N Scale Manufacturers We Didn't Know Existed

[Ed Kapuscinski]

One of my favorite sources of passenger car parts is not so much as unknown, but people have either forgotten, or were unaware that in addition to being a major hobby shop, Des Plaines Hobbies has for decades marketed their own line of kits and detail parts (you will find their products listed on their site as DPN-#### ).  My own purchases over the past year or so have included several of their passenger kits, along with full width diaphragms, passenger car skirts, and KV  Models heavyweight side kits.  Plus lots of odds and ends and out of production items that you only find in a big brick and mortar shop.

Detail parts http://www.desplaineshobbies.com/store/category/21/111/N-Scale-Detail-Parts/page3.html

Passenger car kits http://www.desplaineshobbies.com/store/category/21/105/N-Passenger-Car/page3.html

You may need to go back and forth a page depending on their inventory at the time you happen to read this.  Also note- it is worthwhile to add your email to their mailing list.  Several times a year they have a weekend "flash" sale that offers most of their inventory at a discount.

I love Des Plaines. It's a must stop whenever I'm in Chicago for work.

That said, I REALLY wish they'd modernize their website and start adding photos of stuff!

[thomasjmdavis]

It would also make me happier if they had photos online.  But given the 10s of thousands of products they carry (for example, over 1300 N Scale freight cars) I can see where trying to keep up with photos for everything would be a full time job.  It would help a lot if they could get photos of their own "in house" products on line. 

In any case, from my point of view, they did find the most important feature of their web software - the button that activates the 25% off holiday sale.

[sd45elect2000]

http://www.proto87.com/

I use the rail for street track. I need a way to shrink the flanges on the Tomix power drives , the rail is VERY fine.

[chuck geiger]

I just bought some signs form this guy.  Really good stuff:

https://tennesseevalleycustoms.com/product-category/n-scale/

This is cool, much like Small Scale Innovations in HO.

[Cajonpassfan]

What a great thread! Thanks for the idea, @Ed Kapuscinski.
Perhaps when it winds down, there can be a combined listing by type?
Just a thought.
Otto K.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

What a great thread! Thanks for the idea, @Ed Kapuscinski.
Perhaps when it winds down, there can be a combined listing by type?
Just a thought.
Otto K.

Thanks!

I'll throw out a few more that I just thought of:
http://www.depotsbyjohn.com/ - Depots and detail parts. Beware, you gotta mail a check.
https://www.miniaturesbyeric.com/ - Lots of great detail parts
http://www.custom-nscale.com/ - my source for awesome N scale Sinclair radio antennas

[coosvalley]

http://www.custom-nscale.com/ - my source for awesome N scale Sinclair radio antennas

I cant speak about those, but Trainworx made/makes some incredibly nice etched brass Sinclair antennas.

[ednadolski]

https://www.miniaturesbyeric.com/ - Lots of great detail parts

Some of the cast parts are rather crude tho.

http://www.custom-nscale.com/ - my source for awesome N scale Sinclair radio antennas

+10, these Sinclairs are fantastic.

Ed

[johnb]

https://www.republiclocomotiveworks.com/ has a lot of odd cars that can be used in either narrow gauge or standard gauge,  plus a  lot of cool buildings.

[Iain]

I love Des Plaines. It's a must stop whenever I'm in Chicago for work.

That said, I REALLY wish they'd modernize their website and start adding photos of stuff!

The problem is, with detail parts, I may not know exactly what it is I'm looking for, and photos help.

[wpsnts]

Rasputen Vehicles
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=40518.0;attach=33896
Outstanding work. I have purchased several.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Rasputen Vehicles
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=40518.0;attach=33896
Outstanding work. I have purchased several.

Amen! I actually just did one yesterday.

[Spades]

https://www.shapeways.com/shops/wuttervehicles

Makes some really needed detail parts. Open to any request.

[altohorn25]

Dirk in the Netherlands Santa Fe stuff:

https://www.atsfnscalemodels.com/

[propmeup1]

I am one of those people you won’t find an add for. I don’t advertise for the fact that I don’t make my product as a full time job but do it as a hobby. I’m a machinist for Timken/ Philly Gear during the day but my free time I build ship models for privet collections or museums. A side line job to that is I make brass propellers for modelers all over the world. I never advertise, it spreads word of mouth.  I’m very busy most of the time so I figured if I advertise I would become overwhelmed by it which would make it a job full time job.