Rail Yard Models Inc.

ETCHED METAL UPDATE

I have received a batch of etched metal parts. G47 Gondola metal appears to be gone.  I'm asking for a final check on that before removing the listing from the catalog page. All of the other parts listed are in stock at the time of this update. (2 May 2012)

When a part is completely out of stock, the shopping cart listing will be removed.

A NEW PRODUCT?!?

Not really, just offering misprinted decals because they actually might be valuable to modelers.

On my last decal order, I accidentially specified white ink for the Lehigh Valley main lettering set. What I have will obviously not work for the Lehigh Valley X58 box cars that are white... However, Lehigh Valley did have the green "almost X58" rib side box cars that these would work to letter. The data might not be 100% correct, but the flags, "LEHIGH VALLEY", and "INSULATED" lettering are. If you're painting a stand-in car for the green LV rib sides, these will get you part of the way there.

So...on the Decal page there is a new offering: 109.2W   Please don't confuse these with the real X58 decals.

After a great deal of consideration I have decided that it is time for Rail Yard Models to cease operation. I know that this announcement will come as a disappointment to my loyal customers and fans. Over the past few years, however, I have found that my heart has not been in the process as much as it once was. The major issue is one of burnout from performing all of the actual manufacturing of a manufacturing business. Due to the nature of what I'm doing, if my heart isn't in the process, then quality will suffer, and I will not allow that to be the legacy of Rail Yard Models. Consideration was also given to contracting out the casting work, but again quality control issues and economics made this option unacceptable. Many factors have come together to make this the right time to close up the shop.

I have had a great deal of satisfaction designing, manufacturing and selling my kits to some of the best modelers in the railroad hobby.  Without you, none of this would have been possible.  It's been a great ride and I thank you all!

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Over ten years of running Rail Yard Models, I had the pleasure to work with an amazing assortment of suppliers. I would like to take a bit of space here to publicly recognize them for their contributions in making Rail Yard Models a success:

Etched Metal: Keith Hapes/Plano Model Products
Decals: Ron Roberts/Rail Graphics Decals & Microscale Decals
Wheels: Reboxx & InterMountain Railway
Trucks: Athearn, Accurail, Bowser & Eastern Car Works
Weights: Adair Shops
Details: Tichy, Kadee, MV Products, A-Line & InterMountain Railway
Wire: Detail Associates
Plastic: Evergreen & Plastruct

RTV Rubber: Jim Dailey/Sunbelt Materials
Urethane: Reynolds Advanced Materials

A special thanks go out to the dozens of people in the modeling community that provided technical data, plans, photos and slides. There are far too many to list here, but if you read through the history documents contained in your kits, you will see their names!

Last, but not least, thanks to my extremely understanding wife and kids who put up with and even marginally supported me during this period of mild lunacy.

THANK YOU!