Large Scale Central

Buildings for sale? Let's pretend

General Discussion
#1

My brother-in-law has gotten this bug in his ear that he thinks he can make a little money constructing handmade wood large scale buildings. I 'splained that the only way to make a small fortune in any hobby sector is to start with a large one, but he won’t be deterred. So now he wants me to suggest an unfilled niche. I suggested <$10 outhouses and <$20 generic small outbuildings. He has delusions of grandeur that he can make $200 scale houses, I said “for the 1/2” scale dollhouse crowd, maybe…"

He’s not listening. So maybe I’m the one that’s wrong, here?

So let’s pretend. If it was you, what would you make (size?, style?, scale?, Why?) — He has a nice home carpenter shop, knows how to make jigs and fixtures, and has access to all kinds of scrap lumber too… and these dreams of becoming a model mogul.

#2

Generic structures that directly support railroad operations: loading docks, warehouses, coal bins, elevated tanks, anything that might be found immediately adjacent to the tracks.

As to scale, well, I model in 22.5:1…no, wait, it’s 20.3:1…or was it 24:1?

Just my opinion.

Steve

#3

Have him read the first paragraph of this web site:

http://mysite.verizon.net/bryie/pcgrs/

#4

I should add, I doubt he’s thinking ‘finescale’, or even particularly ‘cabinet grade’… rather solid, well built, and generally suitable for indoor or out.

#5

I model 1:20.3, and build my own buildings.
But having said that, it takes me a long time due to to many irons in the fire.
A row of “old west” buildings for my town would be something I might consider.
All attached, like a movie set.

#6

Seriously, if someone made 1/20 or 1/22 scale birdhouse type buildings but used doors instead of birdholes and they didnt fall to peices after one winter I would think they would sell OK, but too detailed and they will be too expensive or too large, their is someone seling “handcrafted” wood buildings on Evilbay already, they are mostly small and between $20-40 bucks, I think that is the range he should start at, NO ONE will pay $200 for a house off the internet buildings, the market just isnt that strong. $200 better get a giant factory or mine stamp house complex. He needs to SERIOUSLY look at WHAT is selling and for how much BEFORE he starts production.

#7

Birdhouses can be quite interesting if done right :wink:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3btjAslx-OY&feature=player_embedded#!

#8
Victor Smith said:
Birdhouses can be quite interesting if done right ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3btjAslx-OY&feature=player_embedded#!


Must be a Tardis type?

#9

I would focus on smaller things like a depot, train stations, outhouses, small building that can be used for anything from an office, depot, homestead ect… Anything found in a typical RR yard. I see some guys and even the plastic stuff go for $100-$200. Thats insane. If you were to buy just a few buildings to get the RR started would put one in debt. Also have the option of kit form for less money. I like the $50 or less range. If I cant get it for for under $50 then I make it myself. I see some guy selling structures on e-bay the price seems fair and the buildings are nice.

#10

I have been building most of my structures. I have some Colorado Scale Structures buildings I like and also some Timberline structures. Most buildings fall apart in a year or two in our climate and that’s when I start customizing them.

I also have a couple buildings from John Poole at Upland Trains that I’m also customizing. Great buildings for customizing and they are on sale! I don’t have to pay shipping since we usually go to lunch once a month!

#11

I’d suggest the 1/24th scale area… could be used by guys on both sides… smaller 1/32/29 buldings and larger 1/20 shops.

I’d also suggest the idea of starting with buildings that might be found around a railroad’s operations… trackside section house; sand house; water tank; small lineside office building; perhaps a model of a couple different famous interlocking towers… (J Tower… isn’t that the one at East Strasburg? - Alto, MG & East Conway Towers: two of which are the last towers in service on Norfolk Southern… East Conway was shutdown last Year, and Alto is slated to fall by the end of this year.)

#12

I saw them at Ontario BTS. WWWWWWAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY over priced for what they offer. Elevated wooden fueling station without tank = $129. Get a life! I built Miller’s Fuel Service for a $150 and it has two fuel tanks, two vertical Sand towers, operations control room, three booms and lit…Look for it in the modeling forum.

#13

I think the big problem selling built structures is shipping them.
As rough as packages are handled these days, I’d think you’d have damage problems.
And there aren’t enough shows to sell your product.
Ralph

#14

With the price of rolling stock, locomotives, and track (ascending order) it is difficult to expect anyone to be willing to pay 100 or more for a structure, unless it is EXACTLY what they are looking for. Most of us (I am one exception) don’t have the real estate to put in a full town, or the bucks lying around to do so, just not what the railroad is about. As most have said, trackside structures, but it seems the shipping of a wood item would overrun its value pretty quickly.
Mentioned above, Colorado makes some really decent looking structures and their prices are hard to beat, but the color of the plastic is in the animated range to my eye at least. If it has to be reworked, then of course the value is lower. Thats just my 2 cents, and I am not by any means an expert on this one.
Tell him to keep the day job! Easy money can be not-so-easy…

#15

the main problem is, he choses the worst moment to start a hobby-business.
when economy goes down, people, who want to make an extra buck meet people, who try to save some bucks by spending less on hobbies.