Step into a model railroad enthusiast’s dream at Koda's Cross-Tracks, where the world of miniature railroads comes to life! This model railroad shop offers a wide range of model trains and accessories, catering to both seasoned collectors and newcomers alike. Whether you're looking to buy a classic locomotive, sell a rare piece from your collection, or customize your setup with innovative 3D printed accessories, Koda's Cross-Track has you covered. Their expert staff is passionate about every scale and era, ensuring that customers find the perfect addition to their layouts. With a dedication to craftsmanship and innovation, they’re revolutionizing the hobby, one track at a time!
The year 1980 marked the beginning of a truly special model train adventure with my dad. Our garage’s old ping-pong table became the foundation for an impressive 4x8 HO scale layout, a nightly ritual we cherished for six wonderful months. I can still vividly recall the simple joy of laying track and meticulously crafting that ramp. This shared endeavor wasn't just about model trains; it was about the deeper bond we formed, and I deeply admired his commitment, coming home from his Air Force work to indulge in our shared passion. I’d spend countless hours simply watching the trains circle, mesmerized. Yet, as childhood faded, so too did my immediate fascination; I thought I’d simply outgrown them.
Years later, a poignant discovery unfolded while helping my dad prepare for a move after my mom’s passing. My wife and I were astonished to unearth two boxes holding those very same engines and cars. Then, in 2016, following 27 years of Coast Guard service, that dormant hobby unexpectedly surged back to life. I built a couple of large layouts, though circumstances led to their eventual dismantling. What truly captivated me wasn't just the running of trains, but the intricate process of design and setup itself, including creating 3D printed accessories for my layouts.
The pandemic introduced an exciting new chapter: affordable 3D printers, a technology I’d previously dismissed as impossibly expensive. While my affection for model trains remains, my true creative fire now burns with 3D printing. Every single product I create is my own design, born from scratch. There's an immense thrill in bringing an idea to life, watching it materialize layer by layer. Observing the hefty price tags from larger companies, I realized I could offer equally high-quality model railroad shop items at a significantly more accessible cost.
My greatest hope is to one day pass on this wonderful hobby to my own grandson or granddaughter, just as my dad so generously shared it with me. Thank you, Dad.
My very first foray into model railroading was fairly typical for a kid in the late 1960s. Around age six or eight, I inherited an old Lionel set from a cousin, a set I still own and that still runs perfectly. That was the initial spark. However, it was a modest AHM freight set I received as a teenager that truly ignited my passion for scale model railroading. I remember that Scotties fifty-foot boxcar and how I'd run that little Santa Fe Plymouth switcher in a continuous circle until its motor finally gave out. I regret not keeping the switcher, but the Scotties boxcar remains a cherished souvenir. Soon after, I stumbled upon Model Railroader magazine, which led me to an ad for the local Crescent City Model Railroad Club. Around March 1980, I joined, becoming quite active for a few years and even building a small layout with a friend. Life, as it does, occasionally pulled me away from the hobby throughout the '80s and '90s, though I'd dip in and out, never quite fully recommitting.
The profound return came in December 2012, during a trip to Pittsburgh for my wife’s cousin’s wedding. A side visit to the Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum in Gibsonia proved pivotal. I bought a Bowser kit of their home road, the Mon-Valley System, and assembling that hopper car kit when we got home was the absolute turning point. The model railroading bug bit me harder than ever before. All my old train gear, long packed away, suddenly reappeared. My wife even helped me build a delightful, small layout in a spare bedroom. It wasn't huge, but it brought us immense joy.
Inspired by this revival, I felt compelled to reconnect with the local model railroad community. I rejoined the club after many years away, determined to contribute and help improve it. This led to serving two terms as club president, then two as vice-president. My involvement didn't stop there; I subsequently served four years as the NMRA Division Director for the Bayou Division of the Lone Star Region. Over these years, I found myself accumulating a considerable amount of extra model railroading items, both new and used, including various 3D printed accessories. This naturally evolved into participating in local and regional train shows as a vendor, and actively acquiring more collections for resale.
It's funny how things align.
A chance meeting with Rick at a train show in Gulfport, MS, years ago, held no hint that we'd eventually go into business together. After my move to Alabama a few years ago and realizing Rick and I now lived close by and were both members of the local club, we quickly became great friends. On a recent trip to a train show in Gadsden, AL, where I was helping Rick promote his 3D printing business, I casually mentioned the idea of opening a small model railroad shop in our area. The closest one, at an hour away in Florida, seemed too far. To my surprise, Rick had been toying with a similar idea. The next thing we knew, we were actively searching for a small, affordable space to combine his 3D printing business with my model train inventory into a retail outlet. This is the origin story of Koda’s Cross-Tracks.
HOMESHOPS: https://homeshops.net Koda’s Cross-Tracks is proud to be a supplier of Home Shops high-end, highly detailed freelance model railroad freight cars, including a variety of 3D printed accessories perfect for enhancing your model trains collection from our model railroad shop.