Does anyone have any information on the Roller Bearing Models company? Like their history, etc. Much appreciated.
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Welcome to the Forum.
Your question piqued my curiosity so I had a look through the 75-year Model Railroader Collection.
Thie following is just the advertising history of the Roller Bearing Model Co, of Livingston, New Jersey in the Model Railroader magazine.
Started regular monthly advertising March 73 until February 76 then every second month until Jan 77, a hiccup (?) then April, May, and June 77, the June 77 being the last ad.
The majority of their ads were small, the first ad being for a 65-foot undecorated gondola kit, less the trucks and couplers.
By March 74, Roller Bear Models were advertising a 60’ Trailer Train Flats, 50’ Panther Creek Airside Hopper, the gondola kit and plastic coal loads for Athearn twin and quad hoppers.
In Dec 76, coal loads for Lionel twin hoppers, new and old; and coal and Gravel loads for Roundhouse HO scale triple hoppers were introduced.
Their kits appear to have plastic, wood, and cast metal parts, without trucks, and couplers.
The first larger ad was in the August 76 Model Railroader, (I’ve taken the liberty of cutting it in half for better clarity.
Roller Bearing Model Aug 76 by Bear, on Flickr
This second ad is in the May 77 MR.
Hope this helps,
Cheers, the Bear. 
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What got me interested in this manufacturer was the Railbox Boxcar, which was introduced in the 2nd Q 2017 issue of HO Collector magazine. I was surprised to learn that the main structures were made of resin castings. It was unfortunate that they overlapped with MDC-Roundhouse.
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I was sent three RBM models from an ebay seller by mistake. I had never heard of this company before. That’s what piqued my interest. Thanks for all the research! I’m still curious as to who was behind this particular modeling manufacturer and what they were trying to accomplish. It appears they were trying to offer a more detailed, upscale option for serious modelers. Thoughts?
Welcome aboard, @Waltsworkshop
This is only my opinion though its basis is my observations over a number of years.
There are individual modellers who want a particular model of a prototype item that is not commercially available. They also may want a number of the particular model so decide to set up a process to “mass produce” them, instead of hoping that a “major manufacturer” will make them one day.
Their process is successful and then the decision is made to offer the model to the model railroading public. This is met with varying commercial success but there is not enough profit to be made to allow the originator to give up their day job. This, what other manufacturers may decide to offer, and other changes to their lifestyle, contributes to the longevity of their Model Railroad Co.
Just my thoughts.
Cheers, the Bear.
P.S. I admire them for trying.
I agree. My question was just born out of curiosity. Hats off to those who work to improve the hobby through their sacrifice and efforts. 3D Printing has definitely added an element of uniqueness to the hobby and providing those one-of-a kind items that are not mass produced. Kudos!
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