I've heard of CARM*, I've heard of CRM*, I've even heard of CRAM*, but now there's CMRM. An email plinged into my inbox to notify me of the CMRM's recent formation. It's a new coalition of manufacturers a mari usque ad mare to help Canada's model railroad industry withstand a 50% U.S. tariff that has upended a market many of them spent decades building.
[*CARM (Canadian Association of Railway Modellers); CRM (now-defunct Canadian Railway Modeller magazine); CRAM (what we did before a big test in school).]
Canadian Model Railroad Manufacturers (CMRM) brings together 10 companies that design, develop and manufacture products for model railroaders across the country, with a shared message for hobbyists: spend your hobby dollars in Canada.
The tariff has hit small manufacturers hard and fast. Many CMRM members are small businesses, building specialized products in workshops and studios across Canada. For companies that have spent years developing customers in the enormous U.S. model railroad market, a 50% tariff represents a significant new barrier to those sales. Model railway products had been exempt from Section 232 tariffs implemented last year, covered by the Canada-U.S. Mexico Agreement. But in the Section 338 round, such products were classified under HTS Code 9503, which includes toys, dolls, puzzles and scale models.
According to data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB), more than 53,000 small and medium-sized businesses are directly impacted by the levies. Toronto-based miniprints is one example: approximately 85% of the company's sales over the past year went to U.S. customers, and the new tariff has dramatically changed the economics of serving that market. Rather than wait for the trade dispute to resolve, miniprints owner Bernard Hellen began reaching out to other Canadian manufacturers about working together - a conversation that grew into CMRM.
WHO, WHY, HOW?
The ten founding members span Canada from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, as well as a broad cross-section of the hobby: miniprints, ITLA Scale Models, Precision Design Co., Fast Tracks Hobbyworks, PDC Custom Decals, Inter-Action Hobbies, Ultimation Modeling Tools, Otter Valley Railroad, Sylvan Scale Models and Roomettes. Together they make miniature figures and details, structures and craftsman kits, track-building products, decals, rolling stock, lighting, tools and other specialized products. Though I must admit I'm waiting for one of the biggest to appear alongside those other fine Canadian companies. Google's AI Overview tells me so:
CMRM helps make these businesses more visible, encourages co-operation among participating companies, and helps Canadian hobbyists discover the remarkable range of model railroad products available from Canadian businesses. CMRM promotes its members through its website, social media, industry events, and co-operative marketing. Participating companies display a CMRM Member mark so hobbyists can identify them at shows, in stores and online. You'll see it high up in Trackside Treasure's sidebar with a proud maple leaf nearby:
WHO, ME?
I immediately joined the CMRM as a Supporter. My 'Fifty Years Trackside' graphic now appears on the CMRM website along with nine other supporters, mostly model railway clubs, with links to their social media sites. Why? Because as a fiercely patriotic Canadian, there's only one thing I like as much as being fiercely patriotic. Free stuff! And being a Supporter is free. But really...why? What does this blogger - one who inhabits both the prototype railway world and the model railway world - care about Canadian model railway manufacturers?
Well, for years we had no choice but to fill our layout rooms with Athearn blue box and Roundhouse products. Oh sure, we could order other model train stuff from The Walthers Catalogue, but it was almost all American-made. When C-D-S Lettering dry transfers came along, I purchased copious sets and actually used them. When Lionel HO launched its Canadian prototype line of HO rolling stock and locomotives, I purchased those.
As a result, maybe you're thinking, "Well, what have you purchased from the CMRM's manufacturers?" There are different kinds of support - financial support, moral support and just plain support by communicating. That's what you're reading. I support this HOmegrown initiative and HOpe my support will help to the Nth degree. Or a little bit, at least. Together we can do much. My tiny corner of cyberspace can be worked - like a Victory Garden - small but useful.
Yes, it's by miniprints!
IT'S ABOUT MODEL TRAINS, NOT ABOUT POLITICS
As in most current events and trends, we trail the American hobby industry by over a year. Their Hobby Industry Coalition was formed to counter the U.S. stance – specifically the imposition of up to 145 percent tariffs on Chinese imports - seen as endangering the American hobby industry.
This is not about turning away from the U.S., however. American customers remain important to many CMRM members. The current political climate will not persist forever, though it already feels like forever. The CMRM is all about building a more resilient Canadian industry by growing awareness and demand closer to home. Amazingly, Otter Valley and miniprints have previously been interviewed multiple times by the Financial Post and the CBC, appearing on the National and other newscasts.
I believe CMRM is a Canadian cause wholly worthy of our support.
Consider becoming a Supporter or championing this cause however you can.
--Eric
Running extra...
That door. Those handgrabs.VHA's CBL. Oh, and that Chris Greenlaw.
Highly recommended! Photos by the late Peter Mumby, thoughtfully assembled into this book created by Trackside Treasure prolific blog partner George Dutka. My copy is now secure in an undisclosed location waiting for an upcoming birthday!
Found on Maxsold: Napanee Industries builder's photos. (Now, is that builder's or builders' photos? Are there more than one builder? Or is that 'Is there more than one builder'? 'Is there more than one builder's photo?' Oh never mind.) Here's a link to a previously-published Napanee industrial post where all the photos up for auction are shown.
First past the post...
So often, as Canadians (hey, aren't we socialists because anyone can get a free cardiac surgery without paying off the bill for the rest of their earthly life?) (and hey comrade, aren't 'socialists' interchangeable 'Communists' and 'Marxists' we so often hear about from a certain world leader who's schooled in Political Studies about as much as my refrigerator is?) expect the government to save us from all our perils. Here is an industry group that has banded together into a family, not necessarily waiting for a government who itself is stuck in an intractable arm-wrestle with a poorly-informed, reactionary former friend, now trade opponent. It's a very Canadian thing they've done, I believe - not able to change the weather, we do our best to adapt.
Of course it's by miniprints!
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