Looking for info on this manufacturer

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Yeah I know that LTS owners are supposed to be all-knowing about all model railroad products, but holy cow it’s hard to keep up with everything these daze. So this is kind of embarrassing, but can someone tell me anything about this manufacturer?

I can’t even remember where I read about this company, but I was interested enough to go to their website. Wanted to stock some of the structures and even buy a couple for the store layout.

Seems like they were located in Louisiana, and I think they made a modern day type of motel complex, like a Super 8 or Motel 6. And also a fast food place, and I seem to remember it was a Taco Bell.

Anyway, that’s all I can remember. Anybody know an address, phone # or website? And have any of you built any of their kits? I remember them looking cool and being reasonably priced and then something came up around here and I lost this particular TRAIN of thought altogether. Any help would be much appreciated!

2

Might try back issues of Model Railroader. This years issues. They had an article a while back. I can’t look for you in that all my back issues have been packed.

Neal

3

You must be talking about these people: http://www.summit-customcuts.com/products/tacobellrestaurant.html

I just typed "ho scale taco bell’ into Google and their site was the first on the list.

I think the company had an ad in MR about the time of Pelle Soeberg’s article on building with milled styrene.

Andre

4

Thanks Andre! Although I do occasionally use Yahoo and Google searches for other areas of interest, I forgot that it might be pretty easy to find this by a Google search.

But yeah, that’s the company! I see that they do sell through hobby shops so I will be e-mailing them soon for the terms. Thanks again for the help.

But hey…if anyone has built one of these kits, I’d still be interested in hearing what you thought of the experience.

7/25 add: e-mailed Summit USA models this morning asking for dealer terms and they responded in 30 minutes! Fast reply.

5

Quite frankly, I was a bit surprised to get an immediate hit. Pleased, but surprised. It looks like Summit might be on to something. These buildings will be great for anyone who models the last 20 years or so. I like the 50’s, so these are a little out of my era. However, when we moved from Denver to So Cal in early 1952, I do remember eating at a Bob’s Big Boy ( http://www.bigboy.com/ ) . They’re still around, so a Summit model of one just might be the ticket to get a toehold into the steam/diesel transition era.

A&W Root Beer stands have been around for a while, too, come to think of it.

And one of those classic red & white Mc Donald’s with the arches through the roof would be great for a mid 50’s to early 60’s layout. http://www.downeyca.org/visitor_mcdonalds.php

Andre