May 2026 Update! Projects Shipping & Projects Closing! HO 80' Subs, O Scale E-8/9's & O Scale Mollies/Alleghenies/F7's
- thirdandtownsend
- 2 minutes ago
- 8 min read
This past month took us all over the map. From the Rocky Mountain Train Show, where we had the chance to catch up with many of you in person, to a productive trip overseas in China visiting our factory partners and checking in on multiple active projects firsthand, it’s been a busy but exciting few weeks.
One of the biggest highlights of the China trip was getting to see several long awaited projects in person as they move through the final stages of production. There’s something special about standing on the factory floor, seeing rows of models assembled, watching testing take place, and knowing that projects many of you have been waiting on for months are finally about to make their way home.
The biggest immediate news is that the HO Scale 80’ Harriman passenger cars and the O Scale EMD E8/9 locomotives are now both scheduled to leave the factory on May 23rd and begin their trip stateside together. After a long road for both of these projects, it’s exciting to finally be able to say they are on the move.
At the same time, reservation windows are rapidly closing on several active projects. The O Scale Norfolk & Western Mollies and O Scale EMD F7s close tomorrow, while the O Scale C&O Allegheny / Virginian Blue Ridge closes on May 30th before production continues forward.
As always, it’s a busy time here, but that’s exactly how we like it.
Let’s get into the updates.
HO Scale 80’ Harriman Passenger Cars – Finally On The Move
One of the most anticipated projects in recent memory is finally nearing the finish line.
During our recent trip to China, we had the opportunity to visit the passenger car factory and see the HO Scale 80’ Harriman cars in person. Seeing rows and rows of assembled cars staged for packaging was a pretty satisfying sight after the long road this project has taken.
As many of you know, this project experienced a few delays along the way as we worked through tooling refinements, corrections, and final details. While no one enjoys delays, we’ve always believed it’s better to take the time to get things right rather than rush something out the door.
The good news is the wait is nearly over. These cars are now scheduled to leave the factory on May 23rd alongside the O Scale E8/9 locomotives.
For those who missed the reservation window, standby reservations remain open, and the good news is that there will be some HO Harriman inventory available for stock once the shipment arrives. Availability will be limited, but if you missed out originally, there will still be an opportunity to add these to your fleet.
For our Southern Pacific fans, don’t worry—we’re not done. These Harrimans are just the beginning, with the HO Scale 70’ Head End Cars and the stunning 1949 / 1956 Shasta Daylight aluminum passenger cars still ahead.
O Scale EMD E8 / E9 Shipping Soon
The long awaited O Scale EMD E8 and E9 locomotives are finally entering the home stretch.
During our factory visit, we were able to inspect the locomotives firsthand, observe testing, and review final production details before shipment. These locomotives have come together beautifully, and we’re incredibly excited for everyone to see them in person.
Many of you saw the recent sample photos we shared, including the Union Pacific Executive set and Southern Pacific Daylight versions. One thing we always appreciate about this community is the incredible attention to detail.
Within hours, several sharp eyed modelers caught a few small corrections needed on the UP sample, including:
• Green nose grab irons
• Removal of the “A” designation behind the 949 / 951 road numbers
• Addition of the proper E9 builder’s plate
Thanks to both the community and our incredible factory team, those corrections were implemented immediately.
The E8/9s are now scheduled to ship from the factory on May 23rd alongside the HO Harrimans. If you missed reservations, standby reservations are still open for the E8/9 project as well. As always, standby fulfillment will depend on final availability once all reserved orders are accounted for.
These have been worth the wait.
Final Call – O Scale Mollies & F7s
Click the flyers above to be re-directed to the reservation page!
This is your final reminder.
Reservations for the O Scale Norfolk & Western Mollies and the O Scale EMD F7 A & B Units close tomorrow.
Both of these projects are scheduled to begin production immediately following reservation close, and once the numbers are locked in, that’s it. Our estimated time of completion for these are late summer.
The Mollies have been one of the most talked about steam projects we’ve announced, and the F7s have seen incredible momentum thanks to the wide range of roadnames, tooling variations, and the flexibility of the project.
If either of these are on your wish list, now is the time.
Allegheny / Blue Ridge Closing Soon
Click the photo above to be re-directed to the reservation page!
The massive O Scale Chesapeake & Ohio Allegheny and Virginian Blue Ridge project is officially underway, and reservations will be closing on May 30th.
This has quickly become one of the most exciting steam projects in our pipeline, and after seeing the latest progress firsthand, we can confidently say this locomotive is going to be something special.
If you’ve been considering reserving one, the clock is ticking for a late summer delivery.
Currently In Production Legendary Passenger Trains Underway
While some projects are getting ready to leave the factory, others are already well underway.
Production is actively in progress on both the 1938 / 1940 New York Central 20th Century Limited and the 1941 / 1956 Southern Pacific Lark aluminum passenger car projects.
These are two trains that really need no introduction. Both are among the most iconic passenger trains ever to run in the United States, and seeing them officially moving through production is incredibly exciting.
The 20th Century Limited, often called the most famous train in America, has long been one of those signature trains that deserves a proper O scale treatment, while the Southern Pacific Lark remains one of the most elegant overnight trains to ever grace the rails, especially for our SP faithful.
Both projects officially entered production recently, and the factory is now moving forward with manufacturing.
Reservations for both trains are now officially closed, however standby reservations remain open. As always, standby opportunities may become available depending on final production numbers, dealer adjustments, and project allocations.
These are shaping up to be absolutely stunning sets, and we look forward to sharing production progress as the builds move forward.
Projects in Design & Development
While production is moving full steam ahead on several major projects, there is just as much activity happening behind the scenes on the next wave of releases. Design work, tooling, engineering reviews, and refinements are happening across multiple categories right now, and we wanted to share a quick look at what’s actively in development.
Union Pacific Heritage Fleet
One of the most anticipated passenger projects currently in development is the Union Pacific Heritage Fleet.
This has been a highly requested project, and design work continues to move forward as we work toward bringing these iconic modern era passenger cars to life in O scale. The Heritage Fleet represents some of the most recognizable passenger equipment still operating today, and we know many of you are eager to see this project move into production.
Click on the photo to be re-directed to the reservation page!
O Scale Amtrak NextGen Acela
The Amtrak NextGen Acela remains in active development as well.
This project represents a completely different era of passenger railroading than many of our traditional offerings, but it’s exactly the kind of modern flagship train that deserves accurate representation. Engineering and design work continue as we move toward production scheduling.
This is going to be a very exciting one for our modern passenger rail fans.
Click on the photo to be re-directed to the reservation page!
HOn3 D&RGW Closed Vestibule Coaches
For our narrow gauge fans, the HOn3 D&RGW Closed Vestibule passenger cars are continuing to move forward nicely.
This project has generated tremendous excitement, and we’re happy to report that design work is progressing well. We expect to have CAD drawings ready to share very soon, giving everyone their first detailed look at the project.
This will mark another exciting addition to our growing HOn3 lineup.
Click on the photo to be re-directed to the reservation page!
HO Scale Norfolk & Western Mollies
Click on the photo to be re-directed to the reservation page!
The HO Scale Norfolk & Western Mollies are also actively moving through development.
After the incredible response to the O scale versions, we’re excited to bring these charming and unique locomotives to HO scale as well. Design work is progressing steadily as we prepare for the next phases of engineering and production planning.
For many of us, these little locomotives are impossible not to love.
O Scale EMD GP30
Click on the photo to be re-directed to the reservation page!
And finally, the EMD GP30 continues to move closer to production.
Tooling work is now nearing completion, bringing this project significantly closer to entering the production schedule. The GP30 has been a long awaited diesel project, and it’s exciting to see the finish line for tooling finally coming into view.
More updates on this one soon.
New Exclusive Project Joker’s Trains Boeing Skybox Flat Cars
Click on the photo to be re-directed to the reservation page!
We also recently launched something a little different, and a whole lot of fun.
In collaboration with Joker’s Trains, we’re excited to offer the exclusive O Scale Boeing Skybox Flat Car Set.
This unique release brings together two things many of us love, railroads and aviation, with a special consist featuring Boeing transport equipment in a format that looks right at home behind modern power or as a standout addition to any freight collection.
As with many of our more unique projects, this is the kind of offering that probably doesn’t happen without the support of the community and partners willing to do something a little outside the box.
For those who may not know, we also join Joker live on his YouTube show about once a month to talk projects, preview upcoming announcements, answer questions, and just talk trains. It’s become a fun way to connect with the community in a more casual setting, and if you haven’t checked out his channel yet, it’s absolutely worth a look.
Click the photo below to be re-directed to his YouTube channel!
If you’re a fan of unusual prototype movements, aerospace shipments, or just want something completely different on your layout, this one is worth a look.
Reservations are now open.
Closing Thoughts
As always, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank all of you for the continued support.
The past month has been a whirlwind between traveling overseas to visit our factory partners, seeing projects firsthand that many of you have been waiting on, preparing shipments, closing projects, launching new ones, and continuing to push forward on what is becoming one of our busiest production schedules yet.
Trips like the recent one to China are always a great reminder of just how much goes into bringing these projects to life. From engineering meetings and tooling reviews to final assembly inspections and test runs, there is an incredible amount of work happening behind the scenes before a model ever reaches your hands. Being there in person, seeing it all unfold, and knowing how many of you are just as excited as we are makes it all worth it.
But more than the projects, it’s the people that make this hobby what it is.
Whether it’s seeing many of you at shows, hearing your feedback on sample photos, catching the tiny details we can correct before production, or simply sharing the excitement of a favorite prototype finally being announced, this community continues to be one of the best parts of what we do.
We’re building more than model trains. We’re preserving history, telling stories, and bringing pieces of the real railroad world into our homes and layouts.
Thank you for being part of that with us.
We have a lot more coming this summer, and I think you’re going to like what’s ahead.
See you down the line.
-Jay