Before I decided to switch from N-scale to S-scale, I wanted to make sure there was enough "stuff" available to be able to pursue my modeling interests. In the process I wound up collecting a lot of links to web sites that provide S-scale items. I was very pleasantly surprised by the quantity and quality of items available.
Note that I am only interested in scale modeling, so you will not find any explicit "American Flyer" (i.e., toy trains) links here. Links are in alphabetical order. Some links may appear under more than one category if their web site contains products belonging to different categories. I am indebted to John Degnan for starting me off with over 200 useful links. Next to the links, if I have some additional information about the manufacturer or one of their products on other pages of this web site, I have included a link to those pages for your enjoyment.
With local hobby shops disappearing, we are forced to buy over the Internet (especially in S-scale), but shipping charges can add a lot to the order. I feel most of the time I am being charged too much for shipping (I know, because I shipped a lot of items myself). I am therefore posting the latest shipping charges I have been charged when ordering directly from a particular company.
To avoid the problem of out-dated links on this page, these links are verified every Monday morning. Any dead links are promptly removed from the page (I may give the site a grace period of a couple of weeks if I get the impression the problem is temporary). I also try to stay up-to-date with any new web sites appearing. I use my company's product, FRSLinkCheck, to check the validity of the links. If you have your own web site, I highly recommend downloading a free copy. This page was last updated on March 10, 2010.
These are the categories of links in alphabetical order:
- Custom Builders
- DCC and Electronics
- Decals
- Miscellaneous Products
- Motive Power and Rolling Stock
- Organizations
- Reference Material
- Retail Stores
- Scenery
- Scratchbuilding Supplies
- Software
- Structures
- Tools
- Track
Organizations
Has basic information as well as lists of items available in S.
National Association of S Gaugers, Inc.
Maintains the standards of the scale. Great source for first-time S-scalers. I am a member to help promote it.
NMRA - National Model Railroad Association.
National organization for all things model railroading.
For those who want to push the scale to the highest accuracy.
Home of the annual Sn3 Symposium.
Yahoo Group: 64VintageVehicles
A discussion group about pre-1970's automobiles for S-scale.
For sale, trade, or wanting to buy S-scale items.
S Scale Helper Service's discussion group.
Scale modeling.
Topics related to narrow gauge modeling, specifically in S-scale.
Yahoo Group: sscalemdoelrailroading
A low-traffic S-scale model railroading discussion group.
S scale prototype model railroading discussion group.
S Scale Trains of Tomorrow: Modern Day S-scale Modeling discussion group.
Motive Power and Rolling Stock
Steam and diesel engines, freight and passenger cars.
Track-cleaning cars. I used one when I was in N-scale (see here).
Engine and car kits and details (see my H21a project). Shipping $5 regardless of order size.
Sn3 locomotive and rolling stock kits.
Track-cleaning cars.
Brass locomotives and freight cars.
Pieter Roos had FGEX reefer roofs designed and is now selling those.
Freight cars. They also use this address.
Climax locomotive (S & Sn3).
Sn3 freight and passenger cars, and consignment.
Powered trucks. U.S. dealer is Possum Valley Models.
Couplers.
Rolling Stock (see my N5c project). (owner: John Whitmore)
Rolling stock kits.
Engines, cars, and detailing parts. (owner Andy Malette)
S-scale motorized track cleaner car.
Replacement motors for engines.
Some coal loads for S-scale.
Describes all the S-scale compatible couplers.
Find produced models of passenger cars, freight cars, locomotives.
Wheels, parts.
Brass engines and cars.
Passenger car seats.
Engines, cars, and detailing parts.
Trolleys, motor trucks for PCC or Birney models.
Brass Pennsylvania Railroad freight cars.
Detailing parts.
Locomotive kits, parts, and speakers. Owner Jeff Smith. Shipping $10.50 (for engine kits)
Brass locomotives and cars (parts)
Replacement motors, flywheels, shafts, flexible tubing, connectors, and wood stains.
S Helper Service (a.k.a. The Showcase Line)
Locomotives and cars (see my NW2). (owner: Don Thompson) Shipping: $9-$12
Locomotive parts and kits (owner: Fred Rouse)
Couplers (see my article). Shipping: $6
Smoky Mountain Model Works, Inc.
Freight car kits.
Can motor conversions, track cleaners.
Standard Railway Castings Company
Freight cars, detail kits. (this is a VERY part-time business; he's a farmer, as the web page shows).
This Australian company makes self-powered trucks compatible with S-scale.
Has some S-scale brass in their inventory.
P-B-L brass engines.
Sn3 freight cars and decals.
Freight car detailing parts.
Narrow gauge cars.
Narrow gauge freight car kits.
Freight car kits.
Decals
Decals of rivets of various sizes.
S-scale decals.
Large collection of freight car decals.
Decals (available in S-scale if you order more than one set).
Decals for motive power and freight cars.
Eastern railroad decals.
Water slide transfer decals.
S-scale decals.
Decals for rolling stock.
Listing of decals available for modeling the PRR (various scales, not all S).
Standard and custom decals (all types, all scales, generic data sets). Shipping: $1.50
Various Sn3 decal sets.
Dry transfers for various freight cars. Easy to work with. Shipping: $2
Track
Turntables, indexing, and detail parts.
Flex and sectional track, turnouts, crossings, and track laying parts.
Flex and sectional track, turnouts, crossings, and track laying parts.
Ballast. I used their products exclusively when in N-scale.
Ties.
Turntables.
Ground throws (use HO or O scale for S).
Printed circuit board ties. I use their N-scale throwbar PC ties for S-scale throwbars.
HO-scale turntables that could be converted to S, or have one custom built.
Assembled and ballasted track.
Turnout kits, jigs, and supplies. I used an N-scale jig for N-scale turnouts, but for S I don't need them.
GarGraves Trackage Corporation
Flexible track and turnouts.
Homabed (California Roadbed Co.)
Homasote cut into convenient strips.
Manufactures switch machine levers that simulate the real ones.
Ties. I exclusively used them for my N-scale ties, but for S-scale I cut my own.
Tracklaying templates.
Although their kit is for O-scale turntables, they sell drives separately.
Turnout controller, and throttle & cup holders.
Turntable indexing system (also has a Sn3 layout).
Signals, switch stands.
Tunnel portals, bridge piers, culvert, and walls.
Although HO and N-scale oriented, there may be things there for use for S-scale, along with wonderful ideas.
Custom turnouts, switch machines, and switch stands. I bought some N-scale turnouts, with limited success.
Smoky Mountain Model Works, Inc.
Tie jigs.
Sectional track with molded-in roadbed.
South Bend Signal Company, LLC
Various signals.
Track and accessories. I am a big fan of the track accessories! Highly recommended! Shipping: $1.50 - $3
Track accessories. I used the Hayes wheelstops in both N- and S-scale.
Custom track, mostly HI-rail, though. Web site also has templates.
Track cleaner car.
C&O, B&O, UP cantilevered signal bridges.
Owns BK Enterprises custom track assembled, kits, and parts.
DCC and Electronics
Carries all sorts of DCC equipment.
Surplus electronic and electrical components.
Lots of electronic circuit kits for model railroaders.
Camera for mounting on trains.
Many electronic circuits.
Unique electronic circuits to enhance the DCC experience.
Manufacturer of EasyDCC.
Sound, control, and automatic equipment. S-scale turntable indexer.
Carries all sorts of DCC equipment.
Custom installations, and product sales.
An excellent source for all electronic components. I recommend ordering their print catalog.
DCC decoders and systems.
DCC decoders and systems.
Surplus electronic and electrical components.
Simulate night sky.
Gadget Tom's Hobby Discount DCC
DCC decoders and systems.
Electronic circuits, kits, and parts.
Innovative Train Technology Co.
Sound effects, lighting, and detection circuits.
Another source for all electronic components.
Decoder programming software. The software is free, but hardware is required.
DCC installations and parts. Free shipping over $75! Superior customer service!
Electronic circuits.
Electronic parts surplus.
Replacement motors for engines and animation.
Electronic parts for MRR hobbyists.
Extremely small LEDs, SMD parts, flexible wiring, electronic circuits, tubing, detail parts, and tools.
Crossing gates and semaphore controllers.
DCC Pocket Tester, DCC Companion, Automated Train Controller.
The nation-wide electronic parts retailer.
Light modules for engines and cars, LEDs.
Circuits for connecting Digitrax' Loconet to your computer.
Signals (S-scale ones available upon request).
DCC decoders that also provide sound.
Southern Digital Railroad Hobbies
General DCC retailer.
DCC circuits for controlling turnouts (kits and fully assembled).
Manufacturer of various stationary decoders, and other accessories.
Circuits for controlling signals.
Retailer who carries all the latest DCC equipment, and has lots of good how-to articles, too.
Structures
Bridge kits
Laser kits and some detailing parts.
Craftsman-style wooden structures, details & shingles. Shipping $5 regardless of order size.
Craftsman-style wooden structures and detailing parts.
Laser kits and some details.
Jigs for bridge construction, kits, and NBWs.
Wood kit structures and bridges.
Signs and decals.
Laser kits.
S gauge bridge kits.
Hydrocal castings. Includes articles about castings.
Cardstock kits of various structures.
Produces lasercut structure kits in various scales, including S.
Wood structure kits and real wood shingles (including round-roof ones).
Has one S-scale kit.
Cast building fronts and kits.
Detail parts and tools. No S-scale kits anymore.
Marine-related kits.
Laser automobile, structure, and detail kits, and roof shingles.
Structure kits.
Hydrocal structure kits.
Laser kits, and sound electronics.
Steel bridges.
Wood bridge, tunnel portal, and retaining wall kits.
Tall laser kits buildings.
Exterior structure light poles (web site lists contact info).
Laser kits for structure add-on details.
Wood structures and detail kits.
Wood structures, both kit and built.
Don will do any of his kits in S; all you have to do is ask.
Electroluminescence lighting kits.
Various structure kits.
Background kits.
Track side structures.
Mountaineer Precision Products (owner: Andy Lester)
Various laser cut structure kits. "Buyer be ware"
Small structure kits, accessories, and detailing parts.
New Zealand prototype structures.
Small structure kits.
Structure kits and detailing parts.
Laser cut structure kits, mostly western.
Laser cut structure kits and detailing parts.
Paper kits (for S-scale print "OO-scale" version to 118% over normal size).
Glazing for S-scale Grandt Line windows and doors.
Structure detailing parts.
Kits and decals.
Classic Miniatures structure kits.
Craftman structure kits and detail parts.
Twin Whistle Sign & Kit Company
Plastic structure kits.
Small craftsman-style wooden structures, and roof shingles.
Pewter detailing parts.
Structure kits.
Scratchbuilding Supplies
Bare metal foil, mold-making materials, and decals.
Rock molds, trees, and weathering system.
Chain, siding, shingles, roofing, window coverings, brass parts, etc.
Detailing parts, dry transfers, and tools.
Styrene parts, strips, and sheets.
Fine thread for telephone/telegraph poles.
Architectural and super-detailing parts.
Bulk lumber.
Metal parts, shapes, and sheet.
Various scale and bulk woods, carbon fiber, cork roadbed, kits, and tools.
Styrene pattern sheets (usable in S), street lights, roof details.
Scale lumber.
Various brick, concrete block, corrugated, etc. sheet material.
Scale wall and abutment castings.
Northeastern Scale Lumber Company
Scale lumber.
Real cedar shingles; owns NWSL now.
Roofing, walls, and foundation papers.
Plastic detailing parts and sheet material.
Although an HO-scale manufacturer, some of the larger detail parts are usable in S-scale.
Scale glass, scale wood, stumps, fences, power lines, turf, cedar shingles.
Chain (52 & 72 links per inch).
Chain (50 links per inch and larger).
Resin-cast structure parts.
Scenery
Automobiles.
Very accurate scale trees.
Custom animated accessories.
Farm equipment, animals, and other items.
Automobiles (site is somewhat dysfunctional).
Rocks, gravel, and sand.
People (bottom of web site).
Automobiles.
Ships and boats.
Farm equipment and detailing parts.
Canyon Creek Scenics (owner: Pete Vassler)
Trees (including custom-made ones), logs, stumps, and forest ground cover.
Fire and rescue automobiles.
Automobiles.
Modern military vehicles.
Rubber rocks that are ready to be installed and painted.
Boats and barges.
Manufactures S-scale trucks.
Automobiles.
Automobiles.
Vehicles.
Vehicles.
Small, laser-cut letters and numbers, great for making custom signs.
Sounds to incorporate into scenery and structures.
First in Scaled Miniature Trees
Real sage bush tree armatures.
Figures.
Trees, rock models, lumber loads (not S-scale specific).
Automobiles.
Trucks.
S-scale farm equipment, trucks, parts, kits.
Manufacturer of very nice S-scale automobiles.
Sells automobiles on eBay only.
McKenzie Brothers Timber Company
Trees and tree-making jig.
Automobiles, farm equipment.
Highly-detailed, scale trees.
Automobiles.
Various scale trees, including S-scale ones.
Roofwalks, signals, catenary, and overhead wires.
Some 1:64 scale diecast airplanes.
Aspen and Evergreen trees.
Decals for S-scale trucks.
Model stone work.
Details and figures.
Signals, crossing lights.
Automobiles and figures.
Trucks.
Scale trees and tree kits.
Photo backdrops.
Automobiles from famous movies.
Automobiles, figures, and accessories.
People.
Neon signs, scenery materials, tunnel portals, figures, videos.
Backdrop photos.
Smoky Mountain Model Works, Inc.
Detailing parts.
Trees and rock castings.
Formerly manufactured signals and other details.
HO-scale boats, but usable in S (George Selios uses N-scale boats in his HO-scale layout).
Figures, animals.
Lots of S-scale vehicles.
Vehicles.
S-scale 18-wheelers and detailing parts.
Tunnel portal.
Vehicles.
Engineer and fireman figures.
Scenery materials, roadbed foam, and trees.
Vehicles.
Detailing parts and figures.
Signals.
Tools
Natural metal finishes for airbrush applications.
Mold making and casting products.
Bob Smith Industries Incorporated
Hobby adhesives.
Paint stripper that is plastic safe. buyer beware!
Tools, decals, and locomotive superstructure parts.
Paint, solvents.
Inexpensive tools.
Superglues.
Miniature screws, fasteners, polishing discs, and tools.
Rail painter, ballast, paint, decal remover, and weathering dyes.
Electrically insulating tape (great for decoder installations).
McKenzie Brothers Timber Company
Tree-making jig.
Lots of modeling tools. Shipping: $8.95 (even for small packages!)
Carries the Proxxon line of power tools.
Tools.
Resistance soldering equipment.
Glues.
Various tools.
Paints and glues.
Testtraxx - run engines inplace.
Rail cutters.
Software
Simple CAD program for designing layouts.
Organize your railroading video tapes, DVDs, and magazines.
Retail Stores
Automobiles, scenery items, structures.
Carries a lot of S-scale items.
General retailer that carries quite a bit of S. Shipping: $8.95
Couplers, and some kits.
Engines, freight cars, track, and couplers.
Carries S-scale figures, structures, detail parts, and DCC.
Carries many S-scale items. Owns "S Scale America", "Pacific Rail Shops". Shipping: $9.99.
Has generic items (scenery, tools, books, etc) at very aggressive prices.
Carries lots of S-scale items. Shipping: $8.95
Carries most everything available in S. Shipping: $8
Howard' S Trains - PO Box 430 - Fort Bragg, CA 95437 - (707) 961 0186
Carries most everything available in S, including older releases, and DCC. No web site. Owner: Howard Sheffield.
Carries structures and S Helper Service rolling stock.
Lists quite a bit of S.
Seems to have good DCC deals.
Not much web site content, but they carry S-scale products.
Freight cars and engines.
This store has some S-scale items.
Carries some S-scale items, including locomotives, cars.
Lots of S-scale.
Has quite a bit of S-Helper Service items.
Automobiles (New Zealand-based).
Carries Sn3 engines and rolling stock.
S and Sn3 products, including their own product line. Shipping $4.80.
Online retailer, specializing in S-scale.
Has a lot of S-scale equipment.
Carries most everything available in S.
Carries some S brass and structures (click on "Other Scales").
Carries a lot of S.
Specializes in narrow gauge.
Seems to have various S-scale items in stock. Shipping: $8
S-scale, in-stock items at Walthers. Shipping: $8.95
Custom Builders
Locomotive builder, painter, DCC installations.
Custom layout design and construction.
Custom layout design and construction, custom painting, and detailing parts.
Locomotive builder, DCC installations.
Reference Material
Magazine published three times per year all about everything S-scale. (owner: Bob Nalbone)
Classic railroad videos.
Hour-long videos and DVDs of famous layouts.
Various books on prototype railroads all over the U.S. ("Images by Rail" series).
Various model and prototype DVDs and CDs.
Weathering materials, tools, DVDs, kits, etc.
Railroad books and videos. Great customer service.
Videos of Australian model railroads.
Prototype and modeling videos and DVDs.
Prototype videos and DVDs.
Books, magazines.
Prototype videos and DVDs.
Prototype and model videos and DVDs, back issues of magazines.
Installing DCC & Sound in a S Helper Service SW-1
A how-to article.
Installing SHS 1295 or Kadee 802 Couplers
A how-to article.
Free, online magazine.
Magazine.
Narrow Gauge & Shortline Gazette
Narrow gauge model railroading magazine covering all scales.
Tall Timber Short Lines magazine.
Instructional scenery how-to videos
Prototype videos and DVDs.
Books, magazines, DVDs.
Magazine.
Magazine articles related to brass engines.
S Scale Articles in Mainstream Magazines
A listing of magazine articles covering S-scale.
Magazine related to model trucks and farm equipment.
Describes the various couplers available in S-scale.
Miscellaneous Products
Create your own license plate image from any U.S. state, various time periods.
Miscellaneous mechanical parts.
Going out of business, but they still have some inventory left.
A good page describing Liquitex Acrylic Mediums.
Industrial supplies, e.g. adhesives, abrasives, lubricants, paints, electronics, tools, and safety.
Small metal parts, metal weights, etc.
Motors, bearings, rare-earth magnets
Local art supplies store I visit for paints, brushes, envirotex, Sculptamold, etc.