3rd Rail changing of the guard explained

[up148]

Since Scott is trying to reach everyone with his latest email update for his company, I didn't think he'd mind if I posted it here. In a nut shell, he's semi-retired and Jay Escamilla has bought the company on a lease/own arrangement. Jay is young and it sounds like he has great plans for 3rd Rail going forward and with Scott watching his back I think it will be a very good thing for O scale.

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Hi Folks,

I wanted to tell you all what is going on here at Sunset Models in San
Ramon for 2026 and beyond.

We have transferred our model production to Jay Escamilla of Third and
Townsend Models LLC. It's a 5 year lease to own. Our models are produced by
Jay, under the Sunset Models / 3rd Rail / Golden Gate Depot banners.

https://www.thirdandtownsendmodels.com

Jay is an avid SP Modeler and is very familiar with the hobby. I've shown
him the ropes of how to make our models and he's doing this very well. We
travelled to Korea and China together late last year to introduce him to
the factory people and everyone is excited about the new blood in the business.

I started at Sunset Models at age 34, and Jay is just a few years younger.
He is full of energy and new ideas. He's going to make a fresh update of
our product lines. I'm sure you'll be happy going forward.

His skill at Social Media has improved the market breadth of our offerings,
and we are working together to make sure the Quality and the Customer
Service is second to none.

Jay has hired Shani, our secretary to answer the phones and emails, as he
is jammed taking on the various activities of creating these fine scale models.

I, myself, will be handling the ERR electronics business, and providing
services for the 3 Rail electronics. I am not fully retired, just semi at
this point.

Our mailing address is changing to the same address used by Golden Gate Depot.

Sunset Models
231 Market Place PMB 223
San Ramon CA 94583

We have transferred all our parts of the last 50 years to GET3RPARTS.COM.

This business is run by Pat Norcross in NC. Follow the link to his web site
for parts.

https://www.get3rparts.com/

We got rid of the phones, but you can reach me at the same email address as
before.

Everything is going as planned.

I hope you enjoy the new product lines and some reruns that are getting a
lot of interest.

We have some left over SD40-2s, P42 and Chargers in stock. I will be
posting these on our Diesel Sales Page, like I always do in the coming days.

https://www.3rdrail.com/Diesel-SuperSale.html

I wish you all the very best in 2026 and beyond. It's been a pleasure
serving your hobby needs, and look forward to the future.

Best Regards,

Scott Mann
sdmann@3rdrail.com
Your best choice for model trains.

[Pacific Limited]

Jay is a nice fellow. He was very polite to me a year ago.

I hope it all works out; we have been very fortunate having Scotts dynamic duo Sunset/GGD. Lot of wonderful models have been made for us.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Wish them all the best of luck. Not a business that I'd want to get into...

Maybe something I'd want will get offered & done, but I'll not bet on that happening.

[up148]

Checking out the spare parts link the number of models produced is impressive. 3rd Rail is the only importer who has stayed active and solvent. Wishing them the world of luck.