Its not a bad name, I actually kind of like the name, But also tip when you have the chance I would start designing the website and logo and getting Shopify setup for purchases and a Domain/URL bought too, I use Wix (its easy to work with in my opinion)
Thanks! As a self-proclaimed Professional Image Editor, I had to get the logo done as soon as I developed the company’s name…
I wasn’t planning on using a website (Ebay sees a good deal of traffic, especially from cheapskates) until SSC was well-established, but I’ll keep Wix in mind. Thanks for the tip.
Yeah, Of Course!
If you ever need help setting up a website or want designs, let me know. I can prototype different versions of the website if you want me to 
Thanks!
@Engine_1988 Yes, the materials for your reverse unit may only be $10 or less, but the entire cost to produce one, or 50, or even 100 will exceed $30 each easily when you figure in all costs associated with production.
Maybe; maybe not. I’ve been doing a lot of research into this.
As part of your research, what are the costs to tool, produce, and set up for making a run of your ‘injection-molded shells’? Specifically who is making the mold for the shell and detail parts, and who is setting up to put the various color schemes on the shells after production?
Added to what Woke said, how big is the market for what you want to produce. Just having schemes of railroads that run in ND isn’t a good selling point. How much does commercial building rent cost where you’re at? Will it require a power upgrade?
Woke_Hoagland
I’ll have to consider most of the initial tooling costs as simply a loss. I’ll probably wind up sinking several hundred dollars of my own money into it before I can start doing anything. I intend to make some tooling myself, as well as to outsource some to Xometry. No, I do not yet have the exact numbers own how much it will cost. And what do you mean by “who is setting up to put the various color schemes on the shells after production”? Just to be certain that there is no confusion, I’m manufacturing full locomotives–not just shells–and will be painting them with my own company, rather than outsourcing them.
Backshop
I never intended just to manufacture ND roadname trains. It’s just that I intend to concentrate somewhat on them. For example, it would be more important to letter something for Canadian Pacific than Union Pacific and if I had to make a choice I would go with the CP. While the North Dakotan market is very small, the market for cheapskates is not. While commercial buildings may become a problem eventually (and I would buy one, not rent it if possible), until the company expands significantly it will remain a “cottage industry”. And an electrical upgrade will only be a problem when SSC gets big enough.
Several hundred dollars in startup costs? I wish you luck… 
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Thanks, but that’s not really startup costs. Startup costs are gonna be a little less because I’ll start with a freight car before moving up to a locomotive. Less tooling to start with. And, as far as tooling goes, several hundred dollars is pocket change…
i got a few questions so would these trains run O-27?
if so how much weight can you pull per engine? will you have more designs then passenger? and would they be compatible with older transformers?. plus will they still have a horn loud enough to run wildlife off the tracks.
Yes, they are going to be designed for 027 operation. I haven’t built any yet, so I don’t know about pulling power. I’d assume it’d be slightly better than single-can-motored MPC stuff like my SD18 or something. I don’t think I mentioned passenger anywhere; I wanted to start with freight traine equipment. Probably got lost in the chaos of all the “this isn’t financially feasable!”. Though, for that matter, I would get to passenger eventually too. Since my primary transformer is a Postwar Lionel Type V, I certainly want them to be suitable for use with such power supplies. As far as the horn goes, it’ll probably be close to the horn one might find in a Lionel Postwar/MPC era product. The only wildlife that I’ve been able to run off the tracks with that (since she’s the only wildlife my trains have encountered) is my cat.
For what it’s worth, and although largely ignored by serious collectors and operators, K-Line did produce a battery operated radio controlled SP Geep set with 3 cars that ran on plastic rails for less than $50 if I recall correctly. I had one. It was obviously made in China.
I certainly wish you success! I would like to see the paradigm shift that people have been predicting come true, that manufacturing will become decentralized and individualized, somewhat along the lines of publishing. Train manufacturers haven’t been making anything I want for decades. Perhaps you will, or maybe someone doing similar projects will. The big manufacturers have demonstrated no loyalty to me, and so I feel no loyalty to them. I haven’t bought new in I don’t know how long.
I hope to see pioneering efforts like yours succeed. There are many factors, but perhaps–just perhaps–. . . .
Thanks!
Also, what, specifically, is it that you want? I could always keep it in mind for additional product ideas!
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I’ve never heard of that before. Perhaps it might be an option for expanding my own railroad’s roster.
Largely what you want. But my problem is that I prefer steam. I want simple steam–and, unlike many others, I don’t object to plastic steam if that’s how I can get simple engines that actually look like the prototypes I am after. I don’t need excessive amounts of details (to break off), and I don’t need expensive electronics.
My problem is that, sort of like your preference for ND-area roadnames, I am looking for ones that are relatively obscure: Frisco, MoPac, T&P–and their subsidiaries. I am converting an old AHM ten wheeler into a Mississippi River and Bonne Terre loco, and I am kit-bashing from the AHM 0-8-0 a St. Louis & Iron Mountain → MoPac 4-8-0 Elephant. Alas! neither will run on 3-rail track.
But I’d love to see 2-8-0 that looks close enough to one of the classes on these roads, likewise in plastic, that is 3-rail. or maybe a ten-wheeler. Or how about a Frisco 2-10-2 drag engine?
I know that no steamer will cost $50. I will pay 4 or 5 times that without blinking for a simple engine that looks like the prototype but lacks anything but transformer control. It need not even have a whistle. the only real detail enhancement i would like is decent valve gear. Put a weight in the boiler to make it heavy enough to pull a small train, and I would be happy as a clam. such an engine would even be -bashing fodder for the more adventurous among us.
Just something to think about for the years down the line when you are established and are looking for a new addition to your repertoire.
I’ll keep that in mind. Probably a 2-8-0 would be a good choice, as a number of railroads seem to have had them (up in Harvey, ND, there’s a SOO Consolidation on display if I remember correctly) I’ve considered both plastic or diecast for steam. I did have the idea of 3D Printing detail parts; that would maybe make it simpler to include steam power with its various details. Valve gear would likely be similar to this: A Lionel Photo Album - #78 by Eric1946. (maybe a little better even) Add some weight? Absolutely! I would probably include a good motor-driven whistle in the tender though, and I doubt it would cost more than $100.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Have you even priced tooling for injection molding? Even 1950s level of detail is still not going to reduce the cost of the dies that much especially produced in the US. I would talk with a Tool and Die shop. To make injection molding economical you need to produce product at large volumes, too. To amortization the tooling over the productionyou will need to be in the thousands of units. Under 1000 is probably better to consider 3D printing. Popular road names should also be included to keep volume up.