Micro-Trains Factory Tour

Tour of our Talent, Oregon USA manufacturing facility of N and Z Scale model trains.
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[@robertheroux2402]

Great to see a manufacturer produce a great product in the U.S.A

[@kristifounds7562]

Well, that brought back a LOT of memories. I worked for Keith and Dale for 3 years before college, every spare day during my 5 years in college, and for 2 years after. From 1976 to 1986. I did a lot of the assembly jobs shown along with working in the printing department. They were pretty tough bosses, but I always liked them. Obviously that was when they were at the Medford location, a lot smaller operation.

[@Iconoclasher]

Amazing video! I'm a retired toolmaker & machinist and I would have been proud to have worked for this company. This should be required viewing for everyone to show how an American company can have a modest workforce and enough automation to keep the job easy and moving and still build a quality product. Politicians could even learn from this. Keeping states "business friendly". KayDee was my go to choice back in the 70s when I was into HO railroading.

[@douglasskaalrud6865]

James S. I’m always interested to know what people’s versions of “business friendly” are. Perhaps you’d like to share yours?

[@humclarge]

It's really nice to see a business passed on and maintained with pride and enthusiasm.We're losing them at an alarming rate.The cool thing about these scales is you don't have to take up your living room,hall closets and wifes sewing romm to expand as you would with H O or other scales.Thank you to our host for the tour!

[@ryankc3631]

Amazing! I'm not a model train guy. Here by chance. But, this is an incredible American business story and a very well produced video!

[@Key-wg6dn]

It’s an outsider

[@antonbruce1241]

Well, NOW I have a GOOD reason to visit Oregon!!! Talent, Oregon - here I come (once the stay at home order is done)

[@xray606]

This is great. I love that so much of the work is done in house. This is what America used to be about. It's good that hobbyists can see this, and realize how much time effort and money, goes into this stuff.

[@walterfink9782]

I started buying from Kadee, then when N scale went to Micro-Trains. After watching this video, I now understand how you get the detail you get. The rolling stock I bought in the late 80's to very early 90's looks wonderful now, and I understand you have improved your process many times since then. I thank you for a wonderful product.

[@josephdesenclos2769]

I have many N scale Micro-Trains and they are very reliable, detailed and very well built.

[@NHseacoast]

I've been a Micro Trains buyer since 1973-74 when my Dad bought me my 1st micro trains cars. The detail is Excellent, the best N scale trains.

[@MilePost106]

Thank you for keeping your product American made!!! I’m a big supporter for your products and will continue buying American made! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@greathorton]

Greg yes, must keep proudly made in USA. All technic knowhow would be taken if move the manufacturing process to China.

[@Mike-pj1kv]

Wish I could work for a model railroad company. 😎. This video is done really well. The CEO is a good narrator.

[@istvan-spur-n]

What a great amazing video. Thank you so much. Much greetings from Zurich Switzerland

[@eukaryon]

incredible amount of painstaking manual work. Truly a labor of love.

[@mariebcfhs9491]

I love how much attention they give for even the smallest details

[@kishascape]

@pete w No one cares about that. Only the trains.

[@jungojerry1658]

Having spent a career in plastic molding, I went to this factory once to apply for a job. Never got hired, but I got a nice tour of the injection molding dept.

[@MilePost106]

Please keep your company made in America!!! All my railcar are Micro Trains!!!

[@FailedSquare]

This video is really eye opening. Its easy to forget just how much work goes into making these.

[@riogrande5761]

I bought my first Micro-trains in the ealry 80's and was amazed at the detail that rivaled HO trains at the time. For example, I had a Micro-Trains caboose and you could actually see through the chain links on the ends of the caboose. You could see though the smoke jack on the roof. And you could read the tiny lettering which required good eyesight or a magnifier! HO has only caught up in recent years! I've been in HO for the past 30+ years but getting back into N as my wife has shown interest. I understand more freight cars are being made with body mounted couplers which is good news. Amazing stuff Micro-Trains!

[@samhunt9380]

American made too. Thats a bonus....Good stuff!!!

[@michelj.gaudet5048]

WOW! I got hooked on HO scale way back in the late 60s, but all I ever realized was a flat 4X8 sheet of plywood, and everything was mostly just laid on it, and not much scenicing done, mostly just the plastic things bought off the hobby-shop racks. Because of my knowledge only of HO and the O scale, my mind is just sort of 'set' towards the HO as being the best for MY needs. I recall when the N scale hit, most didn't like the lack of FINE detail for the buildings and the rolling stock. Then here comes the Z scale, with locos fitting in walnut shells!!! Any who, I will never forget my first experience with your HO Kadee couplers... I was REALLY HOOKED regarding making my rolling stock look as photo realistic as my hands could achieve. My 'expertise' was electronics, and I got SO excited building the PULSE controllers that could create a scale ONE MILE PER HOUR with NO stutter_ VERY proud of that. I ended-up letting others have my designed circuits, and really screwed my self by not doing the patent thing, but thems-da-breaks... 😱 lol Thank you for all you do for the hobby. I am SO PROUD that you are still doing your thing here in the states. I imagine you might be getting some of the base materials elsewhere, but at least the impression is that all assembly is right here. As a 65+ years "Old-fart", I am mostly just someone who enjoys watching videos of a ton of different activities, and model railroading is one. I do the actual BUILDING and RUNNING of trains by way of my much loved simulators, my absolute fave being the 'Trainz' sims. Again, thank you for what you do. Michel J. Gaudet_ aka "Old-fart"

[@amsgone]

I have been collecting MicroTrains since their introduction and will continue to collect for the foreseeable future. Great models, impeccable quality, and superior detailed matched by none. Glad to see the factory and see the faces behind the products. On a personal note, American women should be proud to see how many women are involved in the design and production of an "old boy toy".

[@robbkardas3641]

The weathered paint schemes are the best in the entire model train industry.😁

[@richardealden2323]

Fantastic video .. my only hope is .. watching this in 2020 .. that you still do everything in house and in USA .

[@cowsagainstcapitalism347]

2023 still Talent made

[@tanzj]

Just found it on KZbin. As an N-scale modeler, I really enjoyed the tour. I have lots of your products on my layout. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@vintage31]

Really fascinating! As technically complex as the process is, the Tour held my interest for the whole 16+ minutes. Thanks!

[@trainmcp1138]

Just got into N-scale about 2 years ago and have added a few of your products. Nice to see how the product is made. I am still an HO modeler for over 30 years and now my son has been bitten by the bug.

[@tomweber8729]

Very impressive operation ! Well done everyone who is employed there .

[@coltsblue1864]

I am new to N scale... And don't have a track setup yet! But I have bought about a dozen rolling stock and 7 out of that 12 are Micro-Trains! I have taken all of them out and looked them over for detail and quality! And you can definitely tell they are well detailed and of great quality! I'll definitely be a future buyer of Micro-Trains products!

[@cajunroadwarrior]

So happy to see something made in America for once.

[@markhayes6407]

Thank you for all your hard work. Without micro trains line the hobby would not be the same for me. Only your coupler is the one and only best. There are imitations out there but just that. Keep up the good work. Thanks so much.

[@larryhealey6827]

They make the best N scale cars. I have some that are 50 years old and they still look and run like new.

[@cavallierbus7337]

WE MUST SPONSOR THE STRIVING OF MICRO-TRAINS TEAM BY BUYING THEIR PRODUCTS.

[@FierroDuroRails]

I already do

[@rvs8425]

@@FierroDuroRails Thriving

[@albrough]

Thank you for sharing the behind-the-scenes footage of how you produce your product, it is a great way to see what goes into the process of your great product

[@trainroomgary]

Thanks for the tour. Like the history, production processes and final products. Very cool. • Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway 🚂

[@kgee2111]

Micro-Trains is the Cadillac of N scale!

[@kishascape]

What about Z scale though?

[@SKF358]

Micro-trains is an amazing enterprise.

[@ke4nyv]

This was incredible to watch! Thank you for putting this together. Hoping to tour the facility some day.

[@robh1908]

Thank you for keeping your factory here instead of in China.

[@joedolceland]

Rob H so you pay more

[@MotownModels]

Joe Giovanetti It doesn't seem like Micro-Trains products are that much more than any others

[@genedameier8746]

@@joedolceland , You get what you pay for.

[@miksal26]

Rob H Cheers Rob, the same applies to Ausrralia,believe me ! Stay healthy and wash your hands. 👍

[@Nigel2Zoom]

@@joedolceland Quality products versus mass produced junk, and employees that are paid a living wage. I don't mind paying a bit more. Just sayin'.

[@firstlast5862]

Gratifying to see something like this being built in America.

[@toodabutt70]

Thanks for making this video. I LOVE my Micro-Train models. The quality and beauty are unsurpassed! I am a Southern Pacific fan. (N scale)

[@Sonny15-215]

Thanks for the tour,every worker is a dedicated artist painstakingly doing their job,another reason to value your products.Keep it up! 👍🏻

[@philrabe910]

The Kadee coupler was famous when I was a kid breaking in to model railroading!

[@Tcostello105]

I really enjoyed this video! Cant wait to buy some micro line trains!

[@user-uv4xe3cq2y]

Fantastic video, history, factory tour, final product, work ethic. Thanks for sharing.

[@leithsquires1846]

Here in canada I love you guys because you make quality products and as a model train lover, I would definitely buy american in comparison to cheap garbage pushed by china, malaysia, etc.

[@zenzaleni]

Thank you for the chance to see your production set up, it certainly opens one's eyes to how dedicated to precision your company makes the miniature models that operate usually flawlessly in a model environment depicting their prototypes.. Cheers

[@toodabutt70]

This is awesome! No wonder I love my Micro-Train models so much!

[@awizardalso]

I'm an HO scale train modeler. I do love the Kadee couplers. I also like to build structure models from bass and balsa woods, tunnel portals and rock walls from plaster casts. I also do electronic things and I made a TAT-5 (true action throttle) from a Model Railroader magazine I think was from a June 1988 edition. Unfortunately, all the new electronic trains using DCC has made buying things out of my budget so I'm stuck using the old plain DC trains.

[@Tinsby]

Very impressive operation, its amazing how much hand work goes into each car. I have no experience with Z scale so this was a wonderful introduction to me. Thank you all and good luck!

[@dougmckay9524]

that was a truly unique tour rely injoying the whole process of this great hobby

[@ronaldpellet854]

That was fun great shop great employees great product !!!thank you!

[@westernstatesrailroading]

Glad to see Micro-Trains efficiently competing with off-shore manufacturing.

[@kenstevens5065]

Well said but here in the UK with only a few exceptions nearly everything we buy appears to be made overseas. We are turning into an unhappy divided nation where many young and working people of all ages can't afford somewhere to live, eat properly or heat their homes but we now produce less than 1% of world carbon dioxide! This video proves even small companies can manufacture excellent quality at home. Enterprise, the key to prosperity for all. God bless America.

[@westernstatesrailroading]

@@kenstevens5065 PECO is manufactured in the UK. . .

[@Tshasta4449]

Great informative video, love the quality of your product and is definitely the primary rolling stock in my collection. Many thanks for your continued dedication and hard work.

[@washburnb1]

Great video. N Scale has come so far and you raised the bar..

[@royvanwechel9673]

Thank you for made in America

[@tk00903]

I have many of your cars, they are fantastic, thank you for your hard work and keeping the details true to life.

[@bill45colt]

WOWEEE what a great video,,,,,i never knew what it took to do such great products!! Thanks,,,ill be purchasing more,,,,MICRO!!

[@steveblauvelt6312]

Thank you for keeping your company in whole in the USA, unlike Scale Trains.com. They argue that they do manufacturing in China to save the consumer money,and DO HAVE 16 employees in two offices in Cal. and Tenn. Wop De Do!!!

[@MotownModels]

Steve Blauvelt I think the main difference between a company like Micro-Trains and Scaletrains is that the Scaletrains models require so much more assembly time by seasoned employees. A locomotive from Micro-Trains might have a part count of 50 while Scaletrains (and Rapido, and InterMountain, etc) have locomotives with 200+ individual components. We all know parts themselves are cheap, but man hours are what truly cost the most, and that's where the US is so much more expensive than most other countries. The factories in China also have a very specialized work force that have been building model trains for decades now. And it's not like it's a greed thing, as I think we can all agree nobody is getting rich in the model train industry. It would be great to make models here but I fear models would cost beyond what most customers' wallets could handle. Hopefully a company tries it here in the US and succeeds, but there's probably a reason beyond "corporate greed" as to why it's not happening.

[@LRSX]

Exact rail is the same, and they charge more then micro trains. Us modelers need to stop buying china!!!!

[@ScottJohnson4449]

From a fellow Oregonian, thank you! I just got your SW1500 spare parts kit. Awesome! I got two of your Southern heavyweight cars last year and they are sweet!

[@modelrailroader5619]

They have a great reputation, deservedly so. Keep up the good work!

[@rewatkargaurav3787]

Very interesting. So many details are added to the models. Great 😁

[@shockingguy]

Very cool video always a pleasure to see how things are made and created.

[@Trainmaster909]

I love my micro-trains couplers.. I equip them on all my freight and passanger cars. but now i know how they came to be so good!

[@ExploreAmerica]

Very impressed wow. I’d love to visit

[@richfiles]

Man, this makes me nostalgic, and slightly sad. When I was a kid, I found an N scale train set for $7 at a flea market. I'd had HO, but it's SO BIG! I loved N scale from the second I saw it. I built two small 2x4 foot layout sections, and then started going to town building replicas of houses I've lived in, and notable local buildings I knew. Loved it. Sadly, in my moves, the layouts have disappeared, though thankfully, I still have all my buildings and pretty much all vehicles I customized. I could start over someday. Also... Got Duck? :D

[@samiam619]

richfiles π Yeah, I saw Got Duck too!

[@MrRusty-fm4gb]

Someday? How about today?

[@richfiles]

@@MrRusty-fm4gb combination of living in a small apartment, and having other current projects. I'd really rather get moved into a proper house again before starting a large project like a layout. I have lots of ideas, and using a full space interests me. One idea is to have a U shaped wall where the lighting is suited to mimic a night scene. I want to take things a step further, and model the scene just after a rain, so I can use the glossiness of the wet look to add more light reflectivity into the scene. Something like that requires that I build walls to block off surrounding light. Not something I can really do easily in an apartment. My current project is building an instrument panel for the game Kerbal Space Program. It's a complex project, but far more compact than a layout, so for the time being, far more suited to apartment living. I also can still do small dioramas, as well as build up a rolling stock and locomotive collection. Painting and decals are another easy task in a small apartment.

[@tbarber1027]

Excellent video coverage of one of the FEW manufacturing companies left in America! Thank you for sharing! :-)

[@timf2279]

No kidding. I would rather pay more for made in the USA. China has horrible quality.

[@panapeters1371]

Outstanding!

[@JamesSmith-op7yc]

I really appreciate the scale. Want to get some 027 track & Engines, Cars, the whole smash? (in boxes) Real live 1965. Fun, but Big. What you're doing is awesome! Thanks for sharing, James.

[@geomodelrailroader]

Microtrains The Kings of N Scale

[@SouthRails]

No KATO is

[@felixcat9318]

What an excellent insight into this fascinating process to produce top quality miniature trains, carriages and accessories. The technical expertise required to produce such detailed replica, miniaturised trains is unequalled. These people are right to be proud of their high standards and superb miniatures.

[@gregnotbusch2987]

I won’t complain about how expensive they are anymore after seeing this

[@satyanpatel6403]

I was about to say the same thing.

[@ka5kla]

Thank you so much for this video it is a very great tour

[@AaronHahnStudios]

LOL, 3:04 in. The dots for Australia are just randomly placed dots. At least half of those dots are in the middle of the dessert and NO One is out there. That aside this is a fantastic and appreciated upload.

[@AlDavis-oo4jj]

Down right amazing. Thanks a lot.

[@tonyromano6220]

So impressive!

[@mrjsanchez1]

Great products, they were smart to keep production in the USA, all the brands that moved to China are having serious supply issues, especially with one of the main Chinese factories recently being shut down, maybe Micro-trains can do contract work for those who moved to China and have no means to produce products on their own.

[@berniecahane5320]

Mass production master craftsmanship! This is cryogenic (super cool),

[@suelinerr]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@paulbuckles5353]

Great video. It's impressive how much of production you do in-house.

[@randallbyrd1973]

This is amazing thanks for the video

[@christopherorourke6543]

Great & very informative video. I am an N scale model railroaders, I have 8 Micro Trains freight cars that I have purchased from Obie’s Trains in Apache Junction which is the very best model train store in all of Arizona. In he future I will be buying metal wheels for the freight cars & more Micro Trains N scale freight cars as I’m gradually building my N scale freight for my N scale model railroad which is the Pacific West Coast.

[@colinmansell3524]

What a great inspiring video to watch. I haven't begun buying my models for my layout. My problem is trying to find them as it is a rather obscure railroad. I look forward to further videos in your series Rob.

[@di77me]

This was amazing. good video.

[@clodwolf]

Now, I want one!

[@techstacker7218]

Great video!!!!

[@thejerseyj9422]

Great video, well presented.

[@g.w.7893]

The MTL line of weathered and graffitied cars is outstanding.

[@BrassLock]

Hi *Micro Trains,* I live in S. E. Asia and checked out the location of my nearest dealers in Australia. Luckily, the map showed exactly where I should head out for those *Red Dot Dealers,* in Western Australia, Northern Territory and South Australia. Well, I hired a 4WD camper and fuelled up with extra goodies just in case. Off I drove into the great _Tanami Desert,_ then the _Simpson Desert,_ then the huge expanse of the _Nullabor Plain._ You know what? There's NOTHING OUT THERE except sand dunes, meteorites, brown pebbles and snakes! *No Dealers* at the GPS-located Red Dots! In desperation I asked a wandering Japanese cyclist on his once in a lifetime, dream expedition to Ayre's Rock, if he knew where the Micro Trains Dealership for South Australia was, and he said, (in his well rehearsed Aussie accent), "Strewth Mate, I checked out every black stump between here and Arnhem Land, and I'm buggered if I know".

[@NathanChisholm041]

Thats what i thought! Since when have we had capital cities in central Australia?

[@merrymanrc]

WOW lot's of time and work go in to those train'' they look awesome great job.👍

[@OpenRoader]

The dream machines of N and Z

[@dayarao1555]

amazing...good tour.

[@alexpaar2708]

What a good job 👍, my respect. A lot work

[@izenguarr5236]

Oregon rocks!

[@Tuckaway]

Wow I'm very impressed by this manufacturing operation.

[@allenhanford]

Looks like a nice place to work. I used to work in the American office of Bachmann. It was a craphole.

[@davidbrinkmoeller8465]

Great video.

[@ersanakyurekli]

Excellent..! Thumbs up...

[@pieroluciano3272]

Love MTL! If it wasn't for them and Kato, I would have stuck with HO and had a much smaller layout! 👍😎

[@jafo766]

Love those GRAFFITI CAR'$ , keep'em coming !

[@tbarber1027]

Models of graffiti cars are not good because they glorify and publicize and UGLY crime.