June 2026 Update E8/9 & Harrimans En Route, America 250 Annoucements, In Stock Models
- thirdandtownsend
- 4 days ago
- 10 min read
As I sit down to write this month's newsletter, it's hard to believe how much has happened in just the past few weeks.
What started as another busy spring quickly turned into one of the most exciting periods in our company's history. Between announcing our partnership with the Virginia Museum of Transportation, unveiling the America 250th commemorative Norfolk & Western 611 project, finalizing production on several long-awaited passenger car programs, and preparing multiple locomotive projects for delivery, the momentum across Third & Townsend Models has never been stronger. The America 250th 611 project alone has generated attention well beyond the model railroad community, bringing together preservation, railroading history, and patriotism in a way few of us ever imagined possible. Seeing a full-sized steam locomotive carry a concept that began as a model train project is something I'll never forget.
At the same time, our factories continue making great progress. The New York Central 20th Century Limited and Southern Pacific Lark are entering the final stages of production with samples shipping to me on 6/15, E8/9's and 80' HO Scale Harrimans are en route to California, and several new projects announced in the previous two catalogs continue advancing through design and tooling. Behind the scenes, we're also continuing to invest in better detailing, improved interiors, upgraded underbody components, and the kind of prototype accuracy that we believe should define every future release.
Most importantly, none of this happens without your support. Whether you've been with Sunset Models for decades, recently discovered Third & Townsend Models, or are following one of our projects for the first time, thank you for being part of this journey. We have a lot to cover this month, so let's get right into it.
A Once-in-a-Generation Partnership: Norfolk & Western 611 and America's 250th
We are incredibly proud to officially announce a new partnership between Third & Townsend Models and the Virginia Museum of Transportation centered around one of the most recognizable steam locomotives in the world, Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611.
In celebration of America's 250th Anniversary, we are proud to officially announce the Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 in her stunning America 250 commemorative livery as the first release in our upcoming N&W J Class program.
Over the past several months, we have worked closely with the Virginia Museum of Transportation and the 611 crew on a project unlike anything previously attempted in the world of both model and actual railroading. What began as discussions surrounding a special commemorative model evolved into an opportunity to preserve a unique moment in railroad history. Today, we're excited to bring that opportunity to collectors.
As many of you have now seen, Norfolk & Western 611 has emerged in a striking patriotic livery honoring our nation's upcoming Semiquincentennial. The response from railfans, historians, and the general public has been extraordinary, with the locomotive quickly becoming one of the most talked-about preservation projects in the country. We are honored to announce that Sunset Models 3rd Rail holds the exclusive rights to produce the America 250 version of 611 in O Scale.
This project represents everything that makes railroad preservation and model railroading special. It combines living history, world-class steam preservation, and a once-in-a-generation national celebration into a model that captures a specific moment in time. Long after the festivities have concluded and the locomotive moves into its next chapter, collectors will be able to remember and display the locomotive that helped celebrate America's 250th Birthday.
Reservations for the America 250 Norfolk & Western 611 are now officially open.
While 611 in her America 250 livery serves as the centerpiece of this pre-catalog announcement, it is only the beginning. As many have already guessed, additional Norfolk & Western J Class variations will be included in the upcoming catalog, giving collectors the opportunity to represent several eras of one of the most iconic steam locomotive classes ever built.
To the Virginia Museum of Transportation, the 611 crew, our dealers, and our customers, thank you for helping make this project possible. Opportunities like this are incredibly rare, and we believe they deserve to be done with the level of detail, accuracy, and respect that the prototype deserves.
America's locomotive is helping celebrate America's birthday, and we couldn't be more excited to bring that story to O Scale.
New Pre-Catalog Announcement: America 250 Greenbrier & TTX Patriotic Boxcars
As America prepares to celebrate its 250th Anniversary, one of the most unique freight car projects in recent memory has begun rolling across the North American rail network.
Earlier this spring, Greenbrier and TTX unveiled five specially painted 60' Plate F boxcars featuring patriotic American flag-themed graphics to commemorate America's Semiquincentennial. The cars were introduced during a ceremony in Cleburne, Texas, honoring the role freight railroads have played in building and sustaining the American economy for nearly two centuries.
We're excited to announce that all five commemorative America 250 Greenbrier/TTX boxcars will be offered in O Scale as part of our upcoming product lineup. These striking cars perfectly capture a unique moment in contemporary railroad history and make an excellent companion to many of our current and upcoming locomotive projects. Each car will feature road number-specific decoration and the prototype details that collectors have come to expect from our freight car offerings.
These five patriotic cars are just the beginning. The upcoming catalog will feature additional America 250-themed freight car schemes and commemorative equipment currently under development. As railroads across North America continue unveiling special equipment to celebrate our nation's 250th Anniversary, we look forward to bringing many of these historic and eye-catching prototypes to O Scale collectors.
O Scale EMD E8/9 & HO 80' Harrimans in transit
We're pleased to report that both the O Scale E8/E9 locomotives and the HO Scale 80' Harriman passenger cars have departed the factory and are currently in transit to the United States. Barring any unforeseen shipping, customs, or port delays, we expect both projects to begin arriving over the next 3–5 weeks. These have been two highly anticipated releases, and we're excited to finally be entering the home stretch.
As a reminder, any outstanding balances should be paid as soon as possible to ensure there is no delay in processing and shipping your order once inventory arrives. Orders with completed payment will be prioritized for immediate fulfillment upon arrival. If you have questions regarding your balance or would like to make a payment, please contact us before the models reach our warehouse. We appreciate your support and look forward to getting these long-awaited models into your hands soon.
Once all customer reservations have been fulfilled, we will begin working through our standby lists in the order requests were received. We know many customers have been patiently waiting for an opportunity to acquire these models, and we look forward to contacting standby customers as inventory becomes available following the completion of reserved orders.
We appreciate your support and look forward to getting these long-awaited models into your hands soon.
Production Update: EMD F7s, N&W "Mollies," Alleghenies, and O Scale 80' Heavyweights
Production activity remains strong across several of our locomotive programs, and we're excited to share that all three projects continue to make steady progress.
The O Scale EMD F7 program is currently in active production, with injection molding underway as this newsletter goes to press. This marks a major milestone for what has become our largest F-unit offering to date, featuring a wide variety of road names, paint schemes, and tooling variations.
For our Norfolk & Western M Class "Mollies," frame machining has now been completed and production continues moving forward through the manufacturing process. Likewise, the C&O and Virginian Allegheny/Blue Ridge project has reached the same milestone, with locomotive frames fully milled and additional components progressing through production.
While these projects still have several manufacturing stages ahead, it is always exciting to see tangible progress being made on the major castings and chassis components that form the foundation of these locomotives. We will continue sharing factory updates and production photos as they become available. Thank you to everyone who has reserved one of these models and helped make these projects possible.
Our O Scale Heavyweight Passenger Car project continues to advance, with tooling currently being test-shot as the factory prepares for production. These samples will allow us to verify fit, finish, and overall assembly before moving into full manufacturing. Customers interested in adding these cars to their roster should note that reservations will be closing soon. With production preparations now underway, this is one of the final opportunities to secure your preferred road names and car types before the project enters full production.
Tooling & Data Development Update
While several projects are now in production, our engineering and tooling teams continue making significant progress on future releases.
We're pleased to report that tooling for the O Scale EMD GP30 has now been completed. The project is currently moving into the sample phase, with first test shots expected in the coming weeks. The GP30 represents another major addition to our growing diesel lineup, and we're looking forward to sharing the first molded samples as soon as they become available.
Development of the O Scale NextGen Acela trainset continues at a steady pace and is currently approximately 60% complete. This project remains one of the most ambitious passenger train programs we've undertaken, and substantial progress has been made on both the power cars and passenger equipment.
Our Union Pacific Heritage Fleet passenger cars have now completed the design phase. Thanks to a few expert eyes that caught a few oversights in design, we can now confidently say that these cars are ready for production.
This project features an all-new approach to detailing, including individually applied underbody components throughout the train. Combined with newly developed interiors and enhanced prototype-specific features, these cars represent the next generation of passenger equipment from Golden Gate Depot.
We're also excited to announce that design work has officially begun on our HOn3 Denver & Rio Grande Western passenger car project. As the first mass-produced plastic HOn3 passenger cars of their kind, these models represent an important milestone for the narrow gauge community. Initial engineering work is now underway, and we'll share additional progress updates as development continues.
As always, we appreciate the enthusiasm and feedback from our customers. The number of new projects currently moving through design, tooling, and production is a direct result of your continued support, and we look forward to sharing more progress in the months ahead.
In Stock & Warehouse Finds
Over the past several months, we've been digging through inventory, consolidating warehouse stock, and uncovering a surprising number of models that many of us thought had long since sold out. As a result, we've recently added a substantial number of in-stock items to our website, including everything from passenger cars and freight cars to locomotives and limited-production specialty models.
Among these discoveries are several rare pieces from past Sunset Models, 3rd Rail, and Golden Gate Depot releases that have not been available for purchase in years. In many cases, quantities are extremely limited, with only one or two examples available. Once these models are gone, we do not expect to see additional inventory become available.
To make room for incoming production and new projects, we've also marked down a number of select items throughout the website. Whether you're looking to complete a consist, add a hard-to-find locomotive to your collection, or simply take advantage of some special pricing, now is an excellent time to browse our available inventory.
We encourage customers to check the website regularly, as additional warehouse finds continue to be discovered and added. Some of these models sell within hours of being listed, and many will not be offered again once sold out.
If you've been waiting for the right opportunity to add something special to your collection, now may be the time. You never know what might turn up in the warehouse next.
New Apparel Has Arrived
We're excited to announce the arrival of the first products in our new apparel line!
Leading the launch is our all-new hat featuring the redesigned 3rd Rail logo created specifically for America's 250th Anniversary. Combining a classic Richardson fit with premium embroidery and a fresh patriotic look, these hats are the perfect way to show your support for both the hobby and the the 250th Anniversary of this great nation.
Unlike many promotional items, these hats are not being produced in massive quantities. We will be manufacturing them in small batches of just 12 at a time, ensuring quality while allowing us to introduce new designs and apparel options throughout the year. As a result, availability may vary, and certain styles may sell out between production runs.
This launch marks the beginning of a broader apparel initiative that will include additional hat designs, railroad-themed merchandise, special event apparel, and limited-edition offerings tied to some of our most exciting projects. Whether you're attending a train show, chasing trains trackside, or simply enjoying an operating session with friends, we want to offer apparel that represents the same passion for railroading found in our models.
The first hats are available now and can be ordered directly through our website. We appreciate everyone who has already supported the program and look forward to expanding the lineup in the months ahead.
Looking Ahead
As we move into the second half of 2026, we continue to be amazed by the support, enthusiasm, and trust our customers place in us. From long-awaited deliveries arriving over the coming weeks, to major locomotive projects moving through production, to exciting new announcements surrounding America's 250th Anniversary, there has never been a more exciting time to be part of the Third & Townsend Models, Sunset Models 3rd Rail, and Golden Gate Depot family.
The months ahead will bring new product announcements, additional factory updates, deliveries of several highly anticipated projects, and continued growth across all three brands. Whether you're waiting on a reservation, following one of our new developments, or simply enjoying the journey alongside us, we are grateful to have you with us.
As always, thank you for your continued support, feedback, and passion for the hobby. Every project we undertake is made possible by customers like you, and we remain committed to producing models that honor the railroads, equipment, and history we all love.
We'll see you next month, with more arrivals, more announcements, and plenty more exciting news to share.
Happy Railroading,
Jay