Here's the N scale version of a party ship! She is perfect for small harbors, as similar party ships sailed from docks at small coves, on rivers, and on lakes.
The Port Welcome sailed Baltimore's inner and outer harbors for nearly 30 years (1960—1989), carrying up to 400 partiers at a time. Since then it's had a rather checkered history as a restaurant in Detroit, a casino cruise in Massachusetts, and today is at pier in Florida. The N Scale version here is priced at $135 plus shipping for a complete kit, including custom railings and fittings, and $550 plus shipping for a built up.
The Port Welcome in N scale, all of 9.4" (240 mm) long but as detailed as any larger ship.
The main and second (01) decks are see-through, as is the pilot house! Add your own interior details, from tables and chairs, to the concession stand, to lots of people. I'm proud of the techniques I've developed to be able to do this.
Yes, those are custom N scale railings, stairways, life rafts and life boats, along with custom built davits, and a cast resin stack—all designed for this N scale ship. Other details such as anchors, bitts and life rings are from the finest suppliers of pewter or brass castings. There's also the wrap-around seating on the top deck, storage lockers, masts and flag staffs.
Those are custom lifeboats and dinghy, hot out of my molds. Notice the stack has a hollow shield on the top, which I manufactured from many layers of styrene, each reduced incrementally by the computer. The anchor windlass is custom built from eleven separate parts.
Here's a head-on view.
There's plenty of space to add a polaris (compass stand), engine room telegraph, steering gear, chart tables, etc. The Port Welcome had radar, and a 24" searchlight, each modeled on the pilot house roof.
Another view from the stern, showing the rear verandas, and my new N scale dinghy.
I built this from pictures and diagrams from one of her captains, Fred Ladd.
One more view, from the 3/4 stern. While not the sleekest party boat that ever sailed, I think it's rather handsome in its own way.
I'll produce only 20 kits for this Fall, and my schedule for built ups is filling up quickly, so order now if you'd like one for Christmas! Order cut-off for guaranteed delivery in 2013 is October 15. I can accept Paypal and credit card orders. Best to contact me at peterknolan@gmail.com.
