Third & Townsend Models

12/04/2025

FINAL CALL FOR O SCALE E8/9's! 🚨

Reservations for our Sunset Models 3rd Rail O Scale EMD E8/9's close TODAY at 5:00 PM PST.

If these have been sitting in your cart… this is it. Once the books close, that’s it for this run. You know the drill, we ran these last in 2019 and it's taken 6 years to do them again..

These units are absolute showstoppers in our first ever UP Executive schemes, multiple Amtrak phases, Frisco to pair well with your new Texas Special, and many more! Sharp, sleek, and guaranteed to stand out on any layout, you're not going to want to wait until the next time we do these. Don’t miss your shot to lock one in before they’re gone.

Reserve yours here before 5:00 PM PST!

Sunset Models 3rd Rail O Scale EMD E8/9 A and B Units With All Ball Bearing DriveIn The Following Roads ACL - B&O - B&O EARLY BLUE/WHITE -C&NW - C&O - CB&Q - COG - CP - ERIE LACKAWANNA - ERIE - IC - KCS - NJC - RF&P - MOPAC (Classic & Jenks Blue) - PRR - C&NW - N&...

12/04/2025

FINAL BOARDING CALL! HO SCALE 80' HARRIMANS! 🚂✨

Reservations for the Golden Gate Depot HO Scale 80' Harriman Cars close TODAY at 5:00 PM PST, and this is your official tap on the shoulder (for probably the 8th time). If these beauties have been living rent-free in your head… it’s time.

The photos say it all, you've seent the samples, seen the videos, you know these cars are special.

They're underway and January will be here before you know it...

The cars of your dreams leaves the station at 5:00 PM PST. Hop on below:

https://www.thirdandtownsendmodels.com/product-page/golden-gate-depot-harriman-cars-2024

12/04/2025

📬 Second Call for the Sunset Models 3rd Rail Catalog Club!

If you haven’t joined yet, now’s the time. For $59.99/year, you’ll get two full-color printed catalogs mailed directly to your door before anyone else, plus a shot at the Golden Ticket for a chance to win a free Aluminum O Scale Passenger car or three HO/HOn3 plastic ones.

⏰ Final date to purchase and guarantee the 12/20 mailing is approaching fast. We have 37 spots left for this first round! Don’t miss the shipment cutoff!

👉 Join the Catalog Club here

🎟️ Sunset Models 3rd Rail Catalog Club Step into the world of premium scale model railroading with the Sunset Models 3rd Rail Catalog Club. For just $59.99 per year, members receive exclusive perks designed for the most dedicated modelers. 📬 Two Printed & Mailed Catalogs AnnuallyBeautifu...

11/23/2025

Southern Pacific Saturday is looking mighty bright today!

Feast your eyes on our brand-new HO Scale 80’ unpainted Harriman samples operating at the Incredible Colorado Model Railroad Museum. Fresh from the shop with production underway.

Don’t worry,once the interiors are painted, that glow settles down and the cars take on the beautiful prototypical look you’re expecting.

Reservations close on 11/30 for the 1/26 delivery. Follow the link below to finalize your order today!

https://www.thirdandtownsendmodels.com/product-page/golden-gate-depot-harriman-cars-2024

11/16/2025

🚨The Chargers and P42’s are SHIPPING🚨

The container was delivered today and promptly unloaded!

First hundred or so were picked up this afternoon…

Were you one of the lucky ones that made it out on Day One?

👇Comment below if your tracking shows on the move!!!

11/16/2025

🚂 Missed Mollie Madness Monday… but here we are on Totally Late Mollie Madness Tuesday! 😅

All five CAD renderings for the Mollie project are here, including two fresh ones: the Balloon Stack “As Delivered” version and the 1990s Strasburg #475. Both HO and O Scale are shaping up beautifully, and we couldn’t be more excited to share the progress.

The HO Scale Experimental M-2 is still about 30 reservations shy of green-lighting design, so if you’ve been on the fence, now’s the time to climb aboard!

HO Mollies ETA: Late Spring 2026
O Scale Mollies ETA: Summer 2026

Follow the link below to reserve!

https://www.thirdandtownsendmodels.com

11/16/2025

Production is in full swing! ⚙️🔥 Fresh from the factory, the O Scale 1937 Super Chief and 1948 Broadway Limited are taking shape in stunning aluminum body and brass interior construction! Every curve, every interior wall, every fluted panel, pure streamliner glory coming to life✨

HO Scale 80' Harrimans will have their own post tomorrow...

11/16/2025

🚨 HO Scale Harriman Production Samples Have Arrived! 🚨

A long-awaited day is here, the HO Scale 80’ Harriman Passenger Car raw unpainted production samples have officially landed, and they are absolutely stunning!

This run is loaded with brass craftsmanship throughout, from etched kitchen cabinets in the Dining Car/Hamburger Grill to the Observation car’s platform railing, roof antennas on multiple cars, all grab irons and interior partitions that capture every bit of much desired detail.

Ashtrays in the Lounge and Smoking Room in the Observation car, Barbers chair in Obs as well, Secretaries desks and more were captured in this run!

We’ve included a slough of photos so you can take in all the fine detailing for yourself, with more pictures and videos coming later this week.

Pre orders are open for another 20 days officially, HARD CLOSE 11/30 to stay with the January ETA.

Stay tuned as we move closer to delivery… you’re going to want these on your rails. 🚆✨

https://www.thirdandtownsendmodels.com/product-page/golden-gate-depot-harriman-cars-2024

11/16/2025

Happy Sunday, everyone! 🌞🚂

Hope you’re all having a relaxing weekend and maybe even getting some track time in. Just a quick reminder, reservations for the EMD E8s are closing on 11/30! If you’ve been on the fence, now’s the moment. These beauties are on track for an estimated February delivery, and we can’t wait to get them in your hands.

Grab your spot while you still can — it’s the final stretch! 🔔🛤️

https://www.thirdandtownsendmodels.com/oscalepreorder

10/19/2025

We’re going live with Jokers Trains tonight for a little pre York Train Fair fun at 5:00 MST! Follow the link below to tune in and make sure to like and follow both us and Joker if you don’t already!

Jay from 3rd rail is back to provide some updates for what he has going on with upcoming product. 4 Days till York. Come hang out with me and Jay. There is a...

10/17/2025

🚨 The GP30 Project CAD Is Here, and It’s Big! 🚨

Our O Scale EMD GP30 CAD renderings have arrived, and this project is shaping up to be one of our most ambitious diesels yet. We’re talking nearly two dozen unique road name matrices, each packed with road-specific details, from handrails and pilots to dynamic brakes, fans, and lights, all tailored to match the prototype.

Arriving in both 2 and 3 Rail versions, the most detailed to have ever been made thus far at an MSRP of $799.99

This isn’t just a GP30… it’s your railroad’s GP30.
Take a look at the CADs, see what’s coming, and reserve yours before production rolls on!

👉 thirdandtownsendmodels.com/product-page/sunset-models-3rd-rail-o-scale-emd-gp-30

📸 Every railroad told its own story with the GP30, and now, so will you.

ETA: Summer 2026

10/17/2025

🚂 HO Scale Troop Train Galore! 🇺🇸

Over 33 Hallmark Custom and Pro-Painted Troop Sleepers and Kitchen Cars, priced $100–$150 each, joined by a Precision Scale Troop Sleeper ($200), a Coach Yard Pro-Painted Hospital Car ($600), and a Soho Walter Reed Heavyweight ($50).

We're accepting offers, and bulk discounts apply, perfect chance to build your wartime consist or expand your military train collection!