Grand River Models

Grand River Models

Quality structure kits for modelers in S-scale

November 21, 2008

Here's what customers are saying about Grand River Models' kits:

" I have found them to be of the highest quality and detail!!! You should be proud. I know I am for owning them! " - BM

" Thanks for the beautiful kit! I will enjoy figuring out how to use it! It will probably go on a module. " - DD

" ... the detail on Greg's Grocery was well worth the expense and time building it, and I'm looking forward to receiving the MIddleton & Sons Warehouse kit. " - SG

November 07, 2008

Due to problems with the delivery of parts from my suppliers, there are occasional delays in the production of Middleton Warehouse and Transfer. Please allow up to six weeks for delivery. Because of the unpredictable availability of parts, I am unable to promise a particular delivery date on these kits.

October 16, 2008

Today I am announcing that Kit #3, Forest City Welding, will be the last S-scale kit that I will release. The response to the first two kits has not been sufficient enought to justify the time and expense required to design and manufacture them, and I must go where the market is - and that is HO-scale. Greg's Grocery and Middleton Warehouse will be available for now, although I doubt that I will produce as many as I had originally planned.

At the outset, I said that I would give the S-scale project a year to see what the response would be. In that time I've discovered that 1:64 is a great scale to model in. I only wish that there were more modelers in S, instead of so many collectors.

I will announce details of my first HO-scale kit in the new year.

Barry Silverthorn

Grand River Models

May 16, 2008

Middleton & Sons Warehouse

I've been working on kit #2 since the beginning of March. Here's a sneak preview:

Middleton & Sons is a large brick warehouse that can accomodate two boxcars. The kit will include sidewalks, roof-top water tank, forklift, billboard, skylights, covered loading dock, crates, skids, crossbucks, and lots of other details. The doors and windows will be laser-cut in wood, and you can model them open or closed.

The footprint of the kit is about 28" X 28", but it can be worked into a space as narrow as18".

Price is to be announced, and the expected release is late-July, 2008. I also plan to offer a matching boilerhouse and smokestack kit in the fall of 2008.

January 8, 2008

Barry Silverthorn and Greg's Grocery

The test walls for Greg's Grocery came out of the molds during the Christmas holidays. I've been working on the prototype model, and should have photos of the completed diorama by next week.

Greg's Grocery will be the first release from Grand River Models. The kit features cast-resin walls and sidewalks, and includes a chimney, skylight, ventilation ductwork, storefront signs, barber pole, electric meter and downspouts. The stairway, breezeway, crates, skids, park bench, and fencing are laser-cut wood. The laser-cut produce stands feature cast-resin fruit and vegetables. You'll also get details such as boxes, bottles, cans, fire hydrant, garbage pails and cement blocks - over three dozen individual parts in all.

A sheet of printed signs is included, as well as resin lampshades and stripwood for building a wall-mounted billboard. 250 kits will be offered.

Greg's Grocery will be available February 7th, 2008, and can be ordered here.

November 26, 2007

For years, S-scale modelers have had a very limited choice of brick buildings. In many cases, I've seen S-scalers modifying HO-scale structures, trying to "make do" with what is available. The result is that the same dozen-or-so modified HO models show up on everyone's layout. Understandably, most hobby manufacturers are reluctant to invest in complicated tooling to make brick buildings for such a limited market. By experimenting with various techniques for reproducing brick walls, and using cast-resin manufacturing, I've found cost-effective ways to make brick structures in small quantities.

My aim is to offer you a quality product that includes everything you'll need to create a complete scene. Detail parts are custom-made for these models, and are not available anywhere else. And each release is limited to a certain number of kits; once they're sold out, they're gone forever.

I'm proud to say that I make an effort to create my kits in a sustainable manner. Almost all of the manufacturing is done within 200 miles of my workbench. I try to incorporate recycled materials whenever possible. For example, the packing in the kits is foam that was destined for landfill. Any cardstock that is used is also recycled. As far as the big picture is concerned, it's not going to make a huge difference, but in an age of resource scarcity I believe that we have to change our thinking about how we do everything.

I plan to have photos of Greg's Grocery posted in mid-December, and I'll be able to take orders shortly after that.

Barry Silverthorn

Grand River Models


	November 21, 2008

	Here's what customers are saying about Grand River Models' kits:

		" I have found them to be of the highest quality and detail!!! You should be proud. I know I am for owning them! " - BM

		" Thanks for the beautiful kit! I will enjoy figuring out how to use it! It will probably go on a module. " - DD

		" ... the detail on Greg's Grocery was well worth the expense and time building it, and I'm looking forward to receiving the MIddleton & Sons Warehouse kit. " - SG


	November 07, 2008

	Due to problems with the delivery of parts from my suppliers, there are occasional delays in the production of Middleton Warehouse and Transfer. Please allow up to six weeks for delivery. Because of the unpredictable availability of parts, I am unable to promise a particular delivery date on these kits.


	October 16, 2008

	Today I am announcing that Kit #3, Forest City Welding, will be the last S-scale kit that I will release. The response to the first two kits has not been sufficient enought to justify the time and expense required to design and manufacture them, and I must go where the market is - and that is HO-scale. Greg's Grocery and Middleton Warehouse will be available for now, although I doubt that I will produce as many as I had originally planned. At the outset, I said that I would give the S-scale project a year to see what the response would be. In that time I've discovered that 1:64 is a great scale to model in. I only wish that there were more modelers in S, instead of so many collectors. I will announce details of my first HO-scale kit in the new year.

			Barry Silverthorn
			Grand River Models


	May 16, 2008

		I've been working on kit #2 since the beginning of March. Here's a sneak preview: Middleton & Sons is a large brick warehouse that can accomodate two boxcars. The kit will include sidewalks, roof-top water tank, forklift, billboard, skylights, covered loading dock, crates, skids, crossbucks, and lots of other details. The doors and windows will be laser-cut in wood, and you can model them open or closed. The footprint of the kit is about 28" X 28", but it can be worked into a space as narrow as18". Price is to be announced, and the expected release is late-July, 2008. I also plan to offer a matching boilerhouse and smokestack kit in the fall of 2008.


	January 8, 2008

		The test walls for Greg's Grocery came out of the molds during the Christmas holidays. I've been working on the prototype model, and should have photos of the completed diorama by next week. Greg's Grocery will be the first release from Grand River Models. The kit features cast-resin walls and sidewalks, and includes a chimney, skylight, ventilation ductwork, storefront signs, barber pole, electric meter and downspouts. The stairway, breezeway, crates, skids, park bench, and fencing are laser-cut wood. The laser-cut produce stands feature cast-resin fruit and vegetables. You'll also get details such as boxes, bottles, cans, fire hydrant, garbage pails and cement blocks - over three dozen individual parts in all. A sheet of printed signs is included, as well as resin lampshades and stripwood for building a wall-mounted billboard. 250 kits will be offered. Greg's Grocery will be available February 7th, 2008, and can be ordered here.


	November 26, 2007

	For years, S-scale modelers have had a very limited choice of brick buildings. In many cases, I've seen S-scalers modifying HO-scale structures, trying to "make do" with what is available. The result is that the same dozen-or-so modified HO models show up on everyone's layout. Understandably, most hobby manufacturers are reluctant to invest in complicated tooling to make brick buildings for such a limited market. By experimenting with various techniques for reproducing brick walls, and using cast-resin manufacturing, I've found cost-effective ways to make brick structures in small quantities. My aim is to offer you a quality product that includes everything you'll need to create a complete scene. Detail parts are custom-made for these models, and are not available anywhere else. And each release is limited to a certain number of kits; once they're sold out, they're gone forever. I'm proud to say that I make an effort to create my kits in a sustainable manner. Almost all of the manufacturing is done within 200 miles of my workbench. I try to incorporate recycled materials whenever possible. For example, the packing in the kits is foam that was destined for landfill. Any cardstock that is used is also recycled. As far as the big picture is concerned, it's not going to make a huge difference, but in an age of resource scarcity I believe that we have to change our thinking about how we do everything. I plan to have photos of Greg's Grocery posted in mid-December, and I'll be able to take orders shortly after that.

			Barry Silverthorn
			Grand River Models