How n scale 3d shells worth?

[Dreyfusshudson]

Heard that tomball locomotive works, which is out of business now, make n scale steam shell.
And user named track29 sells streamliners on shapeways.
I encountered C&O 490 shell on ebay, and it is on service with Kato's C62(sister product of con cor hudson).
Keystone detail, although they stopped produce it, make prr k4.

How they worth?

[dem34]

If you have a working mech. They are usually an improvement over older Resin cast shells or Die Cast shells. But much more fragile. The problem is usually with how specific steam locomotives are. Its a lot of work to make a 3D model. And unless is a PRR K4 (Which is available in plastic) or a MILW F7. Your market might be too limited for it to be a sustainable business.

[randgust]

CMR makes a ton of shells, but the challenge remains to find a mechanism.

What seems to happen all too often is a 'perfection is the enemy of good' in areas like wheelbase and hood width; a shell can be designed 'spot on' and not fit any known or available mechanism.   I ran into a lot like that, the most epic was the MRS1.  And the GE 25 ton.   And, and, and.....

And the Shapeways system was about impossible to make it a paying proposition for the designer, and made 'doing it right' by adding instructions, non-RP parts, etc.   One of the few to actually get it right has been ATSF N Scale Models Dirk, using the  printedshells as just part of the process.   Having done both his cars and tenders, that's the best result I've seen yet.   

[thomasjmdavis]

CMR makes a ton of shells, but the challenge remains to find a mechanism.

What seems to happen all too often is a 'perfection is the enemy of good' in areas like wheelbase and hood width; a shell can be designed 'spot on' and not fit any known or available mechanism.   I ran into a lot like that, the most epic was the MRS1.  And the GE 25 ton.   And, and, and.....

And the Shapeways system was about impossible to make it a paying proposition for the designer, and made 'doing it right' by adding instructions, non-RP parts, etc.   One of the few to actually get it right has been ATSF N Scale Models Dirk, using the  printedshells as just part of the process.   Having done both his cars and tenders, that's the best result I've seen yet.

I am a fan of ATSF N Scale Models as well.  The etchings make all the difference.  The designer who was selling the Baldwin DT-6-6-2000 transfer locos also did a good job, and gave one the option of purchasing etched handrail stanchions- which hold up under handling much better than a 3d print. 

The only steam loco 3D print I have is for ATSF 3460 (the 'Blue Goose'), which was being sold on eBay a while back (Robert Nunez, if I remember correctly).  Nicely done, but fragile.  I destroyed one when I dropped it in the cleaning process and it shattered.  Second one was set aside. It presumably fits on the Con-cor chassis, but I didn't get that far- still trying to find the right paint.

[Dreyfusshudson]

I am a fan of ATSF N Scale Models as well.  The etchings make all the difference.  The designer who was selling the Baldwin DT-6-6-2000 transfer locos also did a good job, and gave one the option of purchasing etched handrail stanchions- which hold up under handling much better than a 3d print. 

The only steam loco 3D print I have is for ATSF 3460 (the 'Blue Goose'), which was being sold on eBay a while back (Robert Nunez, if I remember correctly).  Nicely done, but fragile.  I destroyed one when I dropped it in the cleaning process and it shattered.  Second one was set aside. It presumably fits on the Con-cor chassis, but I didn't get that far- still trying to find the right paint.

Track 29 is Mr. robert Nunes.
He started shapeways.

[peteski]

Track 29 is Mr. robert Nunes.
He started shapeways.

Interesting.

According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shapeways
Shapeways began as a spin-off of Royal Philips Electronics, the Netherlands in 2007. It was founded by Peter Weijmarshausen, Robert Schouwenburg and Marleen Vogelaar and the idea came forth at the Philips design department. The concept and venture plan was initially created in 2005 by Dolf Wittkämper within the `Philips Lifestyle Incubator` program which offers support for start-up companies with innovative ideas