Pacific Design Shops

Pacific Design Shops Affordable, Engineered Kits and RTR products for the Live Steam Hobby
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Flashback Friday. We are fortunate to be directly involved with the hobby for over 35 years. Way before starting PDS, we...
09/04/2026

Flashback Friday. We are fortunate to be directly involved with the hobby for over 35 years. Way before starting PDS, we attended meets at St. Croix Railroad, worked on the railroad over summer breaks, spent time at our grandparents track, all while having fun with the hobby.

Over the years, we have shared stories with hundreds of friends, collaborated with suppliers, legends, and pioneers in the hobby, and helped shape the future of the hobby. All this time in the hobby has given us an in depth look into what other want out of the hobby and how our skills and products can better fit those needs. The past year has been strenuous, but we greatly appreciate the positive remarks from customers about our products and we look forward to offering more ideas and solutions to the hobby in the future.

Commonwealth Truck Update - Ordering window open until September 14th.Commonwealth Truck Kit - $1,500 (per set)CMW Truck...
09/02/2026

Commonwealth Truck Update - Ordering window open until September 14th.

Commonwealth Truck Kit - $1,500 (per set)
CMW Truck & 3-axle Depressed Flatcar Bundle - $2,500

Based on projected steel prices, orders for the Commonwealth Trucks and Depressed Flat bundle need to be in by 9/14 for the prices above.

We look to have the bulk of the Commonwealth Truck parts in by October/November time frame; the new Friction journals will arrive in early 2027 and can ship separately.

Our Commonwealth Trucks are a direct replacement for the Tom Bee Buckeye Trucks that many have used under our depressed flat cars and will allow those that have stalled on their project an option to complete their car. We do have future plans for Buckeye trucks with friction bearings but those designs will be more expensive due to the increased amount of parts.

For those that have asked about the 3-axle depressed flatcar being run in batches again, this is the closest we will get to a batch run.

Reach out via PM or email to place your order.

https://pacificdesignshops.com/cmw/

Commonwealth Freight Truck Kit - $1500 (per set)CMW Truck Kit + Depressed Flat Bundle - $2500After years of waiting, we ...
08/28/2026

Commonwealth Freight Truck Kit - $1500 (per set)
CMW Truck Kit + Depressed Flat Bundle - $2500

After years of waiting, we have a purpose built truck for our 3-axle Depressed Flatcar. And it's a weld together kit that requires zero machining; No lathe or mill is needed. Just press, weld, grind and assemble. Ride in style without spending hours machining parts.

The truck features all steel tab and slot construction, fully equalized axles and a swing bolster for an exceptionally smooth ride. Cast steel journal boxes, steel wheels and axles are fully machined. Ball bearings are included along with all the hardware to assemble. A dual spring setup for riding in light and loaded conditions can handle a 800 lb load.

Axles are setup for 7½" but can be adapted for 7¼" for an additional fee.

An optional bolt on air brake kit is available for $500 per set (both trucks).

The bundle is available for a limited time. Future runs of the Commonwealth Trucks may occur, no guarantee on pricing.

https://pacificdesignshops.com/cmw/

1" Flatcar Kit Sale - $450We have 5 kits remaining before discontinuing our 1" scale 41' Flatcar. Kits come complete wit...
08/25/2026

1" Flatcar Kit Sale - $450

We have 5 kits remaining before discontinuing our 1" scale 41' Flatcar. Kits come complete with 29 laser cut steel pieces, copper rivets, coupler pockets and hardware, plus all the detail parts minus the stake pockets. Our inventory of stake pockets have been exhausted and are out of production to make more so we are discounting the kits.

Cars are compatible with 1" Railroad Supply & Despatch trucks and couplers. Kits can be shipped or picked up at the St. Croix Fall Meet in September.

https://pacificdesignshops.com/freight-car/sp-41-flat-car/

Limited Release Accessory: Bolt on Bulkhead End Kits for Flatcars.$250 per set w/ White Oak boards$200 per set w/o board...
08/16/2026

Limited Release Accessory: Bolt on Bulkhead End Kits for Flatcars.
$250 per set w/ White Oak boards
$200 per set w/o boards

In a first for the hobby, bolt on bulkheads will transform almost any 1½” scale flatcar into a bulkhead flat for more functionally and usage. Haul logs, bags, or items without risk of them falling over the ends.

Designed specifically for our 53′ SP Flatcars to mimic the add-ons SP did to their flatcars in the mid 1950’s, these bolt on bulkheads are also compatable with our 41′ and 60′ cars.

Height of bulkheads off the deck is 10″. Ideal for use on flatcars 15.5″-16″ wide. Kits require welding; bulkhead will function w/o boards.

https://pacificdesignshops.com/sp-bulkheads/

08/16/2026

Double the engines; double the fun. Wireless MU control on two our our GP9 designs with BTC wireless control.

Inventory and Website UpdateAll PFE Reefers kits have been sold and that design will go into retirement. After producing...
07/29/2026

Inventory and Website Update

All PFE Reefers kits have been sold and that design will go into retirement. After producing over 100 re**er kits, we are looking forward to running some new wood based designs.

The first batch of 25 PFE re**er frames has sold out and a reservation list has been started for the next production batch. A jig for completing the holes in the angles was finally completed and pre-ordered kits will start shipping this week.

All 53' and 60' SP Flatcars are sold out; both have reservation lists started as well. We do have stock of our 41' SP Flatcar.

A large batch of White Oak has been sourced from a local sawmill to fulfill the backordered flatcar decking for customers. We have a couple wireless systems to complete first but will start cutting the boards up in a couple weeks.

On our main page, we added an "Inventory Quick Look" for products to reflect what is in stock and what has reservation lists started. If you are interested in a kit on the reservation list, please reach out, there is no payment until the design goes into production.

https://pacificdesignshops.com/

07/16/2026

The backlit screen and buttons used for our wireless controller provide visibility at all times of day. Great for night running or dark areas around your track.

Commonwealth Freight Truck and Passenger Car Truck UpdateAfter completing an additional set of prototype trucks, we have...
07/13/2026

Commonwealth Freight Truck and Passenger Car Truck Update
After completing an additional set of prototype trucks, we have finalized the truck design to be easier to produce and cheaper to manufacturer.

To verify the new manufacturing and assembly method, we trialed our new our Commonwealth Freight Trucks, commonly found under our larger depressed flatcar. Assembly and testing of the trucks was completed over the weekend with the assistance from Pike River Shops and friends up at our local club, MLES.

The results were outstanding. The trucks have a smooth ride, glide through the curves, and equalizer over all variations of track. The difference in the assembly method was not noticeable at all in the finished product. We will be completing the pricing for the Commonwealth Freight Trucks and look to release this product for many customers who are looking for trucks to complete their depressed flat car.

The Passenger Car Trucks will also have pricing finalized and released soon, though we are going to pass this product over to Pike River Shops to produce and sell due to other projects going through our shops. We appreciate the patience in providing the pricing to those that have expressed interest.

$299 - 5' REDESIGNED Ride-A-Stride Car Kits (Gauging interest for potential Q4 delivery)Our most requested kit to bring ...
07/06/2026

$299 - 5' REDESIGNED Ride-A-Stride Car Kits (Gauging interest for potential Q4 delivery)

Our most requested kit to bring back has been our ride astride car kits. Easy to assemble, most affordable kit in the hobby, with robust but light weight construction gives this car great value for your train. We redesigned our original 5' car to keep costs low without sacrificing everything that made the car great.

The kit comes with (10) pieces of 18mm Baltic Birch, CNC cut with mortise and tenon construction and a 12mm Baltic Birch seat. Not included is the 1" x 2" steel tubing for the frame, wood glue, trucks and couplers, and mounting hardware.

If you are interested in a kit, please reach out. We will only run the kit if enough orders are generated.

Instructions for the design follow closely to our original 5' car design.https://pacificdesignshops.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/RAC75_IM.pdf

Address

Hudson, WI
54016, 54017

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