As many of you have been following here, I have been attempting to recreate an N scale version of the dome- and prismatic-roofed IRT subway kiosks used throughout the early to mid 1900s in New York City. If you have been following along, you also know that I’d really like to make these small, but iconic structures into a kit for N scale modelers and perhaps even in HO scale.
Finally, I have found a manufacturer who has accessed the CAD plans and assures me that kiosk kits could in fact be mass produced in thin, laser-cut acrylic and resin parts.
The tooling cost is higher than would typically be the case because of the kiosks’ very small and intricate design, not to mention the ornate details like the dome roof. The manufacturer warned me that because this kit would cater to very specific and narrow group of modelers, they believe that I may have difficulty in selling enough of these to even break even. Narrow group meaning big city N scale modelers, which is further narrowed if those modelers are strictly following a prototype city other than New York.
I’m assuming there would be a much larger pool of interest in HO, but even then, it’s somewhat proportional because material costs on HO go up and offset the tooling.
That being said, before I invest in taking this product to market, I am asking anyone that strongly believes they would purchase at least one well-manufactured kiosk kit to e-mail me a quick note at nscalemodeling@comcast.net to let me know or leave a comment here. Please indicate the scale you’d want this kit produced in. For the sake of argument (unsure at this point), let’s assume an N scale kit would retail for approximately $30 for one kiosk. Would like to also see how readers would feel about that price level.
I know visitors to my blog may not be a true gauge of overall market interest, but I’m trying to get vague idea based on the number of daily users vs. the number interested.
Thanks!
Filed under: Products, Structures , kiosk, model, model kit, model railroad, model railroading, N Scale, New York, scale model, scale modeling, subway, subway entrance
yep- I want one
So far, I’ve had only two people express interest in the kiosks. Anyone else?
I model the NYC rapid transit scene but in HO scale. This would make a great addition to my future layout. Perhaps to defray the cost, you could gang the production with one or two other kits that might appeal to a broader range or modeling interests? Or produce an HO version with the N sccale kit (hint, hint!). The transit modeling niche is not as small as most people would think.
Nice modeling and website.
-Yes, I would be interested in an N scale subway kiosk.
Roger
Your prototype blew me away. I would definitely purchase several of these.