The vast majority of brass model train collectors have never been to the factories where these products were made. Each model was hand-crafted of brass and steel, by people who never saw the real train they were replicating in scale. Please join us now as we take you through two visual trips.

The first is an insider's journey into the world of brass model construction when the industry was at its highest production levels during the 1980s-90s.

The second is a look into into how we perform repairs and restorations on brass model trains in HO, S and O scales for clients around the world.

BUILDING BRASS MODEL TRAINs

IN KOREA 1980-1990

This is where you can learn exactly how brass models were made.

See pictures inside the factory and read their stories →

BRASS MODEL TRAIN

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Repairs, Grit-Blasting, Ultrasonic Cleaning and Restorations.

Visit our brass model train learning center →

Our research into prototype railroads began in 1975 with our first trip to Duluth-Superior, making our August 2024 Twin Ports Trains book launch at Duluth Union Depot our 66th trip to the area. The Twin Ports really is our home away from home. We know you’ll enjoy reading our story of how the railroads actually built the communities of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin. As James J. Hill once said of his Great Northern Railway, creating the railroads of the Twin Ports really was about work, hard work, and more work.

Our main business is Jeff Lemke Trains, Inc. which is a Brass Model Train Professional Services firm that we operate out of Bloomingdale, Illinois. We repair and restore fine scale brass model trains for clients around the world. Over the years we’ve researched and designed more than 400 prototypes based on railroad equipment operating within the Twin Ports. As always, if you have a Twin Ports railroad question or a model project need please contact us today. Thanks for visiting. Cheers!