Resources - Scratchbuilding
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(303) 345-5031
The Full Listing
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 37 entries listed on this page.
Bare Metal Foil
(last reviewed on 06/11/2023)
Contact
Products
Decals: bare-metal foils for automobiles
Miscellaneous: tools; mold-making and casting materials; decal film
Scratchbuilding: metal foil
Vehicles: metal foil
Notes
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.
History
The concept of bare-metal foils was invented in 1970, which started this company.
Bob The Train Guy
(last reviewed on 07/06/2023)
Contact
Products
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
Brunel Hobbies
(last reviewed on 07/15/2023)
Contact
Products
Miscellaneous: display cases, tools, cradle to hold model while working on it
Rolling Stock: handrail bending jig
Scratchbuilding: corrugated metal shaping tool
Builders in Scale
(last reviewed on 07/17/2023)
Contact
Products
Miscellaneous: drawings, tools, weathering materials
Scenery: snow, sand, mud, seaweed, fences, rocks
Scratchbuilding: metal siding/roofing
Structures: shingles
C. C. Crow
(last reviewed on 07/17/2023)
Contact
Products
Scratchbuilding: hydrocal brick walls
Structures: D&RGW roundhouse walls
Clover House
(last reviewed on 08/30/2023)
Contact
Business Type:
Manufacturer & Retailer
Address:
P.O. Box 215
City:
Veradale
State:
Washington
Zip Code:
99037-0215
Web Site:
Phone:
(509) 999-6247
Owner(s):
Tom Dempsey
Products
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
History
The company was bought by Tom Dempsey in 2011.
Crazy Model Trains
(last reviewed on 09/17/2023)
Contact
Products
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
Custom Model Creations LLC
(last reviewed on 09/16/2023)
Products
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
History
Started in 2011.
Dakotah Toys
(last reviewed on 09/21/2023)
Contact
Business Type:
Manufacturer & Retailer
Address:
44718 SD HWY 34
City:
Madison
State:
South Dakota
Zip Code:
57042
Web Site:
Phone:
(605) 256-6676
Fax:
(605) 256-9093
Products
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
History
The company was started in 1995.
Evergreen Scale Models
(last reviewed on 11/10/2022)
Contact
Business Type:
Manufacturer
Address:
65 East Bradrock Drive
City:
Des Plaines
State:
Illinois
Zip Code:
60018
Web Site:
Products
Miscellaneous: The Chopper, various other tools
Scratchbuilding: styrene sheet goods, strips
Fast Tracks Hobbyworks, Inc
(last reviewed on 11/20/2022)
Contact
Products
S Products Page: view
Miscellaneous: drawings, trackworking 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
Notes
Carries just about everything you need to hand-lay track in S, Sn3, Sn2, and Sn42.
History
Started in 2003 to make handlaying of track more foolproof.
Hunterline
(last reviewed on 02/28/2023)
Contact
Products
Layout Scenery: tunnel liner, bridges, bridge piers kits
Miscellaneous: stains ("Weathering Mix" brand name)
Scenery: fences
Scratchbuilding: shakes (1800-1860)
Notes
The company attends many train shows in Canada and the U.S.
History
The company was started in 1994.
JR Junction Train & Hobby
(last reviewed on 02/27/2023)
Contact
Products
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
Notes
The store supports The Central New York S Gauge Association.
K & S Precision Metals
(last reviewed on 03/03/2023)
Contact
Products
Scratchbuilding: brass, aluminum, copper, tin coated, stainless steel, phosphorus bronze wire, music wire, foils
History
The company was started in 1946.
Kappler Mill & Lumber Co
(last reviewed on 03/04/2023)
Contact
Products
Scratchbuilding: wood sheet goods, strips
Track Components: wooden ties
History
After Frank's death, the company changed hands many times, sometimes leading to unavailability of product. The current owner bought the company in 1997 and has the inventory rebuilt, as well as sticking to Frank's original tight tolerances.
LaBelle Woodworking
Contact
Business Type:
Manufacturer
Address:
5101 Ridge Road
City:
Cheyenne
State:
Wyoming
Zip Code:
82009
Web Site:
Phone:
(307) 433-9909
Fax:
(307) 433-9949
Founder(s):
Rick Steele
Products
Decals: rolling stock
Scratchbuilding: chains
History
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.
Mainline Hobby Supply, Inc
(last reviewed on 03/06/2023)
Contact
Products
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
Midwest Products
(last reviewed on 03/07/2023)
Contact
History
Midwest Products is now a brand name owned by the parent company, Saunders Midwest.
Monster Modelworks
(last reviewed on 08/08/2023)
Contact
History
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.
Mt. Albert Scale Lumber Co
(last reviewed on 03/08/2023)
Contact
Products
Scratchbuilding: wood sheet goods, strips
History
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.
Narrow Gauge Modeling Co.
(last reviewed on 02/05/2023)
Contact
Products
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
Notes
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.
Northeastern Scale Lumber Company
(last reviewed on 03/08/2023)
Contact
Products
Scratchbuilding: wood sheet goods, strips
History
The company was started in 1946. We have received a report from one gentleman visiting the shop in 1946 where he found all models in the show room built in S-scale 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.
P-B-L
(last reviewed on 03/09/2023)
Contact
Products
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
Notes
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.
History
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).
Papa Ben's Train Place
(last reviewed on 12/07/2022)
Contact
Products
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
Plastruct
(last reviewed on 03/09/2023)
Contact
Business Type:
Manufacturer
Address:
65 Bradrock Dr
City:
Des Plaines
State:
Illinois
Web Site:
Phone:
(847) 813-5700
History
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.
Portland Locomotive Works
(last reviewed on 03/09/2023)
Contact
Products
Decals: Sn2-related
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
Notes
This company is currently the main supporter of Sn2, but also produces some Sn3 items.
Poverty Flats Model Company
(last reviewed on 03/09/2023)
Contact
Products
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
Rail Scale Models
(last reviewed on 03/11/2023)
Contact
Business Type:
Manufacturer
Address:
514 Angel's Way Lane
City:
Horse Shoe
State:
North Carolina
Zip Code:
28742
Web Site:
Phone:
(248) 421-6276
Founder(s):
Stephen Miley
Products
Miscellaneous: stair stringer assembly jig, joist hanger spacing jigs
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
History
In 2018 they bought part of the Rusty Stumps product line.
Railway Models
(last reviewed on 03/11/2023)
Contact
Products
Scratchbuilding: plastic sheets in various sizes and of various types (see S for their scale size in S-scale)
RSLaserKits
(last reviewed on 03/11/2023)
Contact
Products
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
History
The company started in 2004. An article with photos of the facilities appears in the July 2016 issue of the NASG's Dispatch.
Scenic Express
(last reviewed on 03/13/2023)
Contact
Products
Layout Scenery: scenic backgrounds (not S-specific)
Miscellaneous: tools
Scenery: grass, ground cover, trees, coal, rocks, fences, vegetation
Scratchbuilding: Plastruct
Track Components: ballast
History
The company was started in 1993.
Sierra West Scale Models
(last reviewed on 05/04/2023)
Contact
Products
S Products Page: view
3D-printed products
Miscellaneous: weathering powders
Scenery: detailing parts, vegetation
Scratchbuilding: glass
Structures: cedar shingles
Vehicles: Fordson tractor kit
History
Started in 1995.
Simpson Models
(last reviewed on 01/22/2023)
Contact
Products
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
Notes
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.
Steel Mill Modelers Supply
(last reviewed on 04/15/2023)
Contact
Products
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
Todd Architectural Models
(last reviewed on 04/02/2022)
Contact
Products
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
Walthers
(last reviewed on 03/16/2023)
Contact
Business Type:
Manufacturer & Retailer
Web Site:
Phone:
800-4-TRAINS
Owner(s):
Stacey Walthers-Naffah
Founder(s):
Bill Walthers
Products
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
History
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.
Willy Monaghan
(last reviewed on 03/16/2023)
Contact
Products
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