul
Don’t forget Walther’s Oscar/Piker passenger cars - I think these are still in production.
There is a kit for “Olde Frothingslosh” pale stale ale in N, and I believe that Clover offers the decals in HO, and possibly other scales as well, but I don’t believe there ever was a prototype car
To some extent, the quality of the patterns and compatibility with a manufacturer’s material processes may also be determinants of what is mass producible.