News: Company Announcements
This page lists announcements related to company-level information, such as new companies that have been formed, existing companies that are closing-up shop, ownership transfers of companies, or any other such information. Click photos to visit the web sites.
Toy Train Auction by Gabriel's Auctioneers
The company announces an auction covering American Flyer (S & HO), a selection of pre- & post-war to modern-era Lionel, a large collection of prewar and vintage Marx, and G-scale garden trains and accessories. The auction will be held on Sunday, April 19th, 2026 at 1pm, in Walpole, MA. 400 lots, live auction only, no online bidding, but absentee & phone bidding available. Packing & shipping available.
Scale Trains Q&A Live Stream Recorded
The video is set to start at the point where they start to discuss S-scale.
Mike McCarville Presentation
Mike McCarville, of McCarville Studios, made a brief presentation about his background, his company, and his laser-cut kits.
The Lionel Merger (updated)
Praesidian Capital's portfolio company, Round 2, acquires Lionel, LLC, and creates the new company under the name "Lionel Brands Group" with Richard Barry as its CEO.
Round 2 was started in 2005 by Tom Lowe who wanted to revive legacy diecast model brands. They now own AMT, MPC, Hawk/Lindberg, Polar Lights, Auto World, American Muscle, Johnny Lightning, Racing Champions, and Classic Metal Works.
Lionel Racing, a division of Lionel, LLC started in 2013, owns the brand name "NASCAR Authentics" which has the exclusive rights to produce NASCAR 1:24 and 1:64 diecast vehicles, as well as NHRA and ARCA models.
Lionel Brands Group is a home for iconic, fan-first brands focused on modern collectibles, including its legacy model trains, die-cast vehicles, model kits, slot cars, and other hobby products. Serving passionate communities of fans, hobbyists, and collectors across categories where authenticity and craftsmanship matter, the company owns several well-known brands, including Lionel, Lionel Racing, AMT, Polar Lights, Hawk, MPC, Lindberg, Auto World, and Big Country Toys. The company produces products through dozens of licensing agreements with iconic brands, such as NASCAR, Disney, Warner Bros., The Polar Express, Johnny Lightning, Racing Champions, General Motors, Ford, Star Trek, and Star Wars.
Introducing RR Craftsman
We were contacted by RR Craftsman's owner, Glenn Barnas, to inform us that they carry several items for S-scale modelers, the latest of which is cork roadbed material available in strips and rolls. They also carry 3D-printed parts and kits.
MyMiniFactory Acquires Thingiverse
Thingiverse is a web site known for its many free designs for you to download and print on your own 3D-printer. They announced that they have been bought out by MyMiniFactory. MyMiniFactory is similar in concept, but they also make it easy for designers to actually make some money off of their designs. So, designers have the choice of offering their designs for free or for a fee. Since both of these web sites list just about anything, you will have to do some searching on your own to find something in 1:64 or that can be scaled to S-scale.
La Belle Woodworking Closing
The owner of La Belle Woodworking has announced on his web site that he plans to close the company in June of 2026 due to wanting to retire, after running the company since 2001. The significance of this announcement to us in S-scale is that in 2018 the company bought Ye Olde Huff-N-Puff's product line. Also, the owner indicated at that time that they became the owner of the original Nixon Model Co's trucks. Additionally, they offered S-scale decals. The owner is open to offers for someone to take over the company and/or the product line(s).
Rex Models For Sale
Terry Putt announced on Facebook that he is offering the Rex product line for sale.
Introducing Ridgeway Models
Ridgeway Models is based in Cabot, Pennsylvania and they manufacture and sell 3D-printed items. These include a grain elevator kit, road maintenance vehicles, tractor/trailer loads, strobe lights for construction trucks, stand-alone V8 engine, watering through, barrels, jugs, drums, cattle-management structures, cement blocks, drag-line bucket, roadway barriers, pallets, feedsacks, and more. Too much to list all here, so take a look at their web site.
European S Nostalgia
If you are curious about what was happening in Europe with regard to S modeling at the same time that A.C. Gilbert was producing S in the U.S., Dutchman Fred van der Lubbe has updated his own book and posted a video on YouTube featuring information and trains by the East-German company Stadtilm, West-German BUB, and the French JEP (Joue de Paris, "Toys of Paris"). All companies disappeared in the 1960s, but they produced metal engines and cars that ran on 7/8"-gauge track, and can still be found on the secondary market today.
Modelu's New Web Site
Modelu has switched their web site to use Shopify. It is quite different from their original web site, so take your time to get acquainted with it. They don't explicitly mention S-scale any more on their individual product pages. After contacting them, they stated that they do plan to add S (and other missing) scales to their pages. The recommendation is to order the "O-scale" version, and then in the check-out comments/notes indicate that you want the S-scale version. They do still support S-scale figures, but they just don't have an easy way to indicate that on their web site.
Possible Future Kits (updated) by Smoky Mountain Model Works
Jim King has narrowed-down the choice of the next box car kits to those shown on his web site's linked-to page. He shows the O-scale page, but the same car would or could be made in S-scale. Contact him to let him know in which car(s) you are interested and in how many you would like.
Start an e-mail message (jimking3@charter.net).
MTH Continues On
While MTH no longer deals with S-scale, the recent Classic Toy Trains magazine interview with their current owners, does mention their S-scale tooling. Even though Mike Wolf retired in 2021, he has now come back to the company and they are solely focused on O-scale, the old Standard Gauge, and Gauge 1 products. In the interview they explain why Mike retired, and why he is now active again.
S-n-S Trains Plans to Re-open in December
Bill Sheneman, owner of the repair service company S-n-S Trains, is still in the process of moving the company back to Oregon, to be closer to family. During the move, Bill will offer some limited services. Bill is expecting to have the full shop set up by the first week of December 2025. His web site will be updated after that. His new location will have more space than he had before. He wanted to thank everyone for their patience while this move is taking place.
FlyerCreations
FlyerCreations is Austin Birkey's venture in providing much-needed A.C. Gilbert American Flyer-compatible cars, track components, and accessories. He offers both new products as well as reconditioned items.
Modelu Figures Available Again
Modelu just announced that U.S. customers ordering via their web site will now automatically see a 10% import charge on both the products and the postage, but it eliminates the previously expected $80 surcharge. They stated that if/when the tariffs are removed, their web site will immediately reflect that change as well in the future.
Modelu Distributorship
Back in July 2023, the U.K.-based company Modelu announced that Yarmouth Model Works, owned by Pierre Oliver and based in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, was their North American distributor for Modelu 3D-printed figures. This week's announcement by Pierre is that he is both closing Yarmouth Model Works (a predominantly HO-scale resin kit manufacturing business) and his Modelu distributorship due to the tariff issues between the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. This effectively means that U.S. customers can no longer buy Modelu figures, until the company can find a U.S.-based solution.
Phoenix Model Buildings Buys RSLaserKits (updated)
Scott Grubbs started Phoenix Model Buildings this year as he met two gentlemen who wanted to retire from their respective companies (both producing similar laser-cut laserboard-based kits). One of those companies is RSLaserKits. RSLaserKits' owner Richard Shepard announced on his web site that he has decided to retire at almost 80 years old. That company makes several kits and detailing parts for S-scale, including a pickle car kit. Scott was at the NMRA's National Train Show this month and showed some of the S-scale items. It is good to know that another S-scale product line is going to continue. Update: the web site now lists the S-scale items for sale.
Leadville Designs Upcoming Projects
Bill Meredith, of Leadville Designs, presents all of the ongoing and upcoming projects his company is involved in. While he covers all scales, the company is a major contributor of Sn3 models.
Trains.com Interviews Lionel CEO
The interview mostly covers O scale modeling, but the topic of the future of American Flyer is brought up, basically repeating what has already been disseminated before.
San Juan Details Buys Precision Vintage Classics
Doug Junda announced that San Juan Details has completed the purchase of the former Precision Vintage Classics. Owner Paul Vaughn passed away in December 2024. His company had a lot of interesting and unique products available, mostly for S-scale narrow-gauge modeling, but also for S standard-gauge. Doug announces that they have moved the items to their shop in Colorado and are currently going through them. He stated that they will be integrated as part of their San Juan Details company. Also included in the purchase was Paul's personal Sn3 and On3/On30 items, which they will offer up for sale as well, in due time.
The future of American Flyer products from Lionel
Classic Toy Trains magazine editor interviewed Lionel CEO Howard Hitchcock and asked him about the future of American Flyer.
Scalecoat Paints Returns
Fusion Scale Hobbies started in 2021 as an online shop. Later they decided to open a full-service brick-n-mortar hobby shop. In early 2025 they moved to a new location in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This month they are announcing that they have bought the Scalecoat product line from MinuteMan Scale Models, who had stopped production in 2022. They are still in the process of ramping up production. They have a dedicated web site for just the Scalecoat product line.
Sidetracks on eBay
Tom Henderson, owner of the online retail store Sidetracks, passed away in 2023. Tom's health had been declining, so he was in the process of selling off his large inventory of S products. He still had a lot of items left at the time of his passing. Most items are one-off. Tom's wife, Margaret, has decided to simply sell the remaining inventory via a new eBay store that she has set up. This helps her determine which items are worth selling, and she is also able to manage the workload of listing lots of items for sale. If interested, be sure to visit this eBay store from time to time. So far, Margaret has stated that it is going well and she is happy with the results. Remember, most items are one-off, so be sure to bid on them if you see something you like.
The Aspen Modeling Company Presentation
Alan Anderson, owner of the well-known figures-making company, The Aspen Modeling Company, did a presentation on the Narrow Gauge Off the Beaten Track YouTube channel recently.
NE Model Works
NE Model Works used to only sell on the former Shapeways, but the owner has now started his own web site. He continues to carry S-scale products, including new ones. The Loewy press is an example of the owner having a press made in HO-scale but Bill Morris of NE Prototypes asking him if he could change the lettering and size the model up to S-scale.
Trout Creek Engineering
Trout Creek Engineering's web site appears to be up and active again. Their new contact information is as follows:
c/o San Juan Model Co
8141 N I-70 Frontage Rd Suite 5
Arvada, CO 80002
doug@sanjuanmodelco.com
ScaleTrains And Tariffs
Shane Wilson, president of ScaleTrains, explains the reality of the tariffs the U.S. has placed on Chinese-made products, how that might impact them, and the solution that they have decided to implement to keep the company going. He also answers the question about why they don't make model trains in the U.S. Note that the ScaleTrains S-scale reefers aren't scheduled to arrive until October 2025, so by then the tariff situation may have changed. Items the company still has in stock, today, are not affected.
Railmaster Exports (update)
John Agnew wants to sell Railmaster Exports. If you are interested in either ordering one or more kits, or are interested in purchasing and continuing this important product line (he will work with you to make this happen), please contact John a.s.a.p.
Start an e-mail message (john@railmaster.co.nz).
Trainz.com Acquires Lionel TMCC and Legacy Parts
From the press release: Trainz has acquired all of the Lionel TMCC1 and modular Legacy conventional reverse and sound printed circuit boards (PCBs). These parts include Odyssey 1 motor drivers, Legacy motor drivers, R2LCs, R4LCs, and Railsounds 2, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 4E, 5.0, 5.5 and 6.0. Trainz has also acquired conventional reverse units for AC and DC motors, as well as conventional sound units for steam, diesel and electric locomotives. Trainz.com owner, Scott Griggs, stated "There will be a lot of happy Lionel customers when word gets out that they can get [the parts to have] their trains repaired. The outlook is bright for years to come."
Be sure to see all, or other, products announced over the past year via the main News page.