Mike Bartel started his hobby product business in 1993 as "The Imperial Navy," focused on 1:700 scale cast metal waterline ship models. In 1995 he changed the name to Imperial Hobby Productions and began to add U.S. commuter rail, rapid transit and trolley products. He offered cast HO scale carbody shells in resin, and subsequently some 1:48 O-scale items were added. A few HO scale IHP railway products have been offered fully built and decorated, even powered.
In 2000 IHP began producing N scale shells, including a few trolleys. This Wynnewood, Pennsylvania "cottage" business then transitioned to 3D design and 3D printing of railway products, using the Shapeways marketplace website, instead of hand-casting in resin from model masters. At the end of 2021, IHP significantly cut back its product offerings on Shapeways, leaving just a few N scale models including an Amtrak AEM7 electric locomotive. After the sudden demise of the Shapeways marketplace in July 2024, IHP turned to offering 3D-printed body shell castings directly. A batch of N scale 3D-printed model trolley shells appeared in 2025 on IHP's website and its Ebay store, but were listed as "discontinued" after they sold out by early 2026. - R. D. Kerr
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Product: | IHP 16001 1949 Pittsburgh 1700-Series PCC Shell |
| Year Made: | 2000 | |
| City/System: | Pittsburgh Railways | |
| Colors: | White resin casting | |
| Notes: | Unpainted cast resin body shell; scaled to fit Bachmann PCC chassis; listed originally as product 16006 | |
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Product: | IHP 16002 1946 KCPS PCC Shell |
| Year Made: | 2002 | |
| City/System: | Kansas City Public Service | |
| Colors: | White resin casting | |
| Notes: | Unpainted cast resin body shell; scaled to fit Bachmann PCC chassis | |
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Product: | IHP 16011 West Penn Railways 700-Series Interurban Shell |
| Year Made: | 2007 | |
| City/System: | West Penn Railways | |
| Colors: | White resin casting | |
| Notes: | Unpainted cast resin body shell | |
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Product: | IHP 16011A West Penn Railways 700-Series Interurban Kit |
| Year Made: | 2007 | |
| City/System: | West Penn Railways | |
| Colors: | White resin casting | |
| Notes: | Unpainted cast resin body and interior plus white metal trucks and pilots | |
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Product: | IHP 16003 Toronto CLRV Shell |
| Year Made: | 2025 | |
| City/System: | Toronto Transit Commission | |
| Colors: | Grey resin 3D print | |
| Notes: | Unpainted 3D printed resin body | |
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Product: | IHP 16004 Red Arrow / PSTC / SEPTA Double-End PCC Shell |
| Year Made: | 2025 | |
| City/System: | Philadelphia Suburban Transp. Co. / Southeastern Pennsyl. Transp. Auth. | |
| Colors: | Grey resin 3D print | |
| Notes: | Unpainted 3D printed resin body | |
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Product: | IHP 16007 Philadelphia Kawasaki Single-End LRV Shell |
| Year Made: | 2025 | |
| City/System: | Southeastern Pennsyl. Transp. Auth. | |
| Colors: | Grey resin 3D print | |
| Notes: | Unpainted 3D printed resin body | |
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Product: | IHP 16008 Philadelphia Double-End LRV Shell |
| Year Made: | 2025 | |
| City/System: | Southeastern Pennsyl. Transp. Auth. | |
| Colors: | Grey resin 3D print | |
| Notes: | Unpainted 3D printed resin body | |
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Product: | IHP 16010 Philadelphia 8000-Series Peter Witt Shell |
| Year Made: | 2025 | |
| City/System: | Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co. / Philadelphia Transportation Co. | |
| Colors: | Grey resin 3D print | |
| Notes: | Unpainted 3D printed resin body | |
