October 2026 News Sunset Models 3rd Rail/Golden Gate Depot Production Acquisition & More

A New Chapter Begins

October is an exciting month for us at Third & Townsend Models. As many of you know, we’ve recently taken over the production of Sunset Models 3rd Rail and Golden Gate Depot products, bringing their long-standing tradition of craftsmanship into our family. This change means that everything you’ve come to expect will continue, while also opening new opportunities for the future of HO, O, and HOn3 model railroading.

We want to reassure you that nothing about production, design, or our factory partnerships is changing. The same attention to detail, quality, and care that 3rd Rail and Golden Gate Depot are known for will continue. The main change is that all orders placed directly through Sunset Models are now being transferred into our system here at Third & Townsend, and that process should be fully completed by the end of this week. Your reservations are safe, accounted for, and moving forward exactly as planned.

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of traveling with Scott Mann and my our friend Richard Dunn to visit our factories and design teams in China and Korea. It was amazing to see firsthand the incredible people who bring our models to life. We got to check in on several exciting projects, including the P42s, Siemens Chargers, the Harriman tooling and sample shots, and the Texas Special. Seeing the care and precision that goes into every detail was truly inspiring.

Of course, it takes a team to make these projects a reality. Jonathan, Peter, and Greg, along with our talented design teams and factories, are all dedicated to ensuring every detail is done right. Their hard work, combined with the efforts of our factory teams, makes it possible to deliver models that meet the high standards you expect.

The trip also gave us a chance to strengthen the relationships that make every project possible. We came away energized and confident that the high standards of craftsmanship and quality you expect from Third & Townsend Models are in excellent hands. It was a great reminder that our hobby is a global effort, with passionate teams working together across the world to bring these models to your layouts.

We are so grateful for your support and patience during this transition. We’re genuinely excited about what lies ahead, both in carrying forward the legacy of 3rd Rail and Golden Gate Depot and in building the future of model railroading with you.

Upcoming Deadlines – Last Chance to Reserve

We’re coming up on the final call for three of our most anticipated projects. Reservations will officially close on October 15th for:

After October 15th, any new reservations will be considered stand-by only. Minimum quantities have already been secured with the factory, and all current orders were confirmed with customers last week. This means these projects are moving forward, but if you’d like to add more cars to your order, this is your last opportunity before the cutoff date.

Payment Portals Opening Soon

In the coming days, we’ll be opening payment portals for the HO Scale 80' Harrimans, O Scale 1937 Santa Fe Super Chief, and O Scale 1948 Broadway Limited. If you’re interested in a payment plan, please reach out to us—your invoice can be set up to reflect your preferred schedule. We understand that times are uncertain, especially with tariffs and other global factors, so rest assured that the day you make your payment, your price is locked in.

All three of these projects have an ETA of Late January 2026.

Reservations Closing a Bit Further Out

Looking a little further ahead, reservations for the E8/9 Project will be closing in about 60 days with an ETA of March 2026. We’ve already added the Southern Tuxedo, Early Baltimore & Ohio, and Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac schemes due to strong demand, and there may be a few more schemes added in the coming weeks. If you haven’t secured your road names and consists yet, now’s the time while options remain wide open.

And for HO Scale fans, reservations for the N&W Mollies (4-8-0s) will close in early January with an ETA of April 2026. These have been very popular since we announced them, and spots are filling quickly with the project almost 60% reserved. Don’t wait until the last minute to reserve yours.

A Quick Note to Close

We know this newsletter is a little shorter and straight to the point, but that’s because we’ve been very busy managing this transition and making sure everything is moving smoothly with the acquisition of Sunset Models 3rd Rail and Golden Gate Depot. Between transferring orders, checking in on factories, and planning upcoming projects, there’s never a dull moment!

We truly appreciate your support and patience during this busy time, and we’re excited to keep sharing updates, sneak peeks, and news as we move forward together. Thank you for being part of this journey with us, we couldn’t do it without you.

-Jay Escamilla