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Depot G Hobbies:
(303) 345-5031
This page lists companies that manufacture and/or sell items you may need to build your own models. Note that not all companies are listed here; only the ones that specifically carry S-scale products, or have indicated that they support S-scale modelers. There are a total of 42 entries listed on this page.
(last reviewed on 11/16/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer
Address:
P. O. Box 82
City:
Farmington
State:
Michigan
Zip Code:
48332
Web Site:
e-mail:
Facebook:
Phone:
Fax:
(248) 476-3343
Founder(s):
Eldred Mason
Decals: bare-metal foils for automobiles
Miscellaneous: tools; mold-making and casting materials; decal film
Scratchbuilding: metal foil
Vehicles: metal foil
Bare-Metal Foil is the original detailing foil used to duplicate the chrome on model cars and natural metal on model aircraft. The foil is extremely thin, so details remain visible.
The concept of bare-metal foils was invented in 1970, which started this company.
(last reviewed on 11/25/2024)
Business Type:
Online Retailer
Address:
60 Sunrise Point Dr
City:
Bluffton
State:
South Carolina
Zip Code:
29909
Web Site:
e-mail:
Phone:
Founder(s):
Bob Bowditch
S Products Page: view
Miscellaneous: tools
Scenery: fences, detailing parts, Tichy street signs, vegetation, billboards, animated signs
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
(last reviewed on 11/26/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer & Retailer
City:
East Gippsland
State:
Victoria
Postal Code:
3192
Country:
Australia
Web Site:
e-mail:
Phone:
Miscellaneous: display cases, tools, cradle to hold model while working on it
Rolling Stock: handrail bending jig
Scratchbuilding: corrugated metal shaping tool
(last reviewed on 11/26/2024)
Miscellaneous: drawings, tools, weathering materials
Scenery: snow, sand, mud, seaweed, fences, rocks
Scratchbuilding: metal siding/roofing
Structures: shingles
(last reviewed on 11/26/2024)
Scratchbuilding: hydrocal brick walls
Structures: D&RGW roundhouse walls
(last reviewed on 12/01/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer & Retailer
Address:
P.O. Box 215
City:
Veradale
State:
Washington
Zip Code:
99037-0215
Web Site:
Phone:
Owner(s):
Tom Dempsey
Decals: freight car decals; dry transfers: alphabet, steam locomotives, passenger car, stripes, chalk marks, structures
Locomotives: Kadee couplers
Rolling Stock: Kadee couplers
Scratchbuilding: glass, wood strips
Track Components: PC ties, spikes, Sn3 track gauge, Sn3 Gapmaster
The company was bought by Tom Dempsey in 2011.
(last reviewed on 12/05/2024)
Business Type:
Brick-n-Mortar Retailer
Address:
950 Brocksmith ST SE
City:
Palm Bay
State:
Florida
Zip Code:
32909
Web Site:
Facebook:
Phone:
S Products Page: view
Electronics: DC, DCC, wire, transformers, speakers, electronic parts
Locomotives: Lionel, Kadee couplers, smoke fluid
Miscellaneous: paints, tools
Rolling Stock: Lionel, Kadee couplers
Scratchbuilding: K&S Metals, Evergreen Styrene, Plastruct, JTT Scenery sheets
Track Components: Lionel
(last reviewed on 12/16/2024)
Scenery: pallets
Scratchbuilding: blackened brass chain
Structures: laser-cut wooden kits of service platforms, loading dock
The eBay store was started in 2002.
(last reviewed on 07/15/2024)
3D-printed products
Rolling Stock: C&O speeder
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
Since Shapeways declared bankruptcy, and since this company only sold through Shapeways, they have effectively closed-up shop.
Started in 2011.
(last reviewed on 12/07/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer & Retailer
Address:
44718 SD HWY 34
City:
Madison
State:
South Dakota
Zip Code:
57042
Web Site:
Phone:
Fax:
(605) 256-9093
S Products Page: view
Decals: for vehicles
Layout Scenery: Woodland Scenic's materials
Miscellaneous: screws, washers, nuts, tools
Scenery: figures
Scratchbuilding: brass parts, wire, mesh
Structures: silos, grain bins
Vehicles: detailing parts
The company was started in 1995.
(last reviewed on 12/25/2024)
S Products Page: view
3D-printed products
Boats: canoes
Layout Scenery: wooden fencing, retaining wall
Scenery: moonshiner still, backyard swimming pool, ice machines, trash cans, soda/beer vending machines
Scratchbuilding: HVAC detailing parts
Structures: core building kits, loading dock, port-a-potties
Trackside: electrical boxes
(last reviewed on 12/14/2024)
Miscellaneous: The Chopper, various other tools
Scratchbuilding: styrene sheet goods, strips
The company was started in 1977. The original owner passed away (unknown year) and the family sold the company to a company in Des Plaines, IL. That company also eventually bought out Plastruct (which was relocated out of California). Both companies are now run out of the same building in Des Plaines.
(last reviewed on 02/06/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer
Address:
312-B St. Patrick Street, P.O. Box 1420
City:
Port Dover
Province:
Ontario
Postal Code:
NOA 1NO
Country:
Canada
Web Site:
e-mail:
Facebook:
Phone:
Founder(s):
Tim Warris
YouTube Channel:
S Products Page: view
Miscellaneous: drawings, track-work tools
Rolling Stock: equalized passenger car truck kit for AM 6-wheel trucks
Scratchbuilding: scale lumber (former Mt. Albert product line)
Track Components: S/Sn3/Sn2 turnout jigs, ties, rail, rail joiners, spikes, track gauges, switch machine wire
Carries just about everything you need to hand-lay track in S, Sn3, Sn2, and Sn42.
Started in 2003 to make handlaying of track more foolproof.
(last reviewed on 08/06/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer
Address:
1072 Riverbank Drive
City:
Cambridge
Province:
Ontario
Postal Code:
N3H 4R6
Country:
Canada
Web Site:
e-mail:
Phone:
Founder(s):
Rick and Maureen Hunter
S Products Page: view
Layout Scenery: tunnel liner, bridges, bridge piers kits
Miscellaneous: stains ("Weathering Mix" brand name)
Scenery: fences
Scratchbuilding: shakes (1800-1860)
The company attends many train shows in Canada and the U.S.
The company was started in 1994.
(last reviewed on 12/24/2024)
(last reviewed on 07/27/2024)
Business Type:
Brick-n-Mortar Retailer
Address:
2716 Erie Boulevard East
City:
Syracuse
State:
New York
Zip Code:
13224
Web Site:
e-mail:
Phone:
S Products Page: view
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.
(last reviewed on 05/12/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer
Address:
6911 W 59th St
City:
Chicago
State:
Illinois
Zip Code:
60638
Web Site:
e-mail:
Facebook:
Phone:
Owner(s):
Walter Findysz
Founder(s):
Wally Simmers
Scratchbuilding: brass, aluminum, copper, tin coated, stainless steel, phosphorus bronze wire, music wire, foils, and stock
The company was started in 1946. They bought Special Shapes when its owner passed away. They bought the company, primarily for their milling machines. They also bought their remaining inventory of brass stock, which they, reportedly, sold the last of it in 2020.
(last reviewed on 04/17/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer
City:
Hot Sulphur Springs
State:
Colorado
Zip Code:
80451
Web Site:
e-mail:
Phone:
Owner(s):
Pete Cross
Founder(s):
Frank Kappler
Scratchbuilding: wood sheet goods, strips
Track Components: wooden ties
After Frank's death, the company changed hands many times, sometimes leading to unavailability of product. In 1997, the then owner rebuilt the company's stock as well as recommitting the company to Frank's original tight tolerances. In April 2024, Pete Cross, owner of Cross Custom Woodworking (a custom woodworking company) bought out the company and moved it from Arlington, Washington to Hot Sulphur Springs,
Colorado. Pete is a mechanical engineer.
(last reviewed on 02/15/2024)
3D-printed products
Rolling Stock: scale 36" square hatches for ACF 70-ton cement hoppers.
Scratchbuilding: various laser-cut staircase kits
Track Components: Hayes bumper
Mike developed these products and may have them available. Contact Mike to see if he still has them, or can make them for you.
Business Type:
Manufacturer
Address:
5101 Ridge Road
City:
Cheyenne
State:
Wyoming
Zip Code:
82009
Web Site:
Phone:
Fax:
(307) 433-9949
Founder(s):
Rick Steele
Decals: rolling stock
Scratchbuilding: chains
In 2018 they bought Ye Olde Huff-N-Puff. The new owner has indicated that they own the original Nixon Model Co's trucks, but he has not yet studied them.
(last reviewed on 08/18/2024)
Business Type:
Brick-n-Mortar Retailer
Address:
15066 Buchanan Trl E
City:
Blue Ridge Summit
State:
Pennsylvania
Zip Code:
17214
Web Site:
e-mail:
Phone:
S Products Page: view
American Flyer accessories
Electronics: DCC, parts
Miscellaneous: tools, various paint brands; airbrushing supplies
Rolling Stock: Lionel, MTH
Scenery: Arttista figures
Scratchbuilding: wood sheet goods, strips
Track Components: Lionel, GarGraves
(last reviewed on 11/23/2024)
3D-printed products
Miscellaneous: tools organizers
Scratchbuilding: doors
Structures: 3D-printed kits
(last reviewed on 12/16/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer
Address:
400 S. Indiana St
City:
Hobart
State:
Indiana
Zip Code:
46342
Web Site:
e-mail:
Phone:
Founder(s):
Frank Garcher and Wally Simmers
The company was started by two friends in 1952. Midwest Products merged with Saunders Manufacturing to form Saunders Midwest LLC, in March 2016.
(last reviewed on 11/30/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer
City:
Colorado Springs
State:
Colorado
Zip Code:
80918
Web Site:
Facebook:
Phone:
Founder(s):
Jimmy Simmons
YouTube Channel:
The company was started in 2010. In 2018, the owner got a fulltime job and had to close the company. However, in 2020, he restarted under the new name "Larkspur LaserArt", because the company has expanded to do more than just model kits. Monster Modelworks is now a brand name under the parent company.
(last reviewed on 08/29/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer
Address:
320 St. Patrick St.
City:
Port Dover
Province:
Ontario
Country:
Canada
Web Site:
Facebook:
Phone:
YouTube Channel:
Scratchbuilding: wood sheet goods, strips
When the owner decided to retire, Fast Tracks Hobbyworks, Inc bought out the company, and now continues to make the same items available under that brand name.
(last reviewed on 05/23/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer & Retailer
Address:
1140 Riverview Rd.
City:
Dauphin
State:
Pennsylvania
Zip Code:
17018
Web Site:
e-mail:
Phone:
Founder(s):
Kevin Macomber
Miscellaneous: modeling paints, including remaining Floquil
Rolling Stock: various loads (not listed on their site; ask them for a listing)
Scenery: detailing parts, machinery, culverts
Scratchbuilding: plastic sheet goods
Structures: windows, vents
Although the company is primarily focused on O-scale products, they do have items that are of use in S-scale, and Kevin is quite active on the Sn3 Groups.io discussion mailing list.
(last reviewed on 09/02/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer
Address:
99 Cross Street
City:
Methuen
State:
Massachusetts
Web Site:
e-mail:
Phone:
Founder(s):
James Doyle
Scratchbuilding: wood sheet goods, strips
The company was started in 1946. We have received a report from one gentleman who visited the shop in 1946 where he found all models in the show room were built in S-scale by James' 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.
(last reviewed on 09/03/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer
Address:
P.O. Box 769
City:
Ukiah
State:
California
Zip Code:
95482
Web Site:
e-mail:
Phone:
Founder(s):
Bill Peter
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. It is believed that Pacific Fast Mail manufactured unpainted figures, which they sold directly, and also sold wholesale to P-B-L. Keren Booth, of P-B-L, hand-painted many of those and they were sold at retail by P-B-L. June's Small World was another painter and reseller of these figures, hence you might find duplicates. A recent interview with Jimmy Booth
The company was started in 1971 in Chama, New Mexico 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. In 1980 they released their first Sn3 locomotive, the K-37, followed by the K-27 (#453 and #461). In 1981 they bought the Cascade Line of Sn3 kits and trucks. At some point in time they bought the C&S plastic freight car kits from Overland Models, Inc. (who, in turn, it is believed, bought them from Berlyn Locomotive Works). In 1986 P-B-L 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. In 1990 they 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). As it turns out, the molds for the Sn3 track components are owned by P-B-L, but they reside at Micro Engineering, who are the ones that actually make the products for P-B-L. Video of interview with Bill Peter. Video of Jimmy Booth talking about brass trains (here's another one). The company is run by Bill Peter, Jimmy Booth, and Keren Booth.
(last reviewed on 02/24/2024)
Business Type:
Brick-n-Mortar Retailer
Address:
4007 Bellaire Blvd, Suite E
City:
Houston
State:
Texas
Zip Code:
77025
Web Site:
e-mail:
Facebook:
Phone:
Owner(s):
Allyn Pearlman
Founder(s):
Ben Pearlman
S Products Page: view
American Flyer accessories
Electronics: DCC, components
Locomotives: original American Flyer; Lionel, MTH dealer, smoke fluid
Miscellaneous: reference materials, tools
Rolling Stock: original American Flyer, Lionel
Scenery: various brands
Scratchbuilding: most common materials
Track Components: ballast
(last reviewed on 12/15/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer
Address:
65 Bradrock Dr
City:
Des Plaines
State:
Illinois
Web Site:
Phone:
The company was started in 1968 by one man. In 2023 their web site showed a small notice that the company's ownership was changed, and apparently they moved from California to Illinois. It turns out that they were bought by the same company that also bought Evergreen Styrene when its owner passed away. Both companies are now run out of the same building in Des Plaines.
(last reviewed on 11/12/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer
Address:
P.O. Box 133
City:
Washingtonville
State:
Ohio
Zip Code:
44490-0133
Web Site:
Secondary Site:
e-mail:
Phone:
Founder(s):
Gary Kohler
Decals: two-foot gauge
Miscellaneous: scale drawings
Rolling Stock: standard-gauge Maine Central box car kit; Sn3 snow plow kit; Sn3 kitchen car kit; Sn3 office car kit, Sn2 caboose, Sn2 flanger
Scenery: trees, ground foam
Scratchbuilding: scribed siding (4-1/2" ribs)
Structures: various laser-cut wooden structure kits related to two-foot Maine
This company is currently the main supporter of Sn2, but also produces some Sn3 items.
(last reviewed on 07/15/2024)
Business Type:
Shapeways Store
3D-printed products
Locomotives: C&S cast smokebox front
Rolling Stock: silhouette sheep for stock cars
Scenery: cattle guard/crossing guards, silhouette animals (for stock cars)
Scratchbuilding: window frames, roof brackets, freight doors
Structures: saw horse, water tank column
Since Shapeways declared bankruptcy, and since this company only sold through Shapeways, they have effectively closed-up shop.
(last reviewed on 09/07/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer
Address:
514 Angel's Way Lane
City:
Horse Shoe
State:
North Carolina
Zip Code:
28742
Web Site:
Phone:
Founder(s):
Stephen Miley
Miscellaneous: stair stringer assembly jig, joist hanger spacing jigs, Railroad System Commemorative Maps
Scenery: wheeled dolly, wooden barrels, drums, industrial air compressor, pot belly stove, wheel barrow, vintage gas pump, stone retaining wall, crates, wooden pallets, rough-cut lumber stacks, Yucca plants, fencing, iron railing, brick foundation blocks, stairs stringers
Scratchbuilding: wall and roof sheets, chimneys, eave support brackets, laser-cut windows and doors
Structures: laser-cut wooden kits; smoke stacks, exhaust fans and pipes, roof cupola, industrial roof-top blower and side exhaust systems; gantry kit
In 2018 they bought part of the Rusty Stumps product line.
(last reviewed on 09/08/2024)
Business Type:
Online Retailer
Address:
P.O. Box 261
City:
Bel Air
State:
Maryland
Postal Code:
21014
Web Site:
Scratchbuilding: plastic sheets in various sizes and of various types (see S for their scale size in S-scale), raised letters and numbers (for custom signs)
(last reviewed on 09/11/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer
City:
Salem
State:
Oregon
Web Site:
Phone:
Founder(s):
Richard Shepard
S Products Page: view
Rolling Stock: pickle car kit
Scratchbuilding: doors, screendoors, brick sheet, stairs
Structures: logging equipment structures/machinery, outhouses, laser-cut kits
Vehicles: horse-drawn farm wagon
The company started in 2004. An article with photos of the facilities appears in the July 2016 issue of the NASG's Dispatch.
(last reviewed on 09/17/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer & Retailer
Address:
660 Highway 92
City:
Delta
State:
Colorado
Zip Code:
81416
Web Site:
e-mail:
Phone:
Fax:
(724) 468-3879
Layout Scenery: scenic backgrounds (not S-specific)
Miscellaneous: tools
Scenery: grass, ground cover, trees, coal, rocks, fences, vegetation
Scratchbuilding: Plastruct
Track Components: ballast
The company was started in 1993.
(last reviewed on 11/07/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer
City:
Lake Dallas
State:
Texas
Web Site:
e-mail:
Phone:
Founder(s):
Brett Gallant
S Products Page: view
3D-printed products
Miscellaneous: weathering powders
Scenery: vegetation, oil cans, trash cans, gas cans, oil bottles, oil drums, barrels, crates, soda machine, soda crates, soda bottles, air compressors, screw jack, gas cylinders
Scratchbuilding: glass
Structures: cedar shingles
Vehicles: Fordson tractor kit
Started in 1995.
(last reviewed on 12/19/2024)
Decals: Sn3 engines and cars
Layout Scenery: Bragdon Enterprises Geodesic Scenery
Scratchbuilding: brass strips
Structures: detailing parts
Track Components: standard- and narrow-gauge brass roller gauges
The company can do custom laser-cutting, custom 3D-print work, as well as plastic injection molding. The company's kits are focused on the West Side Lumber Company.
(last reviewed on 11/24/2024)
3D-printed products
Electronics: LED lights in HO-scale fixtures that may be of use in S
Miscellaneous: DVDs (shown as a book on the computer) related to the steel industry
Rolling Stock: loads
Scenery: fire hydrant
Scratchbuilding: many detailing parts, H-column footers, pipe bent (hold/routing pipes through facilities), exterior vents, piping systems and components, roof trusses, corrugated fiberglass panels
Structures: parts for modeling a steel mill and other industrial complexes, most of which are available in S-scale
Trackside: telephone box
Note that the owner of the company has indicated that they are willing to 3D-print anything in their existing product line in S-scale; just ask.
(last reviewed on 12/17/2024)
Miscellaneous: bags of letters for billboards, roof-top signs, etc.
Scenery: intertrack fencing
Scratchbuilding: large window panes (usable in S)
Structures: industrial, multi-story structures
Track Components: between-track fencing
(last reviewed on 10/09/2024)
Business Type:
Manufacturer & Retailer
Address:
5601 West Florist Avenue
City:
Milwaukee
State:
Wisconsin
Zip Code:
53218
Web Site:
e-mail:
Phone:
Owner(s):
Stacey Walthers-Naffah
Founder(s):
Bill Walthers
S Products Page: view
Decals: various brands
Electronics: various systems
Layout Scenery: various brands
Locomotives: various brands
Miscellaneous: reference materials
Rolling Stock: various brands
Scenery: figures, animals, fences, detailing parts
Scratchbuilding: various brands
Structures: various brands
The company was founded in 1932. In 1958, Bill retired and his son Bruce took over. In 1984 Bruce's son Phil took over. Phil was the one who got Walthers into the manufacturing business. The company's web site was launched in 1994. Phil retired in 2018 and his oldest daughter, Stacey Walthers-Naffah, took over the reigns of the company.
(last reviewed on 07/15/2024)
Business Type:
Shapeways Store
Owner(s):
William Monagahn
3D-printed products
Electronics: speaker enclosure, mounting fixture for Hex Frog Juicer
Locomotives: old-time steam cab, domes, speaker enclosure
Rolling Stock: Civil War-era passenger, freight cars, caboose, Fox trucks, caboose steps
Scratchbuilding: ladder
Track Components: Ramapo switch stand, targets
Trackside: semaphores
Since Shapeways declared bankruptcy, and since this company only sold through Shapeways, they have effectively closed-up shop.