I’ve just learned that one of the true giants of HO model railroading has passed away. Howell Day’s association with our hobby dates almost from its very beginnings, his original contemporaries being the likes of A.C.Kalmbach, Eric LaNal, Frank Ellison, and Gordon Varney. In the earliest days, and for long thereafter, he produced the Red Ball Line of freight car kits. These were among the most popular kits (early ones were paper-sided) from the 1930’s well into the 1960’s - some are even still being offered today. In recent years Howell donated his complete collection of built-up RB cars to the NMRA Museum.
For many years Howell also ran one of America’s very first MR hobbyshops, the Model Railroad Shop in Dunellen, NJ, a great shop and well known as a source of special CNJ items. Opened in 1933, the store continues in operation to this day.
Keen to how the hobby was evolving, during the 1960’s Howell imported the Red Ball line of brass locomotives and cars. Some of his engines were absolutely unique and had never produced before, nor since, his original runs. Howell Day was an amazing 99 years of age when he passed away. His longevity allowed him to see the entire evolution of our hobby.
Oh sure I remember the Red Ball line of cars, many of which were highly unusual such as the Pennsylvania RR container car. Howell Day always had an eye for the unusual and the unique and in some ways that kept his kits on the market well after the level of detail was outdated. Some of the trucks – by which I mean freight and passenger and steam engine tender wheel trucks – he offered have yet to be offered again, and there is some demand for the unique items at swap meets.
To learn more about this hobby pioneer (he advertised in the first ever issue of Model Railroader, Jan 1934) check out the September 1991 issue of MR, page 98. It shows him with his N scale layout.
By the way just to drop another name of a guy who offered highly unusual kits and materials,. M. Dale Newton comes to mind. I think he originated Red Ball. I was re-reading a Model Railroader from 1954 and M Dale Newton made an unusual challenge – you send him clear photos and data about any old time box car or reefer with fancy lettering, and he’d produce it as a kit!
Dave Nelson
The Model Railroad Shop in Dunellen is a great place! I remember going there with my Dad when I used to live in NJ. Special CNJ items? Would that be the Gingerbread Shop?