I'm trying out a modular concept for N-scale (1:160) freighters and container ships. I've popped the first bows and sterns out of resin, and they look good and fit well. Here are some progress shots.
First is a 503' break bulk freighter built in the late 1940s. You can see the 140' cast bow and 103' stern (blue) and the styrene box mid-section of 250' length (grey). The large midship superstructure accommodates 20 passengers and is from the 1947 Beavercove. I've cast all six hatches, the 24 cargo winches, and other deck details, but didn't have time to place them, as I was racing off to Alabama for a few weeks. I've drawn the photoetch railings but haven't sent them out yet. The superstructure is easy to build, once I (or you) have gotten the square windows cut out.
Next is a 435' container ship from the late 1960s. It uses the same bow (which is pretty typical in ship construction, although container ships did go to a bulbous bow early on), a level stern and, for illustration purposes, a 200' center section. It could use a 150'. 250', 300' or even 350' center section and be within modern shipbuilding practices--for mid-sized ships. The shorter versions would be a bit stubby; the longer versions a bit slim. The rear, high superstructure is modeled after a similarly sized ship of the 1970s, still in service. I've drawn and cut the full deck-width folding hatches, but haven't molded them yet. I've also got the photoetch brass railings ready.
Finally, here's the two of them together, showing just two possibilities. The early container ships were converted break bulk freighters, so a container ships with a midship island is perfectly reasonable. So is a container ship with a poop deck and a tall, shallow superstructure near the break between poop and main decks.
I've built a third superstructure--an early Sea Witch style--which I will photograph later. With modular construction, I've had to make a few minor compromises, such as settling on a standard hatch width or cabin height. I'd like to know how folks feel about this approach.