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In memoriam: Keith Edwards, founder of Micro-Trains Line Co.
my heart and prayers go out to keith and all of the edwards family. keith was truely a break through pioneer to the model railroading industry. his products leaves no limit to the imagination one can achieve in the worlds greatest hobby. i use his products in all my modeling works. thanks keith for adding your all to the ever expanding world of model railroading indeed the worlds GREATEST hobby.
Keith Edwards and Kadee/Micro Trains made me relaize that n scale could be a “real scale” and not just niche toy novelty part of the hobby. There efforts to make stuff in the U.S.A. were and are comendable.
They changed N scale from toys to scale models equal to larger scales.
I enjoy using his classic products the Kadee Couplers that have made the cars on my model railroad a whole lot better with this great product. Mr. Edwards will sure be missed by all who knew him well in the model railroading world. I give my condolences to his family and to the Microtrains, Corportation he helped create. He will sure be missed by everyone.
Everytime I look at one of my old Varney cars with Mantua loop couplers, I think of Kadee and Microtrains. This company was really remarkable, pioneering outfit that changed the hobby.
Met him and his brother in the glory days of Kadee and remember them both as really nice guys. To a teenager. Me.
The tradition of building in the USA have been an inspiration to so many of us. God’s speed. R.I.P.
It is sad to read about the loss of yet another great pioneer in the model railroad brotherhood. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones. His contributions to the world of model railroading are great, and the Kadee Coupler is responsible for allowing prototypical action on our model railroads. He will be missed.
To me, realism is my number 1 priority. Without realism, you can’t create “atmosphere” which gives life to our model worlds. The best of the best will always be the Gorrie and Daphetid. Gosh, it has been 39 years since we lost both the G&D and its builder. If only John Allen had given up those Baker couplers for Kadees. Had he done so, the G&D would have been perfect.
I have been modeling N scale for 50 years and could not separate my passion for the hobby from the word Kadee. Kadee/Micro-train products have been for me the benchmark from which to measure quality and commitment in the hobby. An American product thoroughbred without a global comparison. Mr. Edwards will be profoundly remembered by me every time I turn on the transformer and watch my little reality chug along… Thank you Mr. Edwards…
A pioneer like Keith Edwards was one of the best things that could have happened to our hobby. Those that experienced the almost realistic operation of K-D couplers, realized that better things from MIcro-Trains and K-D was coming. His creativeness to the hobby will survive for a long time.
Borh Keith and his brother set standards of quality which is refreshing in today’s world. Many can remember the first Kadee couplers they purchased and replaced the horn-hook supplied with the kits we bought. I woud unhesitatingly say the HO scale coupler and the development of N scale have to be considered as breakthrough products which have impacted our hobby far greater than one probably could ever imagine.
Back in the 1950s when I was in seventh grade my friend and I had to decide on an automatic coupler. He chose KADEE and I chose that “NMRA” hornhook coupler. I don’t think I have to tell you who made the right choice. I eventually converted to the KADEES. They were not magnetic at the time and the “diamond” uncoupling devices were difficult to install, so my friend and I devised a “manual” uncoupling system. We attached a piece of black thread from the coupler head to the corner of the freight car and used a wire hook to uncouple cars. We both wrote to KADEE with suggestions and questions and they always responded quickly and nicely. They were and still are a nice company to deal with.
Even when Kadee held the patents for the couplers, they always sold for a fair price. When my two sons came along they never had a problem affording the cost to upgrade their rolling stock with allowance and odd-job money. Quality? I’ve purchased hundreds of couplers and wheels and never had a defective part. My deepest sympathies to Keith’s family and friends.
How did we ever get along before Micro Trains and Kadee couplers?RIP Mr. Edwards
Wish the family the best at this time of loss. The Hoby World will greatly miss Mister Edwards.
For quality, reliability, and value, KADEE products have been and continue to be the standard in the model train world. Much of the credit for that goes to Mr. Edwards. Thanks to him and his family for everything he contributed to the hobby.
Thank You.
To Mr. Edward’s Family and Friends
My sincere prayers and deepest sympathy go out to you at this time of sadness and loss. His loss leaves a large hole in the Model Railroad hobby family. He was truly a great man, an honored pioneer and we and our hobby are so much richer due to all he has done over the years. We are also honored by his dedication to keep everything “Made in the USA”. As a Medford Senior High (Black Tornado) graduate I feel doubly attached to Mr. Edwards, his brother and their wonderful companies. God Bless and Keep.
Defifnately a loss to model railroading in general, and to N scale and HOn3 modelers in particular. The Micro Trains line he founded is the criteria for N scale equipment.