"There are probably intellectual property issues doing an exact replica for commercial sales of a particular piece in a Museum Collection. Who owns the images used to create the model, are they credited, is a donation forthcoming from the mfr? If this was a series custom painted or numbered commisioned by the museum, I assume that would not be an issue. "

Model manufacturers decide to make a given model (GP9, RS-3, NKP berk, Northeastern caboose, etc), and paint it for various road names. They usually research and get the number series correct, and simply do random numbers in the series (B&M GP9s from 1700-1749, NKP S-2 berks 740-769, etc).

Bob, do you really think any Museum would have an "intellectual property issue" if stock models were numbered for items in their collections? I don't know what IRM's attitude is, but we were pleased at RMNE when a few model companies made U25Bs in New Haven, numbered 2525. And we didn't even ask them to-- that's how the models appeared. (G scale and HO, as I recall)

And last week, we hosted a model sound outfit, to record RS-3 529, "going through the notches". They simply paid for the fuel and crew time.

Howard P.

Intellectual property is an important issue, not just on design but on concept as well.

Some years ago I approached the Franklin Mint to see if the famous collector company would make streetcar model based on a trolley in a museum collection. My interest was strictly publicity for the museum, and Franklin Mint would get to keep all the sales revenue. The Mint's widespread brand-name awareness I figured would provide promotional coattails for the museum.

The turn-down letter I received politely informed me that Franklin does not accept ideas from outsiders. I surmised that that policy forestalls law suit potential from people claiming a company "profited" from someone else's creatrivity without compensation.

Sloan

I suppose whether or not there would be intellectual property issues would depend on the organization, and some may have different policies than others. There's also the question of the quality of the model, and it would not benefit a museum to have it's name on a poorly made and over-priced model.

At the Mt Rainier Scenic RR, we have one of the very few operating Climax locomotives, and so it has been made in miniature several times. Pacific Fast Mail made it in O and HO back in the early 80's and then MTH made it in O hi-rail more recently.

We worked with the manufacturers in both cases, providing access to the locomotive etc. We even spent an entire with the crew from MTH recording digital sound samples of the real #10. Since I was conductor, I think my voice is on the soundtrack, and the engine occasionally has crew sounds.

Both models were well made. Obviously the hi-rail one isn't exactly to scale, but it's pretty close, and captures the feeling quite well. They spent a lot of time getting it right.

We only charged for the use of the engine and crew, as far as I know there were no "royalties" of any kind.

While not "exact" replicas of our cars, we have most recently done 2 O-scale models of pieces in our collection. We did them with Weaver Models here in PA. The first was a replica of the boxcar that was the center of the 2004 Horseshoe Curve Anniversary trainset. We sold 600 of them in just over one year. May not seem like a lot of cars but it was $24,000 gross. The next was a replica of our Altoona Fire Department tank car that they use for HAZMAT training. We sold approximately 300 of them. The minimum order at Weaver is usually 100 cars for a custom run but we order at least 300 at a time.

We take preorders for the cars which usualy pays for the art and production so we have very little if any out-of-pocket costs to invest inthe inventory. We plan to do more. It has been easier for us to do O-scale than it has been to find an HO manufacturer willing to do what we want.

We are currently pre-selling a 25th Anniversary NS boxcar (with NS design and blessing) that should arrive very soon.

Thanks

The ELDCPS has been selling cars from the Rapido line of HO passenger cars. We did really well selling their models of the Pullman 10-5 cars. The Erie/EL had two cars, so we had each car available in both Erie and EL colors. I was surprised how many people ordered all 4.

We also sold their coaches which were "really close" to the DL&W Phoebe Snow cars. One of the road numbers is 1318, which our Vice President owns and is restoring. There were 4 other road numbers available, but that one sold the best.

I would love to do a model of the 741. A number of years ago there were brass models of this car available but I think it would do well today if we could find someone to do it. Buy one of those Atlas Delaware-Lackawanna models and you can recreate 21st century railroading!

I'll chime in and say we sell HO models of the Budd Dome cars we got from Alaska 2 years ago. Can't keep 'em on the shelf. Blew through 3 cases worth at $24.95 before the end of July.
Maybe it's because people can buy a model of the car they just (or will) ride in. I don't know. All I know is they sell like hotcakes.

Phil Johnson
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Canon City, Colorado