NWSL (Northwest Short Lines) to Close

NWSL a major supplier of wheel sets, gears, and power truck parts plus other supplies for model railroaders of all scales has announced its closure. The last day of operation will be in early August, 2019. 

Over the years NWSL's array of products grew. It is a manufacturer and supplier of many items of which most model railroads use daily. For O scalers NWSL wheelsets are used to manufacturer power trucks for model trolleys. For the last 3 decades the NWSL wheelsets have been used to replace plastic wheelsets in freight cars. Metal wheels on metal rail make a distinctive sound like prototype freight cars make rolling by. Also, there is less chance of dirty rail!

NWSL has saved many O scale diesel locomotive models from the junk pile. NWSL makes replacement wheelsets with gears on the axels for AHM (ROCO),  Atlas, K-Line, MTH, Red Caboose, Weaver, perhaps other diesel models.

NWSL has a wide variety of gears and gear boxes. Enough to power and/or repower any steam locomotive. My comments have been mainly for the O scaler. However NWSL also has products for N, HO, S, and larger scales.

Then, there are the tools, hardware, parts, and books  every modeler needs. To see the full range of products available from NWSL, you need to look-up their on-line catalogue on the internet.

I hope someone will acquire some or all of NWSL's product line and do well! 

We are entering a drought of scratch building parts. Sometimes old manufacturers are being bought-up and the new owners do well. Other times the new owners find out they are in over their head for various reasons. When this happens the new owners sell off the parts to regain their original investment. Nothing is being upgraded or renewed. 

One way to obtain old parts is to try contacting individuals who handle estate sales of model trains. Always attend model train shows and meets to look for parts. 

Another idea is to find a computer savvy  individual who can prepare the material required for having a 3-D printing of the part. If the individual has a commercial company like Shapeways produce the part, they can make money for their work. This is easier than trying to making, a pattern, mold, and casting the part out of epoxy or metal.

Cheers,
Ed