Available CNS&M Models in Kit or Other Forms

The list of North Shore models turned out to be the most troublesome for multiple reasons. The NSL may be the most followed of all the trolley lines. It is probably the interurban with the most models available in O scale.

During the 1980's and 90's I paid little attention to new traction models for sale. It was during this time many new models of the NSL were available. In the 1990's a number of brass models were produced by either The Car Works or MTS Imports. Some of the batches of car series imported had problems with the way the roof of the cars looked. To save the importer money this batch of models were repackaged in blue boxes and sold under the name Chicago Traction Special. Since I was not paying attention to the modeling scene and now without a source of good information, my list of NSL models may not be complete. I tried to contact the importers for information but never received any replies.

To tell the truth it's hard to look at the curvature of the roof of one of the Chicago Traction Specials models and know the curvature is not 100% correct.

This is the list I expect to get the most number of comments about. If you have any corrections or additons contact me.

Because a model is listed does not mean an endorsement from me. Some items listed are fantastic while other may be very basic in nature. However, even very basic models with proper finishing can be extremely well done model!

Here's the NSL list -

O SCALE CNS&M MODELS

Explanation of descriptions used for models:

brass body – unpainted built-up brass body without trucks

brass body w/trucks (non-powered) – unpainted built-up with non-powered trucks
powered brass body – unpainted built-up brass body with powered trucks (RTR)
wood body - unpainted built-up wood body without trucks
urethane body – unpainted built-up urethane body without trucks
“zinc” metal castings kit – a kit composed of “pot” or zinc alloy metal castings without trucks
various materials kit – a kit composed of metal stampings or castings, wood, etc. material
soft metal body – unpainted built-up “lead” based alloy body without trucks
epoxy body – unpainted built-up epoxy body without trucks
painted, complete powered model - a ready to run model

(Some knowledge of the manufacturer and/or importer of the model is helpful as they tended to provide all of their models in the same condition.)

CNS&M

Type                                                   Manufacturer

Early Interurban and Streetcar Passenger Cars

#129-137 Jewett Car Company Wooden Passenger Coach
            Midwestern Train Hobby – wooden body

#200 series Jewett Car Company Wooden Combination Baggage-Coach

            MTS Imports – brass body w/trucks (non-powered)

#300 series Jewett Car Company Wooden Passenger Coach

            Gryzna Models – “zinc” metal castings kit (17/64 scale)
            MTS Imports – brass body w/trucks (non-powered)

#400 series Jewett Car Company Wooden Parlor-Buffet Car

            MTS Imports – brass body w/trucks (non-powered)

#316 series Single Truck Birney

            Ken Kidder – brass body
            Precision Brass – powered brass body

#351 series St. Louis Car Company Streetcar

            Greg King – epoxy kit

#500 series Deck Roof Streetcar, either 1-man or 2-man

            Ken Kidder – brass body

#510-511 Cincinnati Car Company Lightweight Passenger Coach

            Bronze Key Models – urethane body

Steel Interurban Passenger Cars
#150 series Brill Car Company Passenger Coach
            William J. Clouser – epoxy body
            Bronze Key Models – urethane body
            MTS Imports – brass body w/trucks (non-powered)

#165 series Jewett Car Company Passenger Coach

            William J. Clouser – epoxy body
            Bronze Key Models – urethane body
            MTS Imports – brass body w/trucks (non-powered)

#170 series Cincinnati Car Company Passenger Coach

            MTS Imports – brass body w/trucks (non-powered) – 2 versions powered or trailer coach

#250 series Jewett Car Company Combination Baggage-Coach

            Walthers – various materials kit
            William J. Clouser – epoxy body
            Bronze Key Models – urethane body
            MTS Imports – brass body w/trucks (non-powered)

#404-406 Jewett Car Company Dining Car

            MTS Imports – brass body w/trucks (non-powered)
            Bronze Key Models – urethane body

#409 & 414 Cincinnati Car Company Dining Car

            MTS Imports – brass body w/trucks (non-powered)
            Chicago Traction Special – brass body w/trucks (non-powered)

#410-413 Cincinnati Car Company Observation Car (original version)

            Walthers – various materials kit

            The Car Works – brass body w/trucks (non-powered)

#410-413 Cincinnati Car Company Passenger Coach (as rebuilt from an observation)

            Walthers – various materials kit

            The Car Works – brass body w/trucks (non-powered)

#418-419 Pullman Car Company Dining Car

            Walthers – various materials kit

            The Car Works – brass body w/trucks (non-powered)

#420 Pullman Car Company Observation Car (original version)

            Walthers – various materials kit

            The Car Works – brass body w/trucks (non-powered)

#420 Pullman Car Company Passenger Coach (as rebuilt from an observation)

            Walthers – various materials kit

            The Car Works – brass body w/trucks (non-powered)

#700 series Cincinnati Car Company Passenger Coach

            The Car Works – brass body w/trucks (non-powered)

#737 series Pullman Car Company Passenger Coach

MTS Imports – brass body w/trucks (non-powered)

Chicago Traction Special – brass body

#752 series Standard Car Company Passenger Coach

            Walthers – various materials kit

            All Nation Hobby Shop – brass body

            The Car Works – brass body w/trucks (non-powered)

Chicago Traction Special – brass body

            MTS Imports – brass body w/trucks (non-powered) – 3 versions - original, modified roof,

or Silverliner

#801 series St. Louis Car Company Electroliner

            Ken Kidder – brass body (painted and non-painted)

Locomotive Workshop – brass and soft metal kit

The Car Works – painted brass body w/power trucks

3^rd-Rail/Sunset Models Inc. – painted brass body w/power trucks

Replacement Electroliner - 3-car train made up of 2 coaches and a “diner series” car

           3^rd Rail/Sunset Models Inc. – painted brass bodies w/power trucks

                        Greenliner paint scheme – 2 coaches numbers unknown and 415 diner

                        Silverliner paint scheme – coaches 738 and 739 plus 415 tavern-lounge

Service and Freight Cars

#202 series Merchandise Dispatch Car

All Nation Hobby Shop-Traction Ted Cars – various materials kit

Ashland Car Works – various materials kit

#215 series Merchandise Dispatch Car

            Walthers – various materials kit

All Nation Hobby Shop-Traction Ted Cars – various materials kit

Ashland Car Works – various materials kit

#240 series Merchandise Dispatch Refrigerator Trailer

            Ashland Car Works – various materials kit

#450-451 GE 40-ton Steeple Cab Locomotive (curved top cab side window)

            William S. Flatt – brass kit or built-up brass body

            Models by Miller – soft metal body

            The Car Works – brass body w/trucks (non-powered)

#452-454 & 457 GE 40-ton Steeple Cab Locomotive (square cab side window)

            William S. Flatt – brass kit or built-up brass body

            Q Car Company – epoxy body

            Ken Kidder – Brass body

#455-456 GE-Alco 80-ton Storage Battery Steeple Cab Locomotive

            Ken Kiddder – brass body

#458 ex-OE 4-truck Long Cab Locomotive

            Ashland Car Works – painted, complete powered model

#459 ex-OE 4-truck Steeple Cab locomotive

            Ken Kidder – brass body

#21 McGuire-Cummings Double Truck Snow Sweeper

            Midwestern Train Hobby – wooden body

#603 Sprinkler Car
            Current Line Models – painted, complete powered model


#604 Line Car

            Current Line Models – painted, complete powered model

#606 Line Car
           Current Line Models – painted, complete powered model


#607 Crane Car
           Current Line Models – painted, complete powered model

#608 McGuire-Cummings Single Truck Snow Sweeper            Midwestern Train Hobby – wooden body

Cheers,
Ed