Scale Model Railways Inc., 1941
by Keith Wills M
egow was a name familiar to pre-war HO hobbyists for its inexpensive,
paper-on-wood
freight cars and all-wood railroad structures. Its 1941 catalog catered to a wide variety of hobby interests. One could buy Megow flying and solid wood model planes, as well as Strombecker solid wood planes, boats and train models, powered racing cars and Megow’s line of historic sail and mod- ern steamships. It also carried popular Skyline O and HO-OO lithographed cardboard kits which survived the war and sold an interesting line of ¹/₄″ O scale locomotives and freight cars. Scale Model Railways Inc., of Hunt-
ington, Indiana, was founded in 1929 by John W. Ferris. His small 1930’s cat- alogs showed O scale locomotives in section kits and ready-to-run, several of which were designed by Bill Lenoir. They ranged from a relatively simple PRR B6sb 0-6-0 to a T&P 2-10-4 11-d. Prices were very reasonable for both kit and ready-to-run versions com- pared to similar models of the early 1930’s. Ready-to-run locomotives such as a New York Central 2-8-0, Pennsyl- vania B6sb and Chicago Great Western 2-8-0 G-4 were priced at $75.00, and an Illinois Northern 4-6-0 was $57.50. As the Depression wound down and salaries increased, models such as these became more affordable. Megow’s catalog had more expensive ready-to-run models, from a PRR 4-4-2 E6s priced at $85.00 to the T&P 2-10-4 11-d at $165.00. The line was remark- ably diverse with other roads: IHB, NYC, Erie, Wabash, and Chicago, Min- neapolis & St. Paul. Unlike some early 1930’s manufacturers,
locomotives
were not all Eastern based but Mid- western, as well. Section kit prices made them more accessible, particular- ly since they were made from fine brass castings. Their lower cost made it easier for hobbyists to order each sec- tion as they went along. They came with dummy valve gear, extra cost op- erating Baker valve gear for $50.00, or Walschaerts valve gear at $75.00. Three unseen locomotives were also
available: USRA heavy and light Mika- dos and a C&NW 4-6-2 E-3. They were priced at $90.00 each, complete. The lo- comotive kits were unusual, as they in- cluded two- or three-rail options for the same price. This was unheard of in the pre-war era when outside a.c. third-rail
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cost more. Interestingly, Scale Model Railways Inc. had an EMC rake-nosed B&O EA and B-unit diesel set. Both of these units were powered and were an early entry in O scale diesel modeling. Bodies came with ready-to-run power trucks and cost $135.00 without word of their material, just that they were formed (brass?). A note of interest: Frank Ellison ran the NYC Consolidation eminently visi- ble in his Delta Lines photos. Lenoir
Bill created patterns for CGW,
C&NW and IN locos having been part of his line which he later sold to Scale Model Railways. Judging from Megow catalog photos, they were well detailed
IMAGES FROM THE 1941 MEGOW CATALOG
for the era. Catalog copy referred to them as O gauge, not O scale. The freight car line consisted of two types of wood construction techniques. Regular wood kits had cast end overlays with cast aluminum underframes and pre-decorated wood sides. Roofs had cast details and free standing ones such as ladders, grab irons, stirrup steps, brake wheels, and couplers, much like other 1930’s lines. The trucks were easily as- sembled. There were, however, fully cast car kits, such a five-casting gondola in
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