American Model Builders, Inc. is located in St. Louis, Missouri, and has been
in business since 1984. They carry approximately 360 items in a variety of
scales. They offer laser-cut wood structure kits and detail parts, as well as
pre-masked acrylic passenger car sides with laser-cut door openings and grab
iron holes The Covered Barge was the Rail-Marine equivalent of the Railroad
Boxcar. Many of the United States' "Eastern" Railroads maintained huge
"Railroad Navies". The NYC, PRR, LV, CNJ, Erie, DL&W, NH and others all had a
variety of craft on their rosters, everything from Railroad Harbor Tugboats,
to Stick Lighters, Scows, Floating Livestock "Yards" , Station Floats, Car
Floats and Ferries. There were even Floating Grain Elevators, which to the
inexperienced are some of the most ungainly water craft imaginable. Many of
these barges roamed the Northern East Coast, from Maine, southward to the
Carolinas, all carrying Railroad Freight. Large concentrations of activity
could be found in Portland, Maine and Philadelphia, with the biggest operation
centered around New York City. Railroad Tugs pushed, pulled and maneuvered all
these craft from the piers of New York and New Jersey, and up the Hudson
River. The historical records of tonnage moved by the Rail-Marine craft are
astonishing. In most cases, this "tonnage" was called "lighterage" by the
rail-marine folks. Lighterage was, simply put, just about anything the
railroad navies hauled from one freight dock to another. Many times Barges and
Stick Lighters were tied up alongside ocean going ships in order to load the
lighterage on board, often, as the ship was imminently ready to sail. Freight
was transported this way from the late 1800s up until the 1960s. The
"Inspiration" for our line of Rail-Marine Kits was a two part article, written
by Don Spiro, that appeared in the December, 2002 and January, 2003 issues of
Railroad Model Craftsman. For any model railroader who is not aware of the
aspects of Rail-Marine operation, an incredible surprise awaits them as there
was an interesting variety of equipment used, not to mention the interaction
between railroad navies and their respective land based counterparts. For
those who already know the "treasures" of this fascinating world, AMB
hope to provide you with the largest variety of high quality Rail-Marine
models to be produced. We also hope that our kits will find their way to the
workbenches of the "uninitiated" modelers and that they, too, will discover
the Rail-Marine World.

Farbar Station -- 6-1/2 x 5 x 4" 16.3 x 12.5 x 10cm This delightful structure is based on a plan used by Chicago & Alton Railroad in the late 1800s, which has been preserved and is still standing today. The kit is perfect for any small town and features upstairs living quarters for the agent and his family, along with many period details.

Lake Junction Station -- 2-1/4 x 2" 5.6 x 5cm Built by Missouri Pacific at Lake Junction, Missouri, a suburb of Webster Grove. Can be used as a small office.

I llinois Central Type B Depot -- 3 x 4-1/4" 7.5 x 10.6cm Built for very small towns and remote areas to provide the agent with a modest office and freight house.

Santa Fe Two Story Depot -- 5 x 2-1/2 x 3-3/4" 12.5 x 6.2 x 9.4cm Based on the Engel, New Mexico depot built to ATSF #1 Standard Two-Story design. Almost identical structures were built throughout Colorado, New Mexico and western Kansas from the 1880s on. Includes ATSF-style shingles and paint-mixing formulas to match various schemes.

Union Pacific Standard 24 x 64' Depot - Oregon Shortline Version -- 10 X 3-1/2 x 2-1/3" 8.4 x 17.1cm Used all along the UP, ideal for small towns on your road as well.Includes laser-cut brackets and roof trusses.

Great Northern Depot -- 8-1/4 x 4-1/8 x 3-1/4" 20.6 x 10.3 x 9.3cm Local residents will be mighty proud to have this depot in their town. Based on a Great Northern prototype, it has all the features that make it a perfect choice for any layout. Detailed laser-cut parts include the bay window and a ladder.

Atlantic Coast Line Depot -- 13 x 5 x 3-1/2" 32.5 x 12.5 x 8.7cm This classic depot is a must-have for the ACL fan and will look great on any layout set in the South. It includes the unique bay window and dormer, wrap-around freight dock and chimneys found on actual ACL depots of this style.

Southern Pacific Type 22 Depot -- 11 x 3-1/2 x 4-1/2" 27.5 x 8.7 x 11.2cm Designed from the original railroad drawings, this depot was built by the SP on both narrow- and standard-gauge lines, and many are still standing today. Features two-story bay window, laser-cut shingles and a loading dock. Station building alone: 11 x 3-1/2 x 4-1/2" 27.5 x 8.7 x 11.2cm Loading dock adds 5" (12.5cm) to length, 1" (2.5cm) to width.

Springfield Depot -- 5-1/2 x 2-1/4 x 2-1/2" 13.8 x 5.6 x 6.3cm Small towns along your railroad will be very proud to have this depot in their community. With its classic lines, it fits equally well in the steam- or diesel-era, or it could be a restored building in a modern scene. The kit includes laser-cut eave brackets, the traditional operator's bay window, plus laser-cut shake style shingle stripes.

New Freedom Pennsylvania Passenger and Freight Depot -- 13 x 5 x 3-3/4" 32.5 x 12.5 x 9.3cm This charming depot will be a welcome addition in any small town. The HO Scale kit is based on a Pennsylvania design that's equally at home in the steam- or diesel-era and combines both freight and passenger operations under a single roof. The kit includes a three-window operator's bay plus an optional raised passenger and freight loading platform. Measures 13 x 5 x 3-3/4" (32.5 x 12.5 x 9.3 cm).

Santa Fe Style Two-Story Depot -- 11-3/4 x 3-1/4 x 4" 29.3 x 8.1 x 10cm Modernize operations along your line with this depot, based on a Santa Fe prototype. The HO Scale kit was featured on Walthers 1997 HO Catalog cover and incorporates all of the custom features found in kit #801, but in a two-story structure. Accurate Santa Fe style windows and doors are included, along with laser-cut, diamond shaped shingles with scale one inch flats. A great steam- or diesel-era station for the prosperous towns along your railroad.

Northern Pacific Class A Depot -- 10-1/2 x 3 x 3-1/2" This is the HO Scale standard Northern Pacific Class A Combination Depot according to plans used by the railroad between 1889 and 1900. This kit can be modified for a Class B Depot by eliminating the waiting room to the left of the bay window, or a Class C Depot by eliminating the waiting room and narrowing the bay to include only two windows. Includes 100% laser-cut wood with pre-cut door and window openings, windows and doors which assemble in layers with peel and stick backing, delicate laser-cut trim, tab shingle strips with peel and stick backing.

New Haven Wethersfield, CT Depot -- 6-1/4 x 3-1/2 x 3-1/2" 15.6 x 8.7 x 8.7cm Originally constructed as the freight depot in Wethersfield, Connecticut, this building was put into service for passenger use when the original depot burned. Very similar to other New Haven depots, this one is 100% laser-cut wood with tabbed and notched wall and roof pieces, layered window assembly and freight dock. Comes complete with the typical New York show signs in full color.

Burlington (CB&Q) "Wood Tower" (Prototype at Burlington, IA) -- 6 x 1-3/4 x 3-1/2" 15 x 4.3 x 8.7cm Based on a prototype that stood at Burlington, Iowa, from 1892 to 1959, this laser-cut model includes an intricately detailed "L"-shaped staircase.

Roundhouse (Laser-Cut Wood Kit) -- 2-Stall; 12" Long x 8" Wide at Rear x 6" Tall 30 x 20 x 15cm A great addition to any steam-era terminal, many wooden roundhouses survived well into the diesel-era. Each of these new HO Scale kits builds a typical 85' long roundhouse in your choice of 2- (152-170), 4- (152-172) or 6-Stall (152-173) sizes. A Center Stall Add-on kit (152-171) is available separately that allows you to easily expand any of the three Roundhouse kits. All parts are laser-cut for easy assembly and precision fit. Each kit features full interior framing, positionable doors, full open hood smoke jacks, and Peel & Stick windows, doors, and roofing material. Perfect for use with the Walthers 90' Turntable #933-3171, sold separately.

SP Two Story Combination Depot Type 22 Left Hand - Laser-Cut Wood Kit -- 11 x 3-1/2 x 4-1/2" Over 70 two-story combination Type 22 depots were built by the Southern Pacific between 1899 and 1910. They were more common in California, but were also found in Texas, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, and Nevada. A prominent feature of the Type 22 was the two-story high rectangular bay window. A typical Type 22 measured 25 feet wide and was usually 32 feet long or longer. The freight room was built long enough to accommodate the SP's anticipated business at that location and ranged in size from 30 to 84 feet long. Other variations between Type 22 depots also existed such as loading dock size, window and door arrangements, and roof design as well as mirrored floor plans. The kit is 100% laser-cut and utilizes Peel & Stick and Tab & Slot construction. Features include: 3-Tab shingles, loading dock, positionable window sashes, visible rafter details, and accurately shaped brackets. Optional detail parts include alternate front waiting room wall and bay ticket window, and three different chimney styles so you can best match the model to other prototypes. When completed, this model measures a scale 25' wide with a 38'6" long two-story portion and a 42' long freight room; actual size is 11" long x 3-1/2" wide x 4-1/2" high the loading dock adds 5" to the length and 1" to the overall width. A "Right Hand" Type 22 depot can be modeled with kit #152-124 sold separately.

Midwest Farm Combo (Laser-Cut Wood Kits) -- One Each: Country Barn, Two-Story Farmhouse & Sonny's Shack This cost-saving combo includes the Country Barn, the Two-Story Farmhouse, and Sonny's Shack to build a typical Midwestern family farm scene. All three kits feature laser-cut parts and Peel & Stick and Tab & Slot construction. Assembled, the Country Barn measures 7-1/2" long x 5-1/2" wide x 5-3/4" high and includes optional dormers. The Two-Story Farmhouse, with its attached rear kitchen and delicately detailed front porch, measures 4-3/4" long x 4-1/2" wide x 4-1/4" high. Sonny's Shack, outfitted with barn red colored tarpaper exclusive to this set, measures 4-1/2" long x 2-1/2" wide x 1-3/4" long.

Pennsylvania Railroad Standard Coal Trestle - Laser-Cut Wood Kit -- 10 x 2-1/4 x 2" The Pennsylvania issued drawing #59146 in 1907 (and revised it in 1911) for a standard coal unloading trestle. The usual length of the light-duty design was 75', but could be extended if needed. Bents were used to form storage bins below the tracks so hoppers could be quickly unloaded by gravity. This kit features 100% laser-cut components to speed assembly and eliminate the need for jigs -- all the hard work has been done by the laser! Timbers are pre-notched to simplify assembly of bents, stringers and bracing. Laser-scribed boards are provided for the bins beneath the trestle and walkways, which also include delicate handrails. Micro-Engineering Code 70 rail is provided, along with a combination gauge to keep rail and ties properly spaced.

Coldwater Coal Company (Laser-Cut Wood Kit) -- Yard Office w/Truck Scale, Storage Bins, Fencing Trackside Industry for any HO Layout The Coldwater Coal Company from American Model Builders is typical of small community material yards. These small businesses were where customers could purchase coal for home heating as well as gravel and sand. This laser-cut wood kit includes a 24' x 18' yard office with truck scale, several material bins, 120 scale feet of wood fencing, and a coal trestle based on a Pennsylvania Railroad prototype. Like other LASERkit models, the model features peel-and-stick windows and doors, rolled roofing and white metal parts as appropriate. The trestle includes 12 bents, Micro engineering Code 70 rail and laser-cut wood ties. The model can be arranged to fit available space; as shown it measures about 12 x 12".

Union Pacific Standard 24' x 64' Single Story Depot (Laser-Cut Wood Kit) -- 10 x 3-1/2 x 2-1/2" 25.4 x i An Authentic UP Depot This new laser-cut wood kit from American Model Builders will add realism to your layout. Patterned after a standard UP design, this wooden depot is similar to station buildings used across the continent, so it will look great on any layout. The kit features unpainted laser-cut wood parts, peel-and-stick roofing and metal details as appropriate.

Pennsylvania MO Tower (Laser-Cut Wood Kit) -- 5 x 3 x 4-1/2" 12.7 x 7.6 x 11.4cm w/Stairs. Based on MO Tower, the prototype of this kit served the Pennsylvania Railroad at Creston, Pennsylvania, and similar towers were found all along the railroad. In service from 1899 until 1994, arrangements were made to preserve MO, but it collapsed while being moved off railroad property and was sadly demolished in December, 1998. Working from the original 1899 plans as well as photos and sketches, the finished model depicts the tower as it appeared from the 1940s to the end. The kit incorporates Bild-Strate construction so that parts are easily aligned during assembly without using complex templates and wax paper or special jigs. With MO Tower, the freestanding staircase has footer components tabbed into the stock sheet, which are left in place until the stairs, risers, and stair tower are completed. Other authentic details include all of the prototype's gingerbread trim, decorative rafter ends and second floor corbels, plus a resin casting for the two-story-plus tall chimney. The second story is engineered as a sub-assembly to replicate the delicate look of the prototype; each of these window walls" is built in layers with separate glazing and peel & stick sashes, then joined to the first floor. The kit also has knock-outs on the first floor, so that Interlocking Components (sold separately) may be retrofitted to the existing structure if desired.

Pennsylvania Standard Watch Box (Laser-Cut Wood Kit) - pkg(2) -- 1911; 1 x 3/4 x 1-1/2" 2.5 x 1.9 x 3.8cm The Pennsylvania Railroad was the largest railroad by traffic and revenue volumes in the US throughout its 20th-century existence and, at its peak, controlled some 10,000 miles of rail line. As such, the Pennsy became known as the Standard Railroad of the World not only for the standard to which all other railroads could aspire, but standard in its equipment and structure designs as well. These kits are based on PRR standard prototypes that not only are a must for every Pennsy fan's layout, but look right at home on any model railroad dating from the early 1900s through the 1960s. Watch Boxes were placed at grade crossings where no automatic crossing gate existed. From these simple shelters, a railroad employee watched for oncoming trains and halted any road traffic approaching the crossing. While small in size, watch boxes still maintained a PRR identitiy along the line. The revised 1911 design features a board and batten construction and includes Peel & Stick windows, doors, and trim, rolled roofing, exposed rafter tails, white metal smoke jack, and accurate end brackets.

Pennsylvania Standard Watch Box - Kit (Laser-Cut Wood Kit) pkg(2) -- 1879; 1 x 3/4 x 1-1/2" 2.5 x 1.9 x 3.8cm The Pennsylvania Railroad was the largest railroad by traffic and revenue volumes in the US throughout its 20th-century existence and, at its peak, controlled some 10,000 miles of rail line. As such, the Pennsy became known as the Standard Railroad of the World not only for the standard to which all other railroads could aspire, but standard in its equipment and structure designs as well. These kits are based on PRR standard prototypes that not only are a must for every Pennsy fan's layout, but look right at home on any model railroad dating from the early 1900s through the 1960s. Watch Boxes were placed at grade crossings where no automatic crossing gate existed. From these simple shelters, a railroad employee watched for oncoming trains and halted any road traffic approaching the crossing. While small in size, watch boxes still maintained a PRR identitiy along the line. The original 1879 design features vertical siding and includes Peel & Stick windows, doors, and trim, rolled roofing, exposed rafter tails, white metal smoke jack, and accurate side and end brackets.

Lineside Structures(R) Kit -- Single Stall Engine House 22.5 x 12.5 x 10cm The perfect shop to store and service the lone engine of a shortline, or an engine shed for the local switcher in a bigger community. The kit is based on an Illinois Terminal structure and features board and batten siding, plus an extra-long cast metal chimney.

Lineside Structures(R) Kit -- Yard Office 2-1/2 x 1-3/4 x 3" 10 x 4.3 x 7.5cm Keep yard operations moving smoothly from this handsome little building. The Boston & Maine prototype looks great in a small yard, but can also serve as a hotel, boarding house or store across the tracks.

Lineside Structures(R) Kit -- Railroad Rooming House 11-1/2 x 2 x 3" 28.7 x 5 x 7.5cm Just across the street from the terminal, crews can get a full night's rest in the Railroad Rooming House. A common sight in the steam-era, these businesses rented rooms to traveling railroaders taking their rest after their run. Many also had a small restaurant so a crew could get something to eat at any hour of the day or night. This charming two-story design has plenty of space for a rooming house, railroad offices or a restaurant, and it's narrow design means it can easily be built between tracks. The model features clapboard siding with pre-cut window and door openings, along with a uniquely engineered balcony and outside staircase. A pair of cast metal chimneys and six smoke jacks (one for each room) are also included. Measures 11-1/2 x 2 x 3" 28.7 x 5 x 7.5 cm.

Lineside Structures(R) Kit -- A.C. Brown Manufacturing Company 12 x 6-1/4 x 5-1/4" A wonderful factory for your HO Scale layout. 100% laser-cut wood with pre-cut window and door openings, layered peel-and-stick window and door assembly, covered loading dock, outside staircase and a roof with laser-cut water tank, skylights, access hatch with door, smokejacks and chimneys.

Wood Water Supply Tank w/Pump House -- Tank Measures 2.5 x 2 x 6" Pump House Measures 1.75 x 1 x 1.5" The LaserKit Wood Water Tank is a versatile structure that'll be at home supplying water to any small town or business. Kit includes laser-cut tower, tank, platform, ladder, separate pump house, white metal column footers and plastic tubing.

Lineside Structures(R) -- Mittco-Hornkohl Manufacturing Co. 10-1/4 x 5-1/4 x 2-3/4" 25.6 x 13.1 x 6.8cm To this day the fabrication of specialty metal goods is a common industrial practice. A machine shop and foundry such as the Mittco building might be found anywhere from coast to coast manufacturing valves, pipe fittings, fixtures, up to and including entire machines. Kit features simulated metal roofing, twin stacks and full-color signage.