Manufacturers' History

On this page we try to capture the history of many of the manufacturers that supplied S-scale modelers with products over the decades. This is an ongoing effort, and your information and corrections are very much welcome.

Contact person: webmaster

A.C. Gilbert

1909: started as "Mysto Manufacturing Company".
1916: name changed to "A.C. Gilbert Company".
1938: buys "American Flyer Mfg. Co." (produces S-scale equipment riding on O-scale wheels under the name of "Tru-Model", to be compatible with Lionel's track).
1946: stops manufacturing HO- and O-scale products, starts producing S-scale products that are truly proportioned to 1:64 scale.
1965: declares bankruptcy.
1967: portions bought by Lionel and K-Line.

A.D. Imfeld, Co.

All models were hand-built by Dan.

ACE Model Railroad Company

Walter owned a brick-n-mortar hobby shop. The company gained access to the original A.C. Gilbert three-bay hopper molds, and so started producing undecorated models of these using high-quality plastics. They also produced floors, bolsters, and other parts to make it easy to convert A.F. rolling stock to "scale" models. The ACE product line provided the S-scale modeler with products until American Models and other companies started coming along. It is the opinion of several S-scale modelers who were actively modeling at that time that, if it wasn't for Walter Graeff's efforts, S-scale would have died back in those days.
1978: Walter passed away.
1983: bought by Downs Model Railroad Co.

Alco Models

1967: started.
1970s: imported from Kumata Models (KMT), Japan.
1980s: imported from Samhongsa, Korea.
1983: closed.

Allegheny Models

This is not the same company as the current-day brass retailer "Allegheny Scale Models" based in Hackettstown, New Jersey.

Altoona Model Works

Supposedly the owner's father modeled in S-scale, so the company started producing S-scale models and they could be seen at S-scale events, such as the NASG Convention. When the owner's father passed away, the company stopped producing S-scale kits. They are predominantly an O-scale company.

Ambroid Co.

1910: started.
1940s: started making kits to promote their glues.

American Hi-Rail

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

1980s: started.
Instrument Design, Inc. is still the owner's design and engineering services firm. American Hi-Rail was founded under this company later. Some of the early S-scale passenger car models have the IDI name imprinted.

American Models

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

This is one of the main S-scale model railroad manufacturers.
1983: started.
1989: started collaboration with S-Helper Service.
1995: stopped collaboration with S-Helper Service.
2017: built new manufacturing facility.

American Scale Models

Bought by Locomotive Workshop.

Amity Star Models

1971: started.
1996: bought by B.T.S.
2001: Russ passed away. The NASG's Mobley Library was named after Russ Mobley.

Archer Fine Transfers

1989: started.
2020: stopped producing dry transfers.

Arden Scale Models

Arkansas Valley Scale Models

199?: bought by Scale Structures LTD.

Arttista Accessories

1990: started making S-scale figures.

Aurora Plastics Corporation

1950: started.
1968: internal leadership struggles, led to an investment group taking the company over.
1970: bought by Nabisco.
1977: the company's product line bought by Monogram. A UP train derailment damaged a lot of the Aurora molds during this transition time, but most were salvaged.

Authenticast

1946: started. Manufactured largish S-scale figures.
1950: Irish factory burned down.
1951: resurrected as "Swedish-African Engineers", South Africa, producing only 54mm figures.

Aztec Manufacturing

1976: started.
1991: started producing track-cleaning cars.
2019: closed.

B.T.S.

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

1979: started Bill's Train Shop (brick-n-mortar store).
1984: changed to mail-order.
1991: produced first kit (an S-scale one).
1996: bought Amity Star Models.
1996: took over SouthWind Models' brass detailing parts (only).
1997: bought Sn3/On3 Rio Grande Models products.
1998: bought Master Creations, which was a laser-cut kit manufacturer that started in 1984, and were a sub-contractor for B.T.S.' kits.
2005: B.T.S. moved to West Virginia.
Bill also created and ran the "S/Sn3 Buyers Guide" magazine, published six times per year from 1993 through 1999 (its name was changed to "S/Sn3 Modeling Guide" in 1995).

Backwoods Miniatures

Distributed in the U.S. by banta modelworks.
2016: closed.

banta modelworks

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

Yes, the name is in all-lowercase.
1998: bought "Building & Structure Co.".
1999: bought "Tomalco" track product line (only).
2010: stopped producing S-scale kits.
2014: sold S-scale products to "Commercial Scale Models".
2019: "Commercial Scale Models" suddenly stopped, so banta modelworks took over the "Building & Structures Co." product line, again.

Berlyn Locomotive Works

2009: bought by "Precision Vintage Classics".

Best Of Show

This company focused on doing custom-built projects, painting, and weathering, especially structures, figures, and vehicles.

BK Enterprises

1990: S-scale "Tru-Scale" turnouts.
1995: bought "Tomalco" Sn3 kits from "Building & Structure Co.".
1999: bought "Classic Miniatures".
1999: bought "Taurus Products".
The kits are now part of their "Trout Creek Engineering" line of cars and structures.

Black Bear Scale Models

2018: Rich died. His wife tried to continue the business but decided to permanently close it later in the year.

Blue Mountain Hobbies

Bob Peare Engineering Corp.

1950s: started.

Branch Line Models

Bub

pre-WWII: started as a large toy company.
1948: started producing S-scale-equivalent products.
1958: stopped producing S-scale products.
1966: the company was closed and sold.

Building & Structure Co.

mid-1980s: started by two Sn3 modelers. In addition to hydrocal, styrene, and white-metal parts, they were one of the first companies in S-scale to use lasers to cut their kits' parts. Their product line's primary focus was on Colorado-based narrow gauge, but they did make some "generic" models.
1996: Tomalco was a division of theirs that covered Sn3 track.
1998: bought by "banta modelworks".
2014: bought by "Commercial Scale Models".
2019: "Commercial Scale Models" suddenly closed; "banta modelworks" took over the product line again.

C-D-S Lettering Ltd.

2011: bought by Ozark Miniatures.

Canadian Railway Model Co.

Cascade Hobby Products

Jon Beveridge bought out the Port Able Lines company owned by Delwyn "Jack" Amerine (Allentown, PA), and then later on bought out Locomotive Workshop to form Cascade Hobby Products. The company produced complete locomotive kits from various parts sourced from other companies, or companies they had bought out. They also made conversion kits.

CatzPaw Innovations, LLC

This company specializes in unique 3D-printed items. The two ladies who own the company started by making only S-scale products, as that is their primary interest. However, as other modelers discovered their product line, they started requesting that they'd make them available in their scales, too.

Central Hobby Supply

1987: started.
2018: closed.
Owned the "West Shore Line" brand.

Century Models

Chad Boas

2012: Chad created the S-scale base flat car kit, which was later bought out by "The Supply Car", which released it as a complete kit. This is the only S-scale project he did.

Chama Car Shops

Chama Model Shop

1986: bought by P-B-L.

Champion Decals

Chesapeake Models

Part of John's "Railroad Art" company.
1995: bought by "Des Plaines Hobbies", which still produces this kit with a variety of decals.
2000: John died.

Chester Industrial Arts

1950: advertises in the Model Railroader magazine.
The company offered eight Pullman car styles in both 60- and 85-foot versions. The shorter version was intended for AF-based layout, whereas the longer model was closer to the prototype and thus intended for "scale" layouts. They were baggage, baggage-mail, railway post office, combine (coach-baggage), coach, roomette (sleeper), diner, and observation cars. They produced them in the late 1950s in O-, S-, and HO-scales. All featured corrugated aluminum sides, wooden floor, wooden roof, two wooden spacer blocks (to separate the roof and floor), two thick sheet-aluminum ends with four countersunk screw holes each, and eight short flathead wood screws to secure the ends to the floor and roof. Also included were stamped aluminum doors specific to each car, celluloid window material, and a pair of sponge-rubber full-width diaphragms. No truck or couplers were included.

Chicago Express Products

Cibolo Crossing

They produced craftsman-style structure kits.

Classic Trains

????: bought by Mescher brothers.

Cleveland Model & Supply

1927: started.
1937: S-scale under "C-D Models".
1950: Ed changes his last name from Pachasa to Packard.
1996: Ed retires and sells company to John Jacox.
1999: Ed Packard dies.
At first they produced static locomotive models, but later on they started making operating models. Model Railroader magazine issues of those years had "C-D Models" advertisements in them. They also produced track (code 115), rail joiners, and #6 turnouts, as well as crossings, and a double-slip switch. After WWII they also started making code 210 rail, to start being compatible with A.C. Gilbert's equipment.

Clever Models LLC

Formerly "Clever Bros Models", which produces printed paper sides for structures.

Clover House

2011: bought by Tom Dempsey.

CMX

Colorado S Scale Connection

A division of Sundance Publications, this is a brick-n-mortar S-scale-only hobby shop.

Commercial Scale Models

2014: bought S-scale product line from "banta modelworks".
2019: company suddenly closed; "banta modelworks" took over product line.

Concept Models

2017: Started S-scale products.
2020: They stopped selling S-scale products. They listed their molds for the S-scale product line for $2K on eBay, and stated all would be destroyed if not sold, and the eBay listing indicated that it was not sold, so this product line is permanently gone.

Continental Flyer, Inc.

1976: started.
1977: a notice was posted in the June issue of Railroad Model Craftsman stating that this new company, founded by three ex-Gilbert employees, was going to produce true American Flyer items. A brief history of the company can be found in The Collector, Volume 20, #4 Winter 1997. General Mills' Fundimensions (they had bought Lionel's product line when Lionel went bankrupt, and prior to that Lionel had bought A.C. Gilbert's product line when they went bankrupt) decided to revive American Flyer, which caused Continental Flyer to go bankrupt. The 2012 March/April issue of S Gaugian magazine has a cover photograph of the three partners in Continental Flyer. They are holding a Franklin Passenger Set and a Barrel Unloader. There is mention of Continental Flyer in Hal Carstens' book 150 years of Train Models on page 84. (information was provided by a number of people on the S-Trains Yahoo! Groups discussion list).

Critter Works

Crown Model Products

1994: started making S-scale products. Port Lines Hobby Supplies hobby shop was the exclusive dealer for their S-scale reefers (Port Lines decided on the paint schemes, Crown manufactured and packaged them, and Port Lines sold them both wholesale and retail).
2001: closed.

Crummy Products

"Crummy" used to be a nickname assigned to cabooses, due to their uncomfortable nature. The company sold HO-, S-, and O-scale products. Bert passed away in 2014 due to Parkinson's.

Cryer Gray Foundry

Culp Bros.

DALLEE Electronics, Inc.

1976: started.

Dave's Twacks & Twains

Dayton Model Products

1947: started (advertised an interurban kit in the September 1947 issue of Model Railroader magazine, with what appears to be "scale" wheels).
1954: closed.
We are unclear as to the relationship between Dayton Model Products and Super Scale Models, but we have photographic evidence that Super Scale released a Dayton industrial switcher. The label on that box clearly states both company names. We don't know if they were owned by the same person, or if Super Scale bought out the Dayton product line at or before the time that Dayton closed. If you have any leads, feel free to contact the webmaster.

Delaware Valley Kits

Before Kadee started selling their On3/S version of their famous HO coupler, John Bortz sold Kadee HO-scale couplers with a longer trip pin installed. This made it possible for S-scale modelers to install and use the Kadee remote uncoupling system on their layout, just like the HO-scale guys could do.

Des Plaines Hobbies

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

1983: started store.
1994: bought "S Scale America".
1995: bought "Chesapeake Models" (PRR H39 Hopper).
1997: bought S-scale parts of "Plano Model Products".
2005: bought S-scale decals from "Microscale Industries".
2006: bought "Pacific Rail Shops" (but not "Gold Coast").
2015: bought "Mullet River Model Works".
This is a brick-n-mortar hobby store. Although they carry all the model railroad scales, the owners are personally interested in S-scale.

Design-Tech

Devore

Manufactured working scale knuckle couplers.

Division Point

DMK

The letters D, M, and K stand for the first names of the children of the company's three owners. They produced various freight car kits. Later on, the three partners formed Modern Models.

Don Winter

Don Winter produced one S-scale kit in 1981, the 54' Thrall gondola. Jim Kindraka wrote an article about this kit in the June 2016 issue of The S Scale Resource magazine, which also includes some background on Don (he mostly produced On3 kits, and then switched to G/Fn3 kits before passing away in 2007).

Don's Depot

Earl bought Don out at some point in time, to become the sole owner. Earl was a member of the State-Line S Gaugers club. He made reproduced copies of A.C. Gilbert figures and some of his own originals. He also made other A.C. Gilbert reproduction parts. Sometime in the early 2000s Earl retired and moved to Florida. He sold all his molds to another person who had an interest in continuing production (unknown as to who that was).

Downs Model Railroad Co.

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

1980: Russ sold re-painted/re-lettered American Flyer cars ("Silver", "Blue", "Red", and "Gold" line) under the name "RUSTI Model Railroad Equipment" (A.F., REX, Pacific Rail Shops, and home-made body shells).
1983: bought "ACE Model Railroad Company".
1999: Russ announced his retirement, continuing production until the product supplies ran out.
2000: bought by "Manheim Machine & Tool".
2009: Russ passed away.

Downtown Deco

1996: started making S-scale kits.
2000: stopped manufacturing new kits for both O- and S-scale.

DSL Shops

1993: started.

East West Rail Service

Eastern NY Kits

Eastern Road Models

Efsi Toys

1959: the company started as "Bestbox".
1960s: the Dutch government created the FSI (social program for employing out-of-work coal miners).
1971: the company started using the Efsi, as a pronunciations of the FSI government program name, with which the company worked.
1988: the government discontinued the coal miners employment program, and so the company's name was changed to "Holland Oto" (they seem to only make HO-scale and 1:50 models nowadays).

Since this company's products are similar in concept to those of Matchbox (meaning "box-scale", i.e. whatever size fits in the retail box), each model should be individually validated to make sure it is close to S-scale.

Enhorning Industries

Apparently EMD approached them to produce an EMD F7 model as a desktop display model, which they did and somehow they chose S-scale (1:64). They had a large selection of decals available in the early 1970s. The company used three different drive mechanisms for their engines. The first one came with hefty cast-metal frames with integral skirts. The next version had the cast-frame with the Pittman DC-94 motor slung in the fuel tank space, slightly visible beneath the skirts when viewed from the side. The motor was held in place with four hefty bolts, two at each end through slots in the fuel tank ends. This version came with a gearbox on one axle of each truck, driven directly by one of the motor's shafts via a neoprene shaft coupling. This coupling was all that kept the gearbox in approximate vertical alignment. The other axle was driven by an O-ring type belt between pulleys on each axle. The last version had two poorly-performing, vertically-mounted motors attached to each truck driving one axle via an exposed worm gear pair, with a belt driving the second axle. No gearboxes. The flimsy floor/frame was plastic. Absence of rigidity was its biggest problem.

It is believed that Enhorning bought out the Champion Decals S-scale decals product line.

Ertl

1945: started in Dubuque, Iowa.
1959: moved to Dyersville, Iowa.
1967: bought by "Victor Comptometer Corporation".
1977: bought by "Walter Kidde & Company, Inc".
1992: Fred Ertl retires.
1999: bought by "Racing Champions".

Essence

1998: Ken died.
"Essence" was a newsletter published and edited by Ken D. Mackenzie under the NMRA's S scale Special Interest Group (SIG). He was a pioneer in Sn3.

Evergreen Hill Designs, LLC

Exacta Scale Models

The company was started as Baker-Scott Railway Models. They produced heavy-weight and streamlined passenger car kits in O-, OO-, S-, and HO-scale, which appeared in the 1940s. Their unique manufacturing process consisted of electro-deposition of copper in female molds, then coated on their backsides with solder for stiffening. The streamlined kits included a single flat wrapper that included the two sides and roof, to be formed by the modeler. Some of their heavyweight sides found their way into the Super Scale line of S scale kits. You can tell the difference because the backs of the Exacta sides were ink-stamped "Exacta Scale Models".

Farm Factor 3D

Fast Tracks

Finest Kind Models

1985: started.
1985: bought "SS Ltd." (oversized HO parts).
1988: bought "Triangle Scale Models".
2005: bought by "Turner Model Works".
2018: bought by "Coyote Flats Depot" (Tim Moat).

Foothill Model Works

Fox Valley Models

They have a substantial product line in N- and HO-scale. In 2016 they announced that they were going to import S-scale flextrack and turnouts. In March 2017 the first shipment arrived. The owner of Fox Valley Models, an S-scale modeler himself, is the son-in-law of Ron Sebastian (owner of Des Plaines Hobbies).

Foxhill Associates

1985: started.

Funaro and Camerlengo

Funrise Toy Corporation

1997: started.

Under the brand name "Code 3 Collectibles", the company produced fire-related S-scale emergency vehicle models.

G&W Models

1980: the May 1980 Model Railroader magazine contains an ad for metal detailing parts available for a variety of diesel engines, as well as a GE U25B body kit (no drive mechanism).
1981: Geoff took over as the NASG's Dispatch editor.
2005: Walt died.
The company also produced decals, which were sold to Rail Graphics (which, itself, closed at the end of 2017).

Gardiner Model Railroad Designs

GarGraves Trackage

1940: the company was started making O-scale track.
1959: started producing S-scale track.

GHB International

Gilmaur

They are an O-scale brass kit manufacturer, however, they are now working on converting their kits to S-scale.

Gloor Craft Models

1983: started.
????: bought by Wiseman Model Services.

The company manufactured prototypical kits featuring pre-cut basswood parts, color-coded stripwood, metal castings, and step-by-step instructions with full-size drawings. They bought the Quality Craft Models line of modern car kits (Quality Craft became Weaver Models, of O-scale fame).

Gold Coast Models

1994: started, ostensibly to import brass models.
2006: after selling Pacific Rail Shops to Des Plaines Hobbies in 2006, the father/son team offered pre-built and pre-decorated PRS models and kits under their "Gold Coast Models" name. They could do this, because Des Plaines Hobbies did not buy their remaining inventory, just the "Pacific Rail Shops" name and the tooling.
2013: Felix made the announcement that their TT-scale product line had been sold to the German company Lok-N-Roll.

Grand River Models

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

Grandt Line Products

2018: product line was bought by The San Juan Model Company. However, the "Grandt Line" name is now officially retired and is no longer used with any of their former product line.

Great Decals

Greenbrier Railroad Models

Although the company no longer exists, B.T.S. still lists some of their remaining stock on their web site. Geoff handles the sales of these engines, which the stock remains.

H.D. Scale Models

Hartoy

1991: started.
2003 bought by Tonkin Replicas.

Produced 1:64 die-cast vehicles. The company produced the well-known and high-quality American Highway Legend (AHL) and the PEM series of trucks and trailers.

Hidden River Manufacturing Company

2014: started.

Hobby Loads

2017: Wilson died.
2018: loads bought by DC Rail and Hobby Depot.

Hobby Surplus

Hoquat Hobbies

A long-time mainstay of S-scale, the brick-n-mortar retail store closed in 2016, and closed their online store in 2019, with most of the remaining inventory going to Des Plaines Hobbies.

Instrument Design, Inc.

Iron Rail Models

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

2010: bought ACE and Downs from Manheim Machine & Tool.
2012: moved to Florida.
2019: offered the company up for sale.

Note that as of March 2021, Greg is still entertaining offers to take over the Iron Rail, ACE, and Downs names and product lines.

J-C Models

1939: Started.
1960s: Bought Chester Industrial Arts product line of passenger cars (the new versions had detailed cast ends, and the option of either corrugated or smooth sides).
1980: Tom passed away.

J.D. Rustermier

???? bought the Miniature Machine product line.

J.D. offers brass universal spider for the plastic Cardan universal that Ajin used in their S-scale drive that River Raisin imported (the plastic spider in that universal would crack just sitting on the shelf in a model). If you are in need for something specific for your steam locomotive, consider contacting J.D.

JAKS Industries, Inc.

1983: started.
1990s: owned Scale Structures Ltd., Period Miniatures, FinestKind Mdl's, Triangle Scale Models, Mini-Structures, Mecca Mineral Works, Milepost, and Arkansas Valley Scale Models.
1997: the company announced that they would stop producing S- and O-scale products.
????: bought by Wiseman Model Services.

The name comes from the owners' names (John And Kathy Stetz).

John Hall

late-1980s: started

John Huster

S-Helper Service manufactured a number of cars specifically for him that he sold directly.

K-Line Electric Trains

This was a brand name owned by MDK, Inc.
????: made track for American Flyer, which the owner acquired when A.C. Gilbert went bankrupt.
1980: bought the Marx product line.
2005: released several S-scale train sets.
2006: Lionel, LLC successfully sues K-Line and subsequently acquired it. (Lionel was itself in a state of bankruptcy, so actually Sanda Kan, who made all of the K-Line products, bought the company, and licensed it back to Lionel - clear as mud, right?)

K-Line's focus was on the lower-priced products, to compete with Lionel. Most of the S-scale products were made from Marx O27 products, replacing the O-scale trucks with S-scale ones. Because of Lionel's ownership of K-Line, they now actually have the legal right to produce American Flyer track (they didn't before; K-Line did).

Kanamodel Products

2017: owner passed away.

Kansas City Kits

1940s: started.
1953: advertised brass S-scale tank car.

Their kits were very spartan; essentially a box of wood pieces. Prices were around $1.20 for a single-dome car.

Kaslo Shop Distributing

They produced a couple of S-scale rolling stock kits, but seem to be focused on HO-scale only now.

Kemtron

Ken Kidder

Kingfield Car Shops

Kinsman Scale Models

1998: Bob passed away.
Bob was employed by Northeastern Scale Models, and, while there, he got permission to use the machines during after-hours to produce S-scale cars, which he sold under the name "Kinsman Scale Models", named after his son's middle name. Later, Kinsman sold the "Quality Craft Models" line of modern freight cars. Kinsman also sold Andrews and Bettendorf truck kits that had been part of the "Ambroid S Gauge" kit line made by Northeastern Scale Models. This all happened around the 1959 to 1964 time-frame. Their 1964 catalog showed an address in Salem, New Hampshire.

KND Enterprises, Inc.

Korber Models

The S 309 kit box states that Korber Models is a division of Scale Modelers Industries, Inc. based out of Medford, NJ.

Kris Model Trains Company

1968: started.
1982: closed.
1990: Andy passed away.
The owner was an avid Lionel collector, and purchased a lot of the tooling that Lionel had when it went out of business in 1967. Although primarily an O-scale company, in 1969 the company received around 3,000 American Flyer freight car shells, which were painted, decorated, and sold under the "Kris Model Trains" (KMT) name. Advertisements appeared in the 1970 and 1971 issues of the S Gauge Herald. The models came with either Pikemaster trucks and couplers, or American Flyer knuckle couplers.

Lake Junction Models, LLC

Lanes Trains

Lehigh Valley Models

early-1960s: started.
1971: renamed from "Delaware Valley Kits".
2003: bought by Phil Kerr of K&P Brick Co.

Liberty Models

Produced car parts in the 1970s.

Lima Models

Lima Models was owned by a gentleman who custom-built-to-order this Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad prototype caboose model made out of wood and card stock.

Lionel

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

Locomotive Workshop

1983: announced that the 4-6-0 project was their last S-scale one.
1984: bought by Hoquat Hobbies.
2004: Jan died.

The company was an O-scale manufacturer from the 1960s through the 1980s, adding S-scale products in the early 1970s (40-foot box car kits). Both Hoquat Hobbies and Wally Metal Products of Parksburg, PA (Fall 1984 issue of the NASG's Dispatch) are listed as having bought the S-scale product line.

M.L.W. Services

Mainline Models

Bought by Ye Olde Huff-N-Puff.
2018: bought by LaBelle Woodworking.

Mainstreeter Trains

1996: started.

Majorette

1961: started in France.
1964: started manufacturing vehicles.
1967: changed name to Majorette.
2009: declares bankruptcy.
2009: bought by Simba-Dickie Group (Germany).

The company manufactures diecast vehicles that are about 3" long. The models are now manufactured in their Thailand-based factories. Some vehicles will scale out close to 1:64, but preferences and judgment will have to be used to see how close they really are to S-scale. The parent company, Simba Dickie Group, also owns the Jada Toys product line (another close-to-S-scale diecast vehicles product line), and the Tamiya brand (plastic kits and paints). In the U.S., Majorette products were mostly sold at Toys-R-Us stores, but since that company went out of business in 2018, they are hard to find locally, and most likely will only be found online.

Manheim Machine & Tool Co.

2000: bought Downs Model Railroad Co (which included the ACE product line owned by Downs). Marlin did some machining work for Russ Downs, hence the connection.
2009: Marlin died (company for sale by lawyer)
2010: bought by Iron Rail Models (included MMT, Ace, and Downs product lines).

The photo shows Russ Downs on the left and Marlin Becker on the right. Taken in April 2001.

Marker Light Productions

1996: started.

Produces nickle-plated passenger car sides replacements for American Models passenger cars.

Mask Island Decals

Master Creations

mid-1980s: started.
1998: bought by B.T.S.

Matchbox

1953: started.

Matchbox is actually a trademark name, created by Lesney Products in 1953 in the UK. The models are designed so as to fit in their boxes, so some scale out close to 1:64, but preferences and judgment will have to be used to see how close they really are to S-scale (the models are scaled as "1:box"). Very early models were about 2" long (to fit within a matchbox), but by the late 1960s, the models were around 3" long. The company went bankrupt in 1982. Jack Odell bought some of the company's product line to form the Lledo brand name. David Yeh formed Matchbox International Ltd., which bought most of the Matchbox product line, and became a publicly-traded company in 1986. They also bought the famous Dinky toys (previously owned by Meccano, but it, too, had gone bankrupt in the early 1980s). In 1985 Matchbox products were entirely made in mainland China. The product line was sold to Tyco Toys in 1992, which was bought by Mattel in 1997, combining Hot Wheels and Matchbox within one company. The plan was to make Hot Wheels be "fantasy" cars, and Matchbox be models of "real" cars. By the way, the Dinky brand is completely dead now.

Mettoy Playcraft Ltd

1956: started.
1989: bought by Mattel.
1995: bought by Corgi Classics Limited.
2008: bought by Hornby.

Corgi Toys is a trademark name.

Midgage Models

????: started by Bill Stewart.
1950: Gene Fletcher joined the company (he was the accountant), and Bill wanted to sell it, so Gene bought it, renaming it "Sylvania". Gene only kept the passenger car line. He was located in Rehobeth, MA, and helped found the Bristol S Gauge Railroaders club in 1948 (for more history about this club see the October 1997 NASG Dispatch issue).
2003: Gene died.

Most interestingly, the company was set up in one end of one of the two New Haven box cars that Bill owned and placed on his property. The company produced box car, express reefer, and smooth-side aluminum-extrusion passenger car kits, as well as trucks kits. He also produced a kit for a scale PRR K-5 Pacific that used American Flyer Pacific boiler and tender superstructures (the "scale" drivers were provided by Nixon Model Co.). The company sold cast white-metal kits for superstructures for the Alco S-4 and EMD SW-1, which were intended to be powered by Miller power trucks.

Midway Model Makers

One modeler bought a kit that contained typed instructions dated March 20, 1948.

Milestone Autos

This was a product line by P-B-L. When P-B-L bought the Chama Model Works company from Jim Finnell in 1986, they also bought his S-scale vehicles product line. They continued to have Jim produce the vehicles and released them under their own name "Milestone Autos".

Miller Engineering & Design

2020: Doug passed away.

Miller Laboratory

bought by Sunset Mfg. Co.
1979: bought by Scenery Unlimited.
1988: Robert died.
The company manufactured an Alco S-4 diesel switcher, powered trucks, and plastic tie strips. The powered trucks were manufactured from the 1940s through the 1960s. The unique design of those trucks was that everything was contained between the sideframes (similar to the NWSL Stanton Drive). The patented Miller tie strip was an early form of flextrack. It came with code 126 rail. More information about Bob Miller and a sample catalog from 1952 can be found in the December 1996 issue of the NASG's Dispatch magazine.

Mini-Structures

1956: started by three men, who could not make the business profitable.
19??: bought by Hansel Main (who 12 years later, revived the company in earnest).
1985: bought by Dwight Wortman (Denver, CO).
1988: bought back by Hansel Main.
1990: bought by BK Enterprises.
The company appears to be dormant now.

Miniature Locomotive and Car Shop

Miniature Machine

2010: Barney died.
This company offered brass 50-ton arch bar freight trucks for Sn3, according to their announcement in the September 1980 Model Railroader. They also produced twenty 2-8-0 brass engines modeled after the Sierra RR #18. J.D. Rustermier bought the dies and remaining castings from Barney, however, by that time S-Helper Service and American Models were making similar products much cheaper, so there wasn't much demand for them anymore.

Model Memories

1998: started to manufacture S-scale products.

Model Memories does have a web site, but they don't specifically list S-scale products. That is because they will produce S-scale items only by special commission.

Model RR Warehouse

The company owners were also the owners of the Wabash Valley Lines company, and still carry the S-scale shells that they produced back then, which were used by Omnicon to create their F-units.

Model Tech Studios

Model Tech, Inc.

1985: started

Models by Miller

1961: started.
1969: closed.

Models by Roger Schenck

Modern Models

Three guys, modeling in S, who became friends while in Vietnam.

Monster Model Works

2012: started.
Produced structure and detailing kits, as well as scratchbuilding materials.

Mount Blue Model Co.

Mountaineer Precision Products

2002: started

MTH Electric Trains

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

2012: bought S-Helper Service tools & product line.
2020: Mike Wolf (MTH) announces his retirement, with the intent to close the company.
2021: MTH releases the fishbelly hopper, which was their first new S-scale product (designed by SHS), which sold out very quickly.
2021: In January MTH and ScaleTrains.com announced that ScaleTrains bought the MTH (former S-Helper Service) tooling.

Meet the Manufacturer is a video to learn more about the company.
Interview with Mike Wolf.
Interview with Andy Edleman.

Mullet River Model Works

2015: sold to Des Plaines Hobbies.

N.J. Custom Brass

NE Prototypes

Nevada-California Car Shops

New Zealand Finescale

Nixon Model Co

1940s: started making S-scale products.
????: Ben Nixon passed away.
????: bought by Broadbent family.
1963: Northern Industries, St Albans, Vermont bought the S-scale product line.

Often found abbreviated as "Nimco" (Nixon Model Company). The company was the leading manufacturer of "scale" equipment from the late 1940s up to about 1960. Paul Culp and his brothers were the ones who actually made the tooling and dies for Nixon. Nixon owned a model railroading hobby shop in eastern Pennsylvania, with "Nimco" being the manufacturing arm.

Nixon produced conversion kits for American Flyer locomotives, such as the 0-8-0, the PRR K5 (released as a complete kit by Midgage Models), the NYC Hudson, the RDG 4-4-2, and the UP Northern. These kits contained replacement wheels/axles for tender, pilot, and trailing trucks as well as scale drivers and axles. The axles had "D"-shaped ends, and the zamac driver centers had "D"-shaped openings to match. This design assured proper quartering. The modeler had to remove the AF drivers, axles, and worm gear, then use the reverse procedure to install the scale versions. The modeler had to press the drivers onto the axles between vise jaws to keep the drivers perpendicular to the axles. Rectifiers were separately available to allow for DC reversing of these converted locomotives.

They also produced box car kits, and a line of passenger trucks were made out of soft metal (which are still offered by Scenery Unlimited), as well as an extruded aluminum heavy-weight passenger kit. The six-wheel Pullman truck still had Strafford Scale Models stamped on them, suggesting that Nixon had bought the Strafford product line. Ben Nixon's estate sold the business to the Broadbent family, which continued the retail hobby store but stopped producing S-scale products. Northern Industries bought the S-scale product line in 1963. Al Hall, owner of Northern Industries, moved to California. Later, in the August 1981 issue of RMC, "The Hobby Shop", a division of Northern Industries, of San Jose, California offered the Nimco S-scale conversion wheels for American Flyer diesels.

North Yard

1978: started by Graham Selman.
2010: sold to Rodger and Christina Cullen and moved to Blenheim, New Zealand.
2020: the company bought the South Dock Models product line.

Northeastern Scale Models

1946: started.

It was started during or before WWII (we have a report from one gentleman visiting the shop in 1946; models in the show room were of S-scale ones, built by Jim's brother John). The company later moved to Ballardvale, MA into a triangular brick building. The Ambroid glue company got involved, and kits were sold under the Ambroid name.

Northwest Model Railroad Co.

NorthWest Short Line

1959: started.
2008: Raoul retired, and Dave Rygmyr bought the company (moved to Hamilton, Montana).
2019: Dave retired, and an NWSL employee bought the company (moved to Kila, Montana).
They produce gears, wheels, and other items for S and Sn3, including the S-scale version of the Stanton Drive. They were the first company to import a brass car for S-scale in 1972 (a three-dome Jones & Laughlin tank car).

Old Pullman Model Railroads, Inc.

Manufactured track and turnouts.

Old Shanty

Omnicon Scale Models

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

1985: started.
2012: Dave Netherton passed away.

When Charlie died, Dave and Charlie's wife continued with the company. Charlie helped create the concept of the "Gang of 100". This consisted of a group of individuals who firmly committed to purchasing a brass locomotive that Omnicon agreed to have produced in Korea. Every member of the group had to agree to purchase one or more models, regardless of what the group decided to have manufactured. A minimum order of 100 individual models had to be placed for it to make economic and practical sense for the builder and Omnicon. Only a couple of engines were so manufactured. Charlie had his own S-scale home layout, and he was involved in a 50-foot square layout built by the "S-Team" at the Omnicon office.

Oriental Limited

A brass import company.

Overland Models, Inc.

1976: started.

Ozark Miniatures

This company produces mainly garden-scale models and parts, but in 2011 they purchased the C-D-S Lettering product line of dry transfers, including the ones for S-scale.

P-B-L

1971: Started as "Peter-Built Locomotive Works", named after the owner Bill Peter, and later renamed to just "P-B-L", to upgrade HOn3 and HO-scale locomotives. Started in Chama, New Mexico.
1980: Released their first Sn3 locomotive, the K-37, followed by the K-27 (#453 and #461).
1981: Bought the Cascade Line of Sn3 kits and trucks.
????: Bought the C&S plastic freight car kits from Overland Models, Inc. (who, in turn, it is believed, bought them from Berlyn Locomotive Works).
1986: Bought Chama Model Shop from Jim Finnell (produced white metal castings that came with P-B-L's kits); the product line was integrated into P-B-L's Triangle Scale Models product line; the automotive vehicle kits were integrated into the new Milestone Autos product line.
1990: Moved to their present location, Ukiah, California.

George Hall wrote an article published in the July 1995 issue of Model Railroader magazine describing the history of P-B-L and their current status (as of 1995, that is).

When Tomalco was sold off, P-B-L acquired the Sn3 track products (Tomalco Track, owned by Larry Morton, took over the standard-gauge track products).

Video of interview with Bill Peter.
Video of Jimmy Booth talking about brass trains (here's another one).

Pacific Fast Mail

early-1950s: started
When the owner passed away, his son took over. By that time Don Drew became involved with the company (mid-1960s). In the early to mid-1970s the company was among the first to import brass Sn3 equipment. The company got out of the brass importing business around 1980, and continued to sell books and their Sound System II until around 1990.

Pacific Rail Shops

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

1985: started.
????: The partners later also founded Intermountain, which was the actual sub-contractor for producing the kits (as well as HO- and O-scale models). Jerry eventually left the company, which was then run by John, his son, and their accountant (see the NMRA's S Scale SIG for a complete article on the history of this company). The company produced easy-to-build freight car kits where the bodies were pre-painted and lettered. Intermountain's efforts shifted more to their HO- and O-scale products.
2006: John sold his interests to Des Plaines Hobbies. DPH shifted manufacturing to China, and the kits are sold under their "S Scale America" brand. DPH did not buy any of the existing/remaining PRS inventory, nor any of the pre-decorated kits, so John's son sold the remaining stock under their "Gold Coast" name on eBay. Please note that Des Plaines Hobbies currently owns the Pacific Rail Shops name and tooling.

Palace Car Co.

This company produces S-scale passenger car seats and kits.

Pazan Hobbies

Pecos River Brass

Pennsy Mainline Models

Pennsy S Models

Pennsylvania Heritage Models

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

2012: Tom passed away.
The company produced some unique products for S-scale, especially related to traction modeling. In the 2011 Spring 1:64 Modeling Guide issue there is a note stating that effective January 1, 2011, PA Heritage Models will no longer produce S-scale products (the company was predominantly an O-scale manufacturer). When Tom passed away, this abruptly ended the company.

Perma-Bilt Models

???? started (earliest confirmed date was 1952)
???? bought by ACE Model Railroad Company.

Phillips' Models

Pikesville Models

Pine Canyon Scale Models

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

2003: started
2008: bought by Michael Greene.

Plasticville

1947: started.

This a brand/product line owned by Bachmann Industries. The easy-to-assemble kits were manufactured in Pennsylvania from 1947 through 1984, at which point the manufacturing moved to China. The buildings are scaled to 1:64, but their windows and doors are scaled to 1:48 (O-scale), providing a compromise between American Flyer (S) and Lionel (O). With some custom work, these kits can be modified to use the correctly-sized doors and windows. There is also a Plasticville Collectors Association.

Pope Imagineering

Port Able Lines

Port Lines Hobby Supplies

An online and brick-n-mortar S-scale retail store.

Portland Locomotive Works

Pre-Size Model Specialties

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

1989: started by Norman Rockwell.
2014: bought by Linda and Steve Wolcott.

Precision Design Company

Precision Scale Co

1986: started importing brass Sn3.
2018: bought by P.F. & S Railway Supply Inc (https://www.facebook.com/PFSRailwaySupply/), a brick-n-mortar hobby store.

Precision Vintage Classics

2009: bought Berlyn Locomotive Works Sn3 product line.
????: bought Tomalco parts product line.

Prototype S Parts

2003: fire destroyed masters and inventory.
2018: Pre-Size Model Specialties buys the product line.

Putt Trains

1996: bought Rex product line.

See also "Rex Engineering".

Quality Craft Models

????: bought by Gloor Craft Models.
Kinsman Scale Models was the dealer for the kits. Quality Craft Models was the original name of Weaver Models.

Queen Tool & Mfg. Co.

2017: Dave died
They manufactured a gondola and a boom tender car kit, both based on Rex Engineering flat cars.

R.S.S.V.P. Models

????: bought by John Porter.
1995: John died.

Rail Scale Models

2018: bought part of the Rusty Stumps product line.

Railmaster Exports

1966: started.
1974: with his brass caster, Jeff Thompson, came up with the name Railmaster.
1984: started exporting Sn3 kits via Scenery Unlimited.
1988: sold Railmaster, with a commitment to not sell any kits in New Zealand for three years thereafter.
Railmaster Exports was born to only sell outside New Zealand.
2000s: for a few years a company in California, "Railmaster Hobbies", served as the company's U.S. distributor.
2017: John Agnew indicated that Railmaster Hobbies are no longer his U.S. distributor (order only directly from him).

Railroad Art

In the April 1995 Model Railroader magazine, the company announced a run of the PRR H39 three-bay hopper car. John died shortly after getting the project started, and it was taken over by Des Plaines Hobbies.

Regal Kits

1961: started
1970: closed
1971: bought by Wisconsin Central Supply.

Rem's Railroad Models

Renoster Scale Models Limited

Reviresco

2004: company started.

Rex Engineering

1951: started. The 0-4-0 was their first product. Paul Culp and his brothers made all the tooling and dies for Rex.
????: founder Bert passed away.
1960: bought by John Sudimak and Howard Phillips, operated as "S&P Distributors".
1968: earliest known product catalog was created.
????: the partnership splits up and John Sudimak continued it under the name of "Rex S Gauge Models".
1984: John Sudimak dies. His son Jack continues the business in Medina, Ohio.
1993: Jack adds partner.
1996: Jack sells the company to Putt Trains (Terry Putt).
2012: Jack Sudimak died.
2014: Terry indicated that he might revive the line after his retirement, but for now it is dormant.

Ridgehill Scale Models

2014: Oliver died.
Oliver's son, David, also an avid S-scale modeler, will continue the company.

Rio Grande Models

Its specialty was D&RGW Maintenance-of-Way equipment.

River Raisin Models

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

1987: company started.
2007: Jim retired from the company.

Rocky Mountain Model Works

1997: Jim died.

This company produced some S-scale structure kits, primarily focused on narrow-gauge territories. Jim's Sn3 Colorado & Southern layout was open as part of the 1997 NASG Convention layout tours.

RSLaserKits

2004: started.
An article with photos of the facilities appears in the July 2016 issue of the NASG's Dispatch.

Rustermier

Rusty Stumps Scale Models

2002: the company started.
2018: The company sold their kits and laser-cut parts to Rail Scale Models, and Walt retired.
2020: Walt came out of retirement (because he was bored) and switched to producing detailing parts in cast and 3D-printed resin.

S DeSignS

1989: started.
2017: closed.

S Scale America

1991: sold HO-scale line to devote to S only.
1994: bought by Des Plaines Hobbies.
2009: Larry died.

S Scale Locomotive & Supply

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

1962: Claud starts producing parts for steam locomotives (patterns were made by various modelers; castings were made by external contractors on bids).
1989: bought by Bob Hartzel, and Claud retires (Bob continued the same practice as Claud did).
1998: bought by Fred Rouse, who re-built the inventory (patterns were made by Simon Parent, but Fred started casting himself as external contractors were too expensive).
2003: Fred moved the company to Florida.
2005: Claud passed away.
2016: Fred sold the casting business, machinery, and inventory (the purchaser was not announced); Fred retains the "S Scale Locomotive & Supply" name.

A side note: Steam Depot never owned SSL&S. They had a lot of parts in their inventory. Fred Rouse bought out Steam Depot's inventory of SSL&S when he took over SSL&S, as he found that he could buy them cheaper than having to make them again.

S-Helper Service

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

1989: started by Don Thompson and Mike Ferraro. Started working with American Models.
1995: stopped working with American Models, and started their own product line under "The Showcase Line".
2010: Sanda Kan (the main Chinese manufacturer) stopped making models for many companies, including S-Helper Service.
2012: nearing retirement age and not being able to retrieve their tooling from China, Don announced that MTH Electric Trains bought the company's tooling.
2012: Dave's Twacks & Trains bought the remaining parts inventory and shop tools.
2014: MTH releases their first S-scale products based on the original S-Helper Service tooling.
2020: Mike Wolf (MTH) announces his retirement, with the intent to close the company.
2021: MTH releases the fishbelly hopper, which was their first new S-scale product (designed by SHS), which sold out very quickly.
2021: In January MTH and ScaleTrains.com announced that ScaleTrains bought the MTH (former S-Helper Service) tooling.

The purpose of S-Helper Service, initially, was to help manufacturers bring new products to market by providing the initial funding (hence the company's name). This bought them the exclusive right to the project until the investment was paid back. They started working with American Models. This allowed American Models to produce S-scale versions of the Alco FA-2/FB-2, PA, and RS-3 engines, the EMD GP35, the GG1, and the 4-6-2 engines, and the heavyweight passenger cars. Most of these are still available via American Models and their dealers. The passenger cars were originally sold in S-Helper Service boxes.

San Juan Decals

2017: Dan passed away.
2017: bought by San Juan Car Company.
2018: merged into the The San Juan Model Company.

Sandy River Car Shops

ScaleTrains.com

2015: the company was started by several individuals who previously worked for Athearn (Horizon Hobbies).
2021: In January MTH and ScaleTrains.com announced that ScaleTrains bought the MTH (former S-Helper Service) tooling.

ScaleTrains.com has levels of details that they offer with their products. So, the same model is produced but with varying levels of details, at decreasing prices, namely: "Museum Quality", "Rivet Counter", and "Operator". It is unknown at this time if they are planning on offering a similar tier structures for their S-scale products. S-scale products are not expected until at least 2022, but probably later, as their first focus is to integrate the MTH HO-scale product line.

Scenery Unlimited

1983: imports Shinohara S, Sn3 track
1985: S, Sn3 flextrack
2018: stops publishing "Sn3 Modeler"
2019: stops publishing "S Gaugian" after 57 years.
2019: closed, following Don Heimburger's retirement. Port Lines Hobby Supply bought the remaining inventory, including resin kit molds.
2019: closed Heimburger Publishing House.

Schreiner Scale Models

2004: Norm died.
The company manufactured resin kits for passenger cars. He worked on the Scenery Unlimited display layout.

Seltzer's

Vince Amoto, owner of Hobby Surplus Sales, bought up the remaining inventory of A.C. Gilbert car bodies at the bankruptcy auction, for literally pennies on the dollar (several truck trailer full of them, requiring dedicated storage). Details are unclear of whether Josh Seltzer was hired by Hobby Surplus to paint these car bodies, or if Josh Seltzer bought the car bodies, painted them, and then sold them back to Hobby Surplus. The subject opinion was that the work that Josh did was on par with what A.C. Gilbert would have done with the cars.

Sloan

Smoky Mountain Model Works

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

1990: Jim King started producing HO-scale kits.
2002: the company became his full-time business.
2006: added S-scale kits to the product line.

SouthWind Models

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

1985: started.
1996: Bill Wade left the company, but took over the SouthWind Models' detailing parts line, to supplement his own B.T.S. product line, while Jettie continued to focus on producing brass cars and engines. Although the company is dormant now, Jettie still owns the name.

SpecCast

1974: started in Rockford, Illinois.
1986: bought by Dave Bell, and moved to Dyersville, Iowa.

Standard Railway Castings Company

Star Hobby Products

Produced a line of colorful card stock lithographed and embossed box car sides.

Star Models

Steam Depot

2008: John died.
For a while they were the U.S. distributor of some of New Zealand's Railmaster Exports' product line.

Stewart Locomotive Works

Stewart Products

Bought by Ye Olde Huff-N-Puff.
2018: bought by LaBelle Woodworking.

Stoney Creek Designs

Strafford Scale Models

late 1940s: started.

Stratford Metal Products Company

It manufactured stock car, box car, and reefer kits, track and tie strip, and a day coach, baggage, Pullman, and diner car sides (which were made by Exacta in California). The parts were sold under the name Franklin Trains.

Sunset Models, Inc.

1975: started by Mort Mann.
Scott Mann continues to run the company under the name Golden Gate Models.

Sunshine Models

1972: started.
1980: bought by Scenery Unlimited.

Super Scale Models

1940s: started.

The Super Scale Models passenger car kits were quite similar to Exacta's kits.

Sylvania Models

1950: started.

Gene Fletcher took over Midgage Models and renamed it to Sylvania.

Taurus Products

Owned Classic Miniatures product line.

The Cimarron Works

2003: started.
????: merged into The Leadville Shops.
2018: merged into The San Juan Model Company.

The Hopper Line

Manufactured structure kits in the mid-1980s.

The Leadville Shops

2018: merged into The San Juan Model Company.

The Monon Shop

The Nord Company

The Nord name was part of the Stinson Model Company. Nord engines were produced after WWII and continued to be sold under the Stinson name into the 1950s.

The San Juan Model Company

2018: started by merging several companies.
2019: bought Rail Graphics decals.
This company was formed by merging several companies (some owned by the owners): Grandt Line (this company name was retired at the request of the Grandt family), San Juan Car Company, San Juan Decals, American Limited Models, and The Leadville Shops.

The Supply Car

Thomas A Yorke

Tom's Turnouts & Trackwork

2005: Tom starts the business.
2019: Tom retires (the web site remains active for historical purposes).

Tomalco

1946: started.
1962: bought by Avery "Swede" Norlin (created Sn3). Introduced the code 100 standard-gauge and narrow-gauge flextrack product line.
1976: imported 500 models of D&RGW C-16 #223 in both Sn3 and Sn42.
1979: bought by Robert Sloan.
1992: bought by Building & Structure Co. Introduced the #6 code 70 Sn3 turnout (reviewed in the October 1996 issue of the S/Sn3 Modeling Guide magazine).
1998: brass parts sold to banta modelworks; car parts sold to Tru-Scale Models.
2001: P-B-L bought narrow-gauge track product line
2003: Bob McCarthy bought standard-gauge track product line.
2004: Larry Morton bought the standard-gauge track product line from Bob McCarthy, which he runs as Tomalco Track.
2015: Precision Vintage Classics (Paul Vaughn) bought the remaining Tomalco Parts Line (locomotive and car detailing parts, and narrow-gauge track products).

Tomalco Track

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

2004: bought by Larry Morton (standard-gauge track products only) from Bob McCarthy.

Tomy

1924: the company was founded as Tomiyama Toy Seisakusho, manufacturing toy airplanes.
1951: after WWII started expanding its toy product lines.
1960: expanded its offices into the U.S. and Europe.
1970s: opened its first factory in Singapore.
1984: the company went public.
1988: the company started diversifying its product lines.
2006: Takara and Tomy merged, becoming TOMY Co, Ltd.

Tomy owns Ertl and the "Johnny Lightning" brand names.

Top Shelf Replicas

2018: bought by Matt Cassety.

Train & Trooper

Train & Trooper was a full service model train shop specializing in New England Railroading and the Maine narrow gauge. For the S-scale market, they specialized in narrow-gauge products, including Sn2 and Sn3. Reportedly Crusader Rail Services bought most of the company's inventory. At the 2018 Midwest Narrow Gauge Show, Train & Trooper announced their return, and the owners are considering producing an Sn2 steam locomotive.

Train Stuff (!#@*?! Train Stuff)

Won the NASG's Charlie Sandersfeld Memorial Manufacturer's Award

1975: started.
1982: bought by Wayne & Diane Pier (Larsen, WI).

They produced a variety of S-scale cast-resin contemporary freight and heavyweight passenger car kits. Don Thompson reported that the resin castings were made of polyester, poured into RTV molds. The metal parts were spun-cast in black rubber molds with pewter or white RTV molds in zinc S1 alloy. The patterns were made by several S-scale modelers: Stan Stokrocki, Dick Lind, Bill Boucher, and Pat Conlin. Don said that at one point they were releasing a new kit every two months. They were doing runs of about 100 kits, but Don wanted to switch to injection-modeling, to increase the number of items he could produce. He said that they worked with Jan Lorenzen of Locomotive Workshop to produce S-scale injection molded 50-foot box cars. They contacted several tooling and injection molding houses, but were unable to seal a deal.

Later, Wayne continued to expand the line to include a heavyweight 12-1 Pullman and several vintage freight cars including the PRR X29, and a single and double sheathed ARA box cars, as well as several structure kits.

Triangle Scale Models

late-1970s: started.
1984: bought "Village Depot" product line.
1985: There seems to be some confusion as to who bought the Triangle Scale Models product line. There is an indication that the company was sold to "FinestKind Models". However, starting in 1985, "P-B-L", in their literature, seems to indicate that they owned the product line.
????: the product line was bought by "Wiseman Model Services".
2019: "Wiseman Model Services" indicated that they only have the Sn3 rolling stock originally produced by Triangle Scale Models, and that "Turner Model Works" took over the Triangle Scale Models and FinestKind Models structure kits. However, recently, Turner Model Works sold those products to Tim Moat (an O-scale manufacturer).

Trout Creek Engineering

The company bought the Classic Miniatures product line of S-scale structures in 2003.

Tru-scale Models

1998: bought Tomalco car parts line.

They manufactured milled roadbed, switch blocks, assembled turnouts, and milled roadbed with track in S-scale.

Turner Model Works

Twin Whistle Sign & Kit Co.

1992: started.

V&T Shops

bought by Wiseman Model Services.

Village Depot

1980s: bought "Triangle Scale Models" product line.
????: bought by Steve & Dorothy Bishop.
This brick-n-mortar store carried quite a bit of Sn3 products, including P-B-L, until P-B-L started selling direct. Steve and Dorothy Bishop moved the store into a former depot building.

W.A. Drake & Co.

1997: started.

Bill was also the store manager of the large Denver-based Caboose Hobbies model railroad store. Bill's S-scale standard-gauge layout was open as part of the 1997 NASG Convention layout tours.

Wabash Valley Models

Charlie also owned Omnicon Scale Models during the mid-1980s. Wabash Valley Models acquired the Enhorning F unit molds. The molding processes were improved to eliminate a hump in the roof of the Enhorning shells. The company Model RR Warehouse still has the original F-unit shells available. Some more details can be found in an article by Gerry Evans in the October 2006 issue of the NASG Dispatch.

West Shore Line

This was a brand name/product line created by Central Hobby Supply to sell products they had commissioned to be made by Funaro and Camerlengo. These were resin kits of specific steel cars built by prototype railroad shops in the 1920s.

Western Car Shops

1999: started.

Kits were made by Pacific Rail Shops, which Western Car Shops repainted for other railroad names.

Western Scale Models

1983: started in Northbridge, California.
2013: bought by Wild West Scale Model Builders.

Wild West Scale Model Builders

2004: started designing kits.
2013: bought Western Scale Models.

William Flatt

Willy Monaghan

Winross

late-1960s: started.
1978: switched from making commercial toys to producing corporate advertising products using their diecast models.

Wisconsin Central Supply

1971: purchased Regal Kits.

Wiseman Model Services

2008: started.
????: bought the V&T product line.
????: bought the MDC parts product line (including HO-to-Sn3 conversion kits).

Doug Peck provided a listing of all the companies that Wiseman has bought over the years:
McKenzie Iron & Steel kits, Detail Parts and Plans
Hetch Hetchy Models Dolbeer & Boiler kits
American Model Builders O scale Tractors and On3/On30 Rolling Stock kits
The Back Shop O scale Brass Detail Parts
Durango Press O scale kits and Detail Parts
Smoky Mountain Model Works O scale, On3/On30, and HOn3 kits
The National Motor Co. HO and O scale Vehicle kits
Thomas A. Yorke Ent. On30 Freight Car kits
The V&T Shops kits and Detail Parts
Valley Car Works O scale Detail Parts
Calaveras Scale Models kits
Star Models Passenger Car kits
Triangle Scale Models Sn3 Freight Cars and Detail Parts
Railway Engineering Agency HO kits
Pacific Short Line On3/On30 Freight Car kits
Rapid Motor Co. division of SS ltd. Vehicle kits
Walker Model Services kits and Detail Parts
On-Trak Models kits and Detail Parts
MDC Roundhouse HO scale Shay kits and Detail Parts
LeeTown Models Rail Trucks
Rogers Locomotive Works On3/On30 Freight Car kits
Russ Simpson Hon3 Rolling Stock kits and All scales Decals
PBL / Foothill Model Works S scale Structure kits
Gloor Craft Models kits and Detail Parts
N scale of Nevada kits and Detail Parts
Keith Camino and Darr Scale Models Freight Car kits
Banta Model Works Detail Parts and Resin Structure kits
Building & Structure Co. S scale Structure kits
Don Winter select O scale kits and Detail Parts
(and probably a few more)

Yarmouth Model Works

Ye Olde Huff-N-Puff

2002: bought by Gene & Dorinda Metzgar
2017: Gene died
2018: bought by LaBelle Woodworking (owned by Rick Steele)