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HOW MODELCRAFTERS STARTED

ModelCrafters is a company I created in 1985 to build military trains for the 3-rail "O" gauge market. They were sold at train shows that grew into a mail order business. My son Jon has built a web site http://www.modelcrafters.com that acts as our catalog. All the items built are custom made in 3-rail "O/O27" gauge,  2-rail "O" scale, HO, G/Gauge One(1/32 scale), a tiny amount of "N" scale and no "Z" scale. I have built most service branches and most eras but mainly U.S. Army WWII and Korea. Modern military is very limited.

WHAT MODELCRAFTERS IS UP TO

"O" Gauge-3 Rail U.S. Army M4A3(75) Sherman Tank w/Cullen Hedgerow Device on 40` Flat Car

MILITARY TRAINS:
In recent years what started out looking very toy-like has become more "scale-like". The difference is in the details and finish. I have three versions of finishes for the military cars:

A. "Factory Fresh" Series-New appearance, no dirt or mud, rust, minimal weathering. These cars are debarking from the factory to the military base or war zone. They have not been on the ground or in action-they are "spit shine", clean, new, no rust, grime or wear.

B. "Battle Driven" Series-Battle field appearance, mud, rust, grime and heavy weathering. These cars are debarking the training camps, field testing facilities or battle zones to other zones of operation. They have seen action in the field. (This is the current favorite)

This finish is in the developmental phase:
C. "War Weary" Series-These cars are being returned from the battle zones and field testing facilities in damaged condition. They have encountered heavy action and damage, if not totally destroyed. They are being brought in for repair, parts or salvage, i.e. burned out, shot up, broken up, dirty and conspicuously damaged.

WHAT IS REAL NEW AT MODELCRAFTERS

A. DECALS -I make my own decals just like everything else, one at a time. I can print white, metallic colors like gold and silver and any

"O" Gauge-3 Rail U.S. Army 35` Recessed Center Flat Carw/Die-cast Sprung Trucks

other color needed. This means I can add your dads name, who was in WWII, to the side of a tank. Or, I can put the insignia of say, the 2nd Armored Division on the flat car or tank. The personalizing and customizing is limitless.(Please note: ModelCrafters does not sell decals, yet.)

B. CUSTOM WEATHERING OF COMMERCIAL ROAD NAME LOCOMOTIVES, ROLLING STOCK AND LAYOUT ACCESSORIES -I can take that brand new shiny Brass, Die-Cast, Plastic road name and make it look like it has a life. Soot, grime, salt spray can co-exist in such a way that the cars will look like the real thing. Send in that loco or car or accessory that you have gotten tired of looking at and get a make-over, you might enjoy it again. I can also paint, decal and weather your locomotive in Military".