Has anyone tried making containers to put on flatcars? You know the 20’, 40’, 53’ ones? I cannot justify $8 per container, that’s just way too expensive.
You might try searching eBay for some cast resin ones. They are undecorated so you would have to paint and decal them yourself.
After reading what I just wrote, $8 doesn’t seem too bad a price. (I just finished decorating a bunch of containers for N scale.)
There’s a web site in Germany where you can download free printable containers and wrap them around a wood block or leave them hollow if printed on cardstock. I don’t recall the URL off-hand, but a Google search might be able to find it.
I think the web site’s name was something with the words “paper shipping containers.”
This isn’t the one I found a few years ago, but here’s one to get you started:
I’ve made a few through the years. Things like door details, stacking pins, corrugated sides, etc., are time consuming, but it depends on how much into modeling you are. I never put any decals on mine, so that would be another consideration. I think you can buy sheet styrene with a corrugation that is close, or make smooth sided containers. I guess you have to pick a prototype, and go with it.
Check out A-Line Models, they have undecorated containers that sell for about $8.00 for a package of 2. I picked up a few of these to make a trash train. The seller on eBay was $7.99 plus $3 or $4 for shipping.
I agree with you on the price of containers. Most big brand names sell the 3 pack of current run container models for $30 - $40. ??? Come on!
Mike.
Is this what you were thinking of?: http://www.igshansa.de/igsdownload.html
Awesome team! I have another one for you in the Layout sub forum. I think my son and I will make many with this technique.