Dave Meek's Thunder Mesa Studio

09/28/2026

New vlog! https://youtu.be/nKhdOBzVG6k
I'm trying out a new vlog style format for regular updates on all of the projects going on at the studio. This week, I have an update on the HOn30 Barlow Pass layout, a project that's been somewhat stalled of late, and I share my ideas for getting rolling again.

I'm trying out a new vlog style format for regular updates on all o...

09/26/2026

New video! https://youtu.be/Je2xMjx6Zh8
Let's take a ride on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad! The YMSP recreates a bit of living Sierra Nevada logging history on a 4 mile stretch of the old Madera & Sugar Pine Lumber Company's right of way near Fish Camp, California. Just a few miles from Yosemite National Park, this reconstructed line runs mostly former Westside Lumber Company equipment, including the venerable No 10, the largest narrow gauge Shay ever produced by Lima. Join me for a beautiful day in the pine covered Sierra foothills on this one of a kind railroad adventure!

Let's take a ride on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad! The...

09/23/2026

I am recently returned from my trek in the mountains and deserts of Nevada and California where I spent a little time hanging out with Shay No 10, formerly of the Westside Lumber Company. I took a ride on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine RR and have a video on this railroad adventure coming out on Friday, 9/25. Fun facts: old No 10 is a 3-truck oil burner, built by Lima in 1923. They say she is the largest narrow gauge Shay ever built.

09/15/2026

New video! https://youtu.be/kxhGtIzEAy0?is=YDwlQWqMSqdWsjQC

Picking up right where I left off on last week's crane car build, I'm building another car for Thunder Mesa's maintenance of way (MOW) train! This time, I'm repurposing the 3-D printed 16' flat car from the EarnestTrains crane car kit into a funky, rundown, homebuilt work caboose with tons of character. Join me as I turn what had been a failed part of the project into a creative opportunity to make something fun and useful.

Picking up right where I left off on last week's crane car build, I...

09/10/2026

New video!
https://youtu.be/87r6D9u7Tkk
I've been needing a crane car for Thunder Mesa's maintenance of way (MOW) train, and this 3-D printed semi-kit from EarnestTrains fills the bill! Follow along as I build and modify these quality parts into a hard-working, steam donkey powered, flatcar mounted crane for my On30 narrow gauge empire.

I've been needing a crane car for Thunder Mesa's maintenance of way...

09/08/2026

My latest build is this On30 steam donkey crane car for the Thunder Mesa layout. I started with some 3-D printed resin parts found on eBay but swapped out the 16' flat that came with it for a longer Bachmann car. Full build video comes out on Wednesday, 8/9.

08/30/2026

EDIT: Sold out! Thank you!

This is the final call for my Gold Tooth Mine kits in O scale. There are just 2 left in stock on the Thunder Mesa Kits website and when they are gone they are gone! These kits will not be re-run. Thanks to everyone who purchased a kit and helped to make this initial release a smashing success.
Happy modeling!
https://www.thundermesakits.com/

08/26/2026

Thank you all for the tremendous response to our Gold Tooth Mine kit, the first offering from Thunder Mesa Kits! The production run for these O scale kits ends this week and, as of this post, there are only a handful left. If you've been waiting to pick one up, don't wait too long because they will soon be gone forever! Our kits are produced in limited runs so we can focus on one, finely crafted product at a time - and the next one is well on the way. Pick up one of the last Gold Tooth Mine kits at ThunderMesaKits.com https://www.thundermesakits.com/

08/18/2026

Outstanding Orders:
If you are still waiting for your Gold Tooth Mine kit to ship, I apologize for the slight delay! One of the kit components from a 3rd party vendor was delayed in shipping but we expect delivery today. Then the remaining outstanding orders can be packed and shipped. Thank you for patience as each kit is cut and hand packed just for you.
Dave