ABOUT US

Conowingo Models is situated in the charming town of Conowingo, Maryland, just a stone's throw away from the awe-inspiring Norfolk Southern bridge spanning the Octoraro Creek. This region boasts a wealth of railroad heritage, steeped in history. Once, it was the proud home of the Octoraro Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. This vital branch line was responsible for ferrying raw recruits from Wawa, PA, to the Naval Training base at Bainbridge, while also providing essential services to numerous factories and mills in Oxford, PA, Rising Sun, Colora, New Valley, and Rowlandsville, all before connecting with the former Columbia and Port Deposit Railroad.

Chris Coarse, the owner, is dedicated to crafting distinctive model kits. His focus extends to the often overlooked aspects of buildings, including roofing structures and foundations. While some of our structures are based on real ones, others are purely products of imagination. We take pride in blending historical elements into our creations, infusing a touch of the past into all our products. 

We frequently pay tribute to the time-honored traditions of past generations of model railroaders. As an illustration, each rolling stock kit includes a set of fictional Conowingo Railroad decals, as a way of sharing our imaginary railway with enthusiasts worldwide. This practice echoes the traditions of those who came before us. Another noteworthy example is the Crunge Bridge, which serves as a homage to the legendary John Allen, a mastermind behind the slopeback stock car.

Conowingo Models has broadened its offerings to include wooden rolling stock and doodlebugs, with the aim of introducing more unique pieces for your model railroad. Our rolling stock line is designed with a special purpose in mind: to empower individuals who have never built a railroad car before and instill in them the confidence to complete the project successfully.

Technology plays a pivotal role in our kit production process. We harness the capabilities of a laser cutter and a 3D printer to deliver top-notch products, all while striving to maintain cost-efficiency. To deliver high-quality kits at competitive prices, we integrate components sourced from renowned companies such as Broadway Limited, Kadee, LaBelle Woodworking, Rail-Scale Models, Tichy Train Group and Tomar Industries.

Conowingo kits are intentionally crafted to inspire your creativity. You won't find an abundance of castings  in our kits, as our aim is to stimulate your imagination. We encourage you to delve into your own collection of materials, explore online resources, or even visit your local hobby shop or train show to discover that perfect part for your project. The possibilities are endless, and you never know what hidden gems you might come across!

In 2024, we purchased Sugar Pine Models, which has passed through several owners in the last fifty or so years. Our intention with Sugar Pine is to revive old designs, modernize them using laser cut wood, 3d printed parts and integrate components as mentioned above. We've found that some kits are lacking details, such as windows, etc. so we're addressing that as well. In other words- we want to modernize Sugar Pine kits and make them ours. 

We look forward to meeting you at an upcoming train show! Typically, we make an appearance at the Great Scale Model Train Show in Timonium, MD, whenever Chris's work schedule permits. Furthermore, we are regular attendees at Amherst and have plans to explore additional shows when time, location, and opportunities align. 

Additionally, we have hosted and plan to continue offering educational clinics in the future. 

To stay updated on our latest news and occasional special offers, please visit our "Contact Us" page and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

You can also view our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2lXpPDzCCay4CxJl4kKzZw

For more information, e-mail us at conowingomodels@yahoo.com or visit the website. 

Also, you can find us on Facebook -  http://www.facebook.com/ConowingoModels/ 

There's also an Instagram account  https://www.instagram.com/conowingo_models/