NASG Dispatch Articles: Model Railroad Manufacturers

1996 #2 April

8

Pete Mihelich

The author and Will Holt attended the Lionel product announcement meeting. Several A.F. products were discussed. Includes photos of the new products for 1996.

1997 #1 February

10

Pete Mihelich

The author attended the dealer preview show in Chicago to report on Lionel's plans for 1997. Includes photos of some of the new products shown there.

1997 #2 April

12

Jeff Madden

Don Heimburger is celebrating 35 years of continuous publication of the S Gaugian magazine. This article gives some background on Don.

2025 #1 January

18

Phil Scandura

Alan Loizeaux builds custom turnouts, crossings, and other track components, while still holding a full-time job as a conduction with the Norfolk Southern. Includes photos of some of his components.

1987 #1 Winter

5

A listing dated January 15, 1987 of all the known S-scale brass models that came with code 110 wheels.

1985 #1 Winter

2

Sam Powell

After mentioning several other major changes in the model railroading industry, the author opines about the need for the S-scale community to adopt the new NASG S-scale standard.

1990 #2 April

14

The (uncredited) author shares his memories of Charlie, provides some insight into the man, and the article includes several photos.

2022 #2 March

11

unaccredited

It seems that this only affected some of the S Scale America product line.

1983 #1 Winter

11

Walt Danylak

Issues related to NASG membership renewals and discount coupons that will be offered by the NASG.

1978 #2 August

2

Ed Loizeaux

The author introduces the "This is S" pamphlet.

1981 #6 November

6

Ed Loizeaux

A letter-to-the-editor explains the situation about getting ALCO Models to produce an S-scale brass NYC Niagara.

1988 #1 March

22

Dick Karnes

The author lists things he would like see manufacturers produce in S-scale.

2003 #3 June

10

Bill Fraley

Frank Titman has sold his company, Lehigh Valley Models, to Phil Kehr of K&P Brick & Building Company out of York, PA. Includes photos of some of the company's models.

1996 #1 February

18

Announcement of the new CEO at Lionel.

1979 #1 June

3

Sig Fleischmann

The author responds to commentary he has received about the Fundimensions cars.

2018 #5 September

7

various authors

This is an interview-style article conversing with Ron Bashista owner of the S-scale-only American Models company. Includes photos of their products, and some behind-the-scenes images. More photos are found on page 43 (online PDF file only).

2014 #5 October

7

Jeff Madden

The author updates his wish-list for various manufacturers to produce, primarily focusing on rolling stock.

1998 #4 August

5

Jeff Madden

Would other larger model railroading manufacturers consider adding S-scale products to their product line? If so, which ones?

1999 #2 April

5

Jeff Madden

The April Fools edition of the column has the author fantasizing about being an S-scale dictator telling the manufacturers which products they should produce.

1999 #4 August

6

Jeff Madden

The author ponders the need for more modern equipment to be available in S-scale.

2000 #6 December

5

Jeff Madden

Speculating on when the first S-scale plastic-bodied steam locomotive would be produced and what it might be.

2001 #2 April

5

Jeff Madden

Getting enough seed money to make an S-scale project a "go".

2004 #3 June

5

Jeff Madden

In general, S-scale manufacturers have been cognizant of each others' products, so as to avoid duplication-of-effort. However, this column points out a few exceptions. He continues by mentioning the product types that he thinks are best for brass production and those best for plastic models.

2007 #5 October

5

Jeff Madden

The author is making the point that manufacturers should list structure dimensions, rolling stock built dates, paint scheme eras, etc.

2007 #6 December

5

Jeff Madden

What first drew the author to model railroading was advertisements of products shown on a real layout. He wonders why more manufacturers don't do ads like that.

2008 #3 June

5

Jeff Madden

The author adds some of his items to a Christmas-in-July wish-list.

2009 #6 December

5

Jeff Madden

"If you sell S, you need to promote S!", is the editor's opinion, reflecting on how vendors and manufacturers might want to interact with their customer base at train shows.

2010 #1 February

5

Jeff Madden

The editor opines about the future of resin kits in S-scale and what might be produced next.

2011 #1 February

5

Jeff Madden

The editor discusses the various polls that are done within discussion groups to determine what modelers would like to see produced in S-scale.

1993 #2 April

15

Pete Mihelich

The author got to visit the Lionel factory and view the new S-scale products, photos of some of which are included in the article.

1987 #1 Winter

6

Dan Navarre

Representatives of Lionel attended the 1986 NASG Convention, which led to a factory tour at Lionel, all indicating that Lionel is serious about continuing American Flyer products.

1992 #2 April

21

Moe Berk

The author describes what happened at the January 21, 1992 event. Includes photos of the dignitaries at the event.

1992 #2 April

19

Moe Berk

A description what can be found in the visitors center and what to expect when you participate in the tours given. Photos of the layout are included (4 tracks of O and one of A.F.).

2024 #1 January

22

Bill Clark

With permission from Marilyn Heimburger, the author was able to reproduce the 1973 interview article as found in the S Gaugian magazine. Maury Romer was involved in both the American Flyer before A.C. Gilbert bought it, and the post-WWII era.

1995 #3 June

19

Will Holt

The previous survey done by the NASG's Manufacturers' Advisory Group was mostly focused on A.F and hi-rail, but more manufacturers are interested in the "scale" side of S-scale, so a new survey was created to include all aspects of S-scale modeling. The results of this survey are shown in this article.

2002 #1 February

12

Bill Fraley

Introduction of Fred and Dolores Rouse who bought S Scale Locomotive & Supply.

2002 #2 April

12

Wally Collins

Introduction to Earl Eshelman, who manufactured O- and S-scale turnouts and track.

2012 #3 June

8

Don Thompson

Following the official press release, Don explains why the delay in making the announcement. The article also covers a bit of company history.

1993 #5 October

16

Will Holt

This is a report of a small meeting with several representatives from different companies, and NASG representatives.

1998 #2 April

15

Pete Mihelich

A report of what happened during a meeting of several NASG officers and employees of Lionel, in an interview style.

1993 #3 June

7

Mike Palmiter

A list of the author's wishes that he would like manufacturers to produce in S-scale.

2014 #3 June

19

Jim Martin

The author shares an interview he did with Mt. Albert Scale Lumber owner Gerry Cornwell about his company, his manufacturing practices, and what it takes to produce tiny strips of wood. Includes lots of photos of the factory set up.

2015 #5 September

23

Jim Martin

The author reports on the River Raisin Berkshires announcement, Scalecoat paint's being bought out, and a visit with Fast Track's owner Tim Warris (includes several photos of his S-scale jig and his HO-scale layout).

2015 #6 November

14

Jim Martin

A couple of notes of Fast Track's kit for improving the tracking problems of American Model's 6-wheel passenger car trucks. The author interviews Steve Hunter, the designer behind the 3D-printed "Eastern Road Models" Shapeways web site.

2016 #1 January

19

Jim Martin

Notes about the dormant Ridgehill Scale Models company, the Niagara Central Hobbies store closing, and the S Scale Workshop's experiences at the Expo Rail Museum show of 2015. Includes photos of models by members of the club.

2020 #3 May

10

Jim Martin

Information about new products planned in Canada, and the latest status updates of layouts under construction in Canada.

2020 #4 July

28

Jim Martin

Information about products under development by Canadian manufacturers, and how the author built a roll-away paint booth.

2012 #2 April

5

Jeff Madden

The author reviews the 2012 Lionel catalog.

1991 #1 February

6

Don Thompson

A photo essay showing the American Models factory.

1988 #4 October

26

Ed Loizeaux

Continued discussion related to criticism toward S-scale manufacturers.

1989 #1 February

4

Ed Loizeaux

Responding to the claims that there are too many NYC and PRR engines being made, and not enough for other railroads.

1990 #2 April

4

Michael Ferraro

The passing of Charlie Sandersfeld, owner of Omnicon Scale Models.

1990 #6 December

4

Michael Ferraro

Help promote S-scale with existing manufacturers.

2020 #5 September

4

Will Holt

MTH's closing does not spell the end of S.

2021 #1 January

6

Will Holt

Lionel is celebrating the 75th anniversary of American Flyer. American Models is celebrating their 40th anniversary.

2021 #3 May

5

Will Holt

Discusses the fact that Scale Trains has bought the MTH's S-scale tooling (which itself was the former S-Helper Service tooling).

1996 #6 December

8

Demosthenes P. Gelopulos

The article describes the operating sessions Bob Miller would have on his layout for teenage boys in his town (the author being one of them). It also covers how the (patented) powered truck worked. Included are a timeline of Bob's life, and two pages of Miller's product catalog from 1952.

2022 #2 March

5

Will Holt

The author reviews the history of American Models and what Ron has produced. The company will continue.

2024 #1 January

13

Bill Clark

The author describes his process for doing maintenance and repair work on American Models locomotives.

2022 #1 January

24

Karin Bashista

The founder of American Models passed away, and his wife, Karin, announces that the company will continue.

2016 #4 July

4

Bill Pyper

The author introduces the owner of RSLaserKits, showing some of their S-scale kits, and photos of their facilities and owner. Page 34 has a collection of photos that show the parts that make up the company's pickle car.

1980 #2 April

2

Frank Titman

The author is exploring the idea of producing an S-scale catalog to hand to customers.

2019 #4 July

18

Jeff Madden

The author is encouraging us to help younger modelers look into steam engines, and what S manufacturers could do to encourage more S-scale steam availability.

1986 #1 Winter

2

Tony Perles

This editorial comments on how Charlie Sandersfeld of Omnicon Scale Models can't go out on a limb by himself having brass engines built without the support of S-scale modelers in the US.

1986 #4 Fall

4

Tom Nimelli

A discussion of the A.F., Lionel, and American Models wheelsets for the tinplate operator.

2017 #6 November

9

Jeff Madden

We need steam locomotives that fit in the 1880 through 1930 time period.

1995 #2 April

21

Will Holt

Covers information about the American Models 4-6-2, the GG-1, and various other projects underway. The visit with Lionel included meeting with Carl Crosier and Neil Young (about their new sound system). The visit covered the products that Lionel is introducing in 1995.

1994 #6 December

16

Jeff Madden

An interview with Ertl's Product Manager James Willey about their 1:64 product line.

1994 #3 June

23

Jeff Madden

The author visits with Lionel and interviews the company's Steve Saxton and Carl Crosier about the future of S-scale products at Lionel.

1994 #6 December

18

Jeff Madden

A condensed version of the Ertl hand-out capturing the company's history. Also includes a page of photos of the latest 1:64 Ertl items in 1994.

1979 #4 December

2

Sig Fleischmann

Information about the upcoming Lionel Fundimensions cars, which are aimed at collectors.

1991 #6 December

8

Bob Jackson

The Longmont, Colorado company produces their own O-scale freight car kits, and is home to S-scale's Pacific Rail Shops and HO-scale's Innovative Models, as well as being a contractor for other manufacturers. Includes many photos of the facilities.

1996 #5 October

34

Will Holt

2001 #1 February

8

Ed Kuser

This article covers the history of Frank Titman's Lehigh Valley Models, producer of wood/paper/metal kits. Includes photos of some of the models.

2014 #2 April

7

Larry Morton

Owner of Tomalco Track describes his transition into S-scale and into becoming an S-scale manufacturer. Owning the company, he has been able to complete his own 28'x28' S-scale layout in his basement.

2021 #1 January

16

Gary Brown

The author shows kitbashed models he has made that he thinks A.C. Gilbert might have produced, had they continued to be around.