Resources - Scratchbuilding
This page lists companies that manufacture and/or sell items you may need to build your own models. Note that not all electronics companies are listed here; only the ones that specifically carry S-scale products, or have indicated that they support S-scale modelers.
Bare Metal Foil
Contact Info: web site
Decals: bare-metal foils for automobiles
Miscellaneous: tools; mold-making and casting materials; decal film
Scratchbuilding: metal foil
Vehicles: metal foil
Blue Rail Hobbies
Contact Info: web site
Decals: various brands
Layout Scenery: bridge parts
Rolling Stock: passenger car detailing parts, couplers, wheelsets
Scratchbuilding: parts, sheet goods, strip styrene
Structures: various brands
Track Components: Lionel
Vehicles: various brands
Bob The Train Guy
Contact Info: web site
Miscellaneous: tools
Scenery: fences, detailing parts, Tichy street signs, vegetation
Scratchbuilding: Evergreen Scale Models
Structures: AM Models, American Model Builders, Bar Mills, Branchline Laser Art, GC Laser kits; Tichy parts
Track Components: wheelstops, Bright Boy, Circuitron Tortoise
Trackside: Tichy signs, crossbucks
Brunel Hobbies
Contact Info: web site; Australia
Miscellaneous: display cases, tools, cradle to hold model while working on it
Scratchbuilding: corrugated metal shaping tool, handrail bending jig
Builders in Scale
Contact Info: web site; Mukilteo, Washington
Miscellaneous: drawings, tools, weathering materials
Scenery: snow, sand, mud, seaweed, fences, rocks
Scratchbuilding: metal siding/roofing
Structures: shingles
C. C. Crow
Contact Info: web site
Scratchbuilding: hydrocal brick walls
Structures: D&RGW roundhouse walls
Central Coast Trains
Contact Info: web site; Atascadero, California
Electronics: Soundtraxx
Locomotives: Lionel, Kadee couplers
Miscellaneous: Soundtraxx installation certified
Rolling Stock: Lionel, Kadee couplers
Scratchbuilding: Evergreen Styrene
Track Components: contact company for current inventory
Clover House
Contact Info: web site
Decals: freight car decals; dry transfers: alphabet, steam locomotives, passenger car, stripes, chalk marks, structures
Scratchbuilding: glass, wood strips
Track Components: PC ties, spikes, Sn3 track gauge, Gapmaster
Custom Model Creations LLC
Committed to S-scale
Contact Info: web site
Scenery: road-work signs & cones, chainsaw, fire-call box, construction trailer, jackstands
Scratchbuilding: cinder blocks
Structures: office furniture, refrigerator, security cameras, above-ground backyard pool
Vehicles: truck detailing parts (work truck beds), trailers, loads, snowmobile
Evergreen Scale Models
Committed to S-scale
Contact Info: web site
Scratchbuilding: styrene sheet goods, strips
Hunterline
Committed to S-scale
Contact Info: web site
Layout Scenery: tunnel liner, bridges, bridge piers kits
Miscellaneous: weathering mixes
Scenery: fences
Scratchbuilding: shakes (1800-1860)
JR Junction Train & Hobby
Contact Info: web site; e-mail; 2716 Erie Boulevard East, Syracuse, New York 13224 (315) 451-6551
Locomotives: Lionel, MTH, smoke fluid
Miscellaneous: authorized Lionel and MTH repair facility
Rolling Stock: MTH, Lionel
Scratchbuilding: various brands
Structures: Plasticville
Track Components: various brands
The store supports The Central New York S Gauge Association. They changed their web site in March 2019, and you now have to really dig to find what they have in stock; you can no longer look for things by scale.
K & S Engineering
Contact Info: web site
Scratchbuilding: metal supplies
Kappler Mill & Lumber Co
Committed to S-scale
Contact Info: web site
Scratchbuilding: wood sheet goods, strips
Track Components: wooden ties
Larkspur LaserArt
Committed to S-scale
Contact Info: web site
Scratchbuilding: brick sheets
Structures: hydrocal-based kits
Mainline Hobby Supply, Inc
Committed to S-scale
Contact Info: web site
Electronics: DCC, parts
Miscellaneous: tools, various paint brands; airbrushing supplies
Rolling Stock: Lionel
Scenery: Arttista figures
Scratchbuilding: wood sheet goods, strips
Midwest Products
Contact Info: web site
Scratchbuilding: wood sheet goods, strips
Mt. Albert Scale Lumber Co
Committed to S-scale
Contact Info: web site; Port Dover, Ontario
Scratchbuilding: wood sheet goods, strips
Northeastern Scale Lumber Company
Contact Info: web site
Scratchbuilding: wood sheet goods, strips
P-B-L
Committed to S-scale
Principals are S-scale modelers
Contact Info: web site
Decals: locomotives & cars decals
Layout Scenery: HO girder bridge for Sn3
Locomotives: standard-, narrow-gauge steam
Miscellaneous: Tools, Star Brand paints, Hotip resistance soldering equipment. Re-railer.
Rolling Stock: narrow-gauge freight cars, caboose kits, trucks, wheelsets, couplers, loads
Scenery: figures
Scratchbuilding: Evergreen Scale Models
Structures: narrow-gauge-related kits
Track Components: Sn3 code 70, 55 flextrack, turnouts, track gauges, Gapmaster, ties, rail joiners, spikes, Switchmaster switch machines
The main Sn3 manufacturer.
Plastruct
Contact Info: web site
Scratchbuilding: plastic sheet goods, strips
Rail Scale Models
Committed to S-scale
Contact Info: web site; 1140 Benson Road, Garner, North Carolina, 27529 (248) 421-6276
Scenery: fences, brick pier, detailing parts, Yucca plants
Scratchbuilding: plastic sheet goods
Structures: Tobacco Barn, walls, windows, doors, roofs, ladders, detailing parts
Railway Models
Contact Info: web site; PO Box 261, Bel Air, MD 21014
Scratchbuilding: plastic sheets
RSLaserKits
Committed to S-scale
Contact Info: web site
Rolling Stock: pickle car kit
Scenery: carries KMP Models kits
Scratchbuilding: doors, screendoors
Structures: laser-cut kits
Vehicles: horse-drawn farm wagon
Scenic Express
Contact Info: web site
Layout Scenery: scenic backgrounds (not S-specific)
Miscellaneous: tools
Scenery: grass, ground cover, trees, coal, rocks, fences, vegetation
Scratchbuilding: Plastruct
Track Components: ballast
Sierra Scale Models
Committed to S-scale
Contact Info: web site
Miscellaneous: weathering powders
Scenery: vegetation
Scratchbuilding: glass
Structures: cedar shingles
The San Juan Model Company
Committed to S-scale
Contact Info: web site; Denver, Colorado
Decals: Sn3
Rolling Stock: Sn3
Scratchbuilding: former Grandt Line products
Todd Architectural Models
Committed to S-scale
Contact Info: web site; Chatham, New Jersey
Scratchbuilding: large window panes (usable in S)
Structures: industrial, multi-story structure kits