I have done base-level research into tooling; I think that by using Xometry for some and doing some myself will be the best method. By the way, there is at least one tool and die company in town here. No, 1950s detail levels are not a huge advantage in tooling cost–in fact, I might make quite a bit more molded-on detail. It’s the separate detail that’s the problem; that requires a longer assembly line, more workers or more automated machinery, more actual tooling, and a lot more money just for fancier handrails that will be broken off two seconds after it is unboxed (or, worse, while it’s being boxed). Production quantities only in the thousands, though? This isn’t gonna be any o’ that limited run junk! I want to do popular prototypes and make them until the tooling wears out entirely! Also, can everyone please remember that (1) ND roadnames includes stuff like BNSF, the GN, the NP, the Milwaukee Road, and so on and so forth and (2) I am not limited to ND roadnames!
Also, now that everyone has happily eviscerated my locomotive plans, I will put forward here some of my railcar plans.
Would any of you want to buy a modern-style black tanker? For less than $15?
Don’t get discouraged! 
I would were I buying modern rolling stock AND my shelves were not already overflowing. My pike is set in the early part of the 20th century. I think you will find a market for such pieces: many operators out there, and only a tiny fraction are here (so far).
Certainly! Part of the reason I selected a modern tanker is because Menards does not really have a black modern tanker and I see no rationality to buying a Lionel tanker for more than $50!
Thanks for the feedback!
I’ll try not to…
Maybe it’s next door to “Gunpoint”. You know… the place that everybody goes to get robbed? 
so im curious will you be making coal porters as well? i mean like the bathtub coal porters lord knows i cant have enough of them on my wax and mining lines
I want to make them eventually (I see lots of them and other similar cars here).