Sunset Fall 2026 Catalog & August Updates
- thirdandtownsend
- 9 hours ago
- 11 min read
From Jay's Desk
A look behind the scenes over the past month
Reflections from the 2026 NMRA National Show In Chattanooga
New Jersey Edison Show
2026 Fall Catalog Is Live
New Locomotive Announcements
New Passenger Car/Rolling Stock Announcements
Projects Closing Soon
Union Pacific Heritage Fleet
America250 Big Boy Excursion Train – Series I
O Scale Plastic Heavyweights
O Scale EMD GP30's
O Scale EMD FL9's
HO Scale N&W Mollies
HO Scale AC-9's
Production Updates
O Scale EMD F7's
N&W M Class "Mollies"
C&O / VGN Alleghenies
Southern Pacific Lark
New York Central 20th Century Limited
Shipping Now
O Scale E8 & E9 Locomotives
HO Scale 80' Harriman Passenger Cars
In Stock E8/9's available now
What's Next in Production
HO Scale N&W M Class "Mollies"
HO Scale Southern Pacific AC-9
EMD GP30
Amtrak NextGen Acela
Looking Ahead
D&RGW HOn3 project in design
HO Southern Pacific 70' Head End Cars in design
Lark & 20th Shipping August 20th
Upcoming announcements
What to expect over the next few months
This month’s newsletter is being written from a slightly different office, somewhere around 38,000 feet in the air, en route to Newark, New Jersey, as we head from 2 days being home and getting over 100 orders shipped out from the NMRA National Convention and National Train Show to this weekend’s show in Edison.
It has been a whirlwind of a week, but the good kind, the kind that reminds me why we put so much time, travel, and heart into this hobby.
The NMRA Nationals were incredible this year. Between the National Train Show, seeing old friends, meeting new customers, showing off our latest samples, and talking about everything we have coming, the entire week seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. Our crew deserves much of the credit for that. They traveled a long way to help us, stepped in wherever they were needed, and somehow made one of our busiest shows feel easy. More importantly, they are not just customers or people who help us at shows, they have become genuine friends, both inside and outside the hobby. I am incredibly grateful to have them alongside us.
Saturday also marked the official release of our new catalog, something our entire team has spent months preparing. Watching people flip through it for the first time, seeing the reactions to the new projects, and hearing everyone’s ideas and questions made all of the late nights worthwhile. I will include a link below for anyone who has not had the opportunity to read it yet.
Read the new catalog here: https://www.thirdandtownsendmodels.com/sunsetggdcatalog
Some of the most meaningful moments of the week happened after the show floor closed. We shared dinners with friends and leaders from throughout the model railroad industry, people who may represent different companies, brands, and scales, but who are all working toward the same goal of keeping this hobby strong. Those conversations were both enjoyable and incredibly productive. A few ideas discussed around those dinner tables may eventually turn into some very exciting collaborations across multiple scales, so keep an eye out. There are some interesting things beginning to take shape behind the scenes.
There was barely enough time to unpack and ship Harrimans out before heading back to the airport, and now we are trading Chattanooga for New Jersey and getting ready to do it all over again at Edison. It is exhausting, exciting, occasionally chaotic, and absolutely worth it. Seeing the enthusiasm surrounding our new catalog, current production, and the future of Third & Townsend Models has left me more energized than ever about where we are headed.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth, watched the catalog walkthrough, shared a meal with us, helped our crew, or simply took a few minutes to talk trains. Those conversations and friendships are what make weeks like this so memorable.
Now, let’s take a look at what has happened since last month , and everything coming next.
Projects Closing Soon
Several of our most exciting projects are now entering the final reservation window. Once reservations close, production quantities will be finalized and submitted to the factory. As we've said before, we build based on reservations, not speculation, which means this is the best opportunity to guarantee your models before production begins.
Union Pacific Heritage Fleet Passenger Cars
Click the photo to be re-directed to the Union Pacific Heritage Fleet Reservation Page
This project represents a new benchmark for O scale passenger cars. Every car features an all-new, underbody with individually applied piping, brake rigging, air tanks, and detail parts, delivering the look and feel of a handcrafted brass model at a much more approachable price point. We set out to create the finest Union Pacific passenger cars available in O scale, and we truly believe these are the most accurate and best-detailed UP passenger cars produced since the legendary Wasatch Models brass imports.
Reservations for our Union Pacific Heritage Fleet passenger cars are expected to close in approximately 30 days. These cars have generated tremendous interest, and we're incredibly grateful for the response from the Union Pacific community.
With production scheduled to begin immediately following completion of the Lark and 20th Century Limited projects, now is the time to finalize your order if you've been considering adding this iconic train to your collection.
America250 Big Boy Excursion Train – Series I
Click the photo to be re-directed to the America250 Big Boy Excursion Set
Following our recent announcement in partnership with the America250 program, reservations are now open for Series I of the America250 Big Boy Excursion Train.
This first release includes the Promontory Baggage Car, Walter Dean Dome Lounge, City of Denver Dining Car, Challenger Dome Coach, Lincoln Business Observation Car, and Howard Fogg Power Car, faithfully recreating the historic consist currently traveling the country behind Union Pacific's legendary Big Boy.
These sets will be sold in commemorative packaging and sets will be numbered.
Reservations will also close in approximately 30-45 days, with production beginning alongside the Union Pacific Heritage Fleet this fall.
EMD GP30
Click the photo to be re-directed to the O Scale EMD GP30's
Reservations for our all-new O Scale EMD GP30 will close on September 20, 2026.
The GP30 is being developed with completely new tooling and will feature the road-specific details, paint schemes, and body variations necessary to accurately represent each offering. Rather than relying on a generic shell, our goal is to capture the individual character of every railroad represented in the project.
Production is scheduled to begin after completion of the EMD F7 program, making this the time to finalize your reservation before quantities are locked with the factory.
As with many of our projects, we cannot guarantee that every road name or road number will be available after the reservation period closes. Customers interested in securing a specific version should place their order before September 20.
We are excited to also announce a custom run of these GP30's for Joker's Trains. See the photo below for details. These are based on B&O Prototypes but share a little flare with a leased roadnumber.
New Locomotive Announcements
In this catalog, 2 new Diesel Projects, 2 new Steam Projects and 2 Diesel Re-Runs were announced
B&O/Seaboard KB-1 2-6-6-4's
C&O H-6 2-6-6-2's
NYC/B&A NE's 2-6-6-2's
NKP/W&LE/USRA 2-6-6-2's
N&W J1 Class Unshrouded 4-8-4's
N&W J Class 4-8-4's
GE P32AC/DM's
GE P40 DC/AMD103's
EMD CF7's
And the triumphant return of our GE P42's and Siemens Chargers
Please follow the link below to check out the new announcements
New Passenger/Rolling Stock Announcements
Norfolk Southern OCS Train Series 1
Conrail OCS Train Series 1
CSX OCS Train Series 1
Individual Lightweight Passenger Cars
Pullman & Budd Bi Levels
1952 Illinois Central City of New Orleans
Canadian Classics
Kickoff to the Private Varnish Series
Please follow the link below to check out the new announcements
Production Update
August is already shaping up to be a busy month at the factories, with several major projects reaching important milestones. Samples are beginning to move, final corrections are being completed, and two of our most anticipated passenger trains are preparing to leave China.
O Scale N&W M Class “Mollies”
The first samples of our O Scale Norfolk & Western M Class “Mollies” should be headed our way from the factory within the next week or two.
This will be our first opportunity to review the completed models in person, inspect the finish and detailing, and confirm that everything is ready for the final stages of production. The Mollies have been one of our most anticipated steam projects, and we are incredibly excited to finally see them moving toward the finish line.
We will share photos and a more detailed update as soon as the samples arrive.
O Scale EMD F7's
Our O Scale EMD F7 samples should also be leaving the factory within the next week or two.
This has been one of the largest and most complex diesel programs we have undertaken, with numerous road-specific details, paint schemes, and body variations included throughout the project. Once the samples arrive, our team will carefully review the paint, lettering, mechanical performance, and individual road details before granting final approval.
After the F7s are completed, factory attention will shift toward the all-new EMD GP30 and EMD FL9 projects.
C&O and Virginian Alleghenies
Our C&O and Virginian Alleghenies are now nearing the sample stage.
The factory continues working through assembly and detail installation on these massive locomotives, and we expect to have more substantial progress to share soon. Given the size and complexity of the prototype, every stage requires careful review, but the project is continuing to move forward steadily.
We are looking forward to seeing the first complete samples of these giants and sharing them with everyone once they are ready.
New York Central 20th Century Limited
We recently completed our review of the New York Central 20th Century Limited samples and submitted the necessary corrections to the factory.
Those adjustments are now being incorporated into the production run, and the completed models are currently scheduled to ship from China on August 20.
With the project preparing to leave the factory, we encourage all customers with outstanding balances to begin making arrangements for final payment. Having orders paid before arrival will allow our warehouse team to process and ship them as efficiently as possible once the container reaches us.
Southern Pacific Lark
The updated samples for our Southern Pacific Lark are scheduled to leave the factory and head to us this week for final review.
Assuming everything looks correct upon arrival, the Lark is also scheduled to ship from China on August 20, alongside the 20th Century Limited.
Customers with outstanding balances should begin preparing for payment now. These trains will begin moving quickly once they leave the factory, and paid-in-full orders can be processed first after the shipment arrives, clears customs, and is received at our warehouse.
We know how long many of you have been waiting for the Lark and 20th Century Limited, and we are excited to finally see both projects entering the shipping stage.
Shipping Now
Our warehouse has been extremely busy over the past few weeks as two major arrivals continue making their way out to customers.
O Scale E8 and E9 Locomotives
All paid O Scale E8 and E9 orders have now shipped, with the exception of international shipments. Those orders require additional paperwork and handling and will be processed after we return from the Edison show.
Tracking information has been sent as labels were created, so customers should continue checking their tracking for the latest movement.
We also have a limited number of leftover E8 and E9 locomotives available for immediate purchase. These models are now posted on our website and are available while supplies last.
HO Scale 80' Harriman Passenger Cars
Approximately half of our HO Scale 80' Harriman Passenger Car orders have now shipped, and our team is continuing to work through the remaining orders as quickly as possible.
Demand for the Harrimans has remained incredibly strong. We are currently accepting standby orders for sold-out road names and configurations in case inventory becomes available through cancellations, unpaid reservations, or final warehouse counts.
A limited number of additional Harriman cars are also available, so customers who missed the original reservation period should check the website or contact us before the remaining inventory is spoken for.
Thank you again for your patience while our team balances warehouse shipping with a packed summer show schedule. We are working through every order carefully and appreciate everyone’s continued support.
What’s Next in Production
With several major projects nearing the finish line, the next group of locomotives is already lined up and preparing to move forward. As capacity opens at the factories, these projects will transition from design and engineering into active production.
HO Scale N&W M Class “Mollies”
Following completion of the O Scale M Class locomotives, production will shift to our HO Scale N&W M Class “Mollies.”
The HO version will carry over the research, engineering, and road-specific details developed for the O Scale project while being designed specifically for the needs of HO modelers. The M Class has generated tremendous interest across both scales, and we are excited to keep the momentum going once the O Scale models are complete.
HO Scale Southern Pacific AC-9
The HO Scale Southern Pacific AC-9 is also scheduled to begin following completion of the O Scale Mollies.
This distinctive cab-forward-inspired locomotive has long been requested by Southern Pacific modelers, and we are looking forward to bringing it to life with the level of accuracy and detail expected from our brass locomotive program. Additional engineering and production updates will be shared as the project moves into the factory.
EMD GP30
Once the O Scale F7 program is completed, production will transition directly into our all-new EMD GP30.
Designed from the ground up with completely new tooling, the GP30 continues our investment in highly accurate first-generation diesel power. The project will include the road-specific details, body variations, paint, and lettering necessary to properly represent each offering rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all shell.
The GP30 represents another major step forward for our expanding O Scale diesel program, and we are excited to move it into production.
O Scale EMD FL9
Also moving forward in our diesel development schedule is the EMD FL9, one of the most distinctive locomotives ever built for passenger service.
Designed to operate under both diesel power and third-rail electric power, the FL9 became synonymous with New Haven and later served Penn Central, Conrail, Metro-North, and Amtrak through several different eras. Its unusual five-axle wheel arrangement, extended body, and long service life make it an important locomotive for both transition-era and modern passenger modelers.
Our FL9 will be developed as a redesigned tooling project, with careful attention paid to the numerous detail, paint, and configuration changes these locomotives received throughout their careers. It is a natural addition to our growing passenger diesel lineup and will pair especially well with many of our current and future passenger car projects.
More information on road names, configurations, and production timing will be shared as development progresses.
Amtrak NextGen Acela
Moving forward after the GP30 will be our Amtrak NextGen Acela, bringing America’s newest generation of high-speed passenger equipment to O Scale.
This is a completely new tooling project and one of the most ambitious modern passenger programs we have undertaken. Our goal is to accurately capture the sleek profile, distinctive details, and overall appearance of the prototype while delivering a complete train worthy of being the centerpiece of a modern layout or collection.
Looking Ahead
The next few months will be packed with new arrivals, production milestones, and project announcements across several scales.
Our Southern Pacific Lark and New York Central 20th Century Limited are scheduled to ship from China on August 20, with the O Scale EMD F7s and N&W M Class “Mollies” currently scheduled to follow on September 15. Customers with outstanding balances should begin preparing for payment as these projects move closer to arrival.
Once the Lark and 20th Century Limited are complete, production will begin on the Union Pacific Heritage Fleet, Union Pacific America250 Excursion Cars, and the O Scale D&RGW Yampa Valley Mail.
Behind them, the D&RGW HOn3 passenger cars and HO Scale Southern Pacific 70' Head-End Cars are moving through design, while the HO Mollies, HO AC-9, EMD GP30, EMD FL9, and Amtrak NextGen Acela continue advancing through our development and production pipeline.
Until Next Time
As we wrap up another newsletter, I want to thank everyone who joined us at the NMRA National Convention, stopped by the booth, watched the catalog walkthrough, or followed along from home. Weeks like this are exhausting, but they are also a reminder of how fortunate we are to be surrounded by such a passionate group of customers, friends, and industry partners.
Even while we are still on the road, our attention is already turning toward the Fall York Train Show. Preparations are underway, production samples are lining up, and we are already teeing up a special York announcement that we think will give everyone something new to talk about. We are not ready to spoil it just yet—but as usual, York will be worth watching.
Between incoming shipments, new samples, projects entering production, and a few surprises still waiting in the wings, the next several months are going to move quickly. We appreciate everyone who continues to support these projects, share our enthusiasm, and give us the opportunity to keep building the models we all want to see.
For now, it is on to Edison, and then straight back to work getting ready for fall.
Thank you, as always, for being part of the Third & Townsend Models family. We will see a few of you this weekend at Edision and many of you at York.
-Jay