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COWCATCHER MAGAZINE

Model railroad industry pioneer Keith Edwards dies at 91

July 28, 2012 / Updated August 29, 2012

Model Railroading

Keith Edwards, who co-founded Kadee Quality Products Co., passed away Thursday at a Medford, OR hospital of natural causes. He was 91.

 In 1940, Edwards co-founded Kadee Quality Products Co., best-known for its HO-scale coupling devices, with his twin brother, Dale.

 By the early 1960s, the brothers began to manufacture their Magne-Matic® coupler system in N scale. Gradually, the company added wheels, trucks and under frames to their product line.

 In 1972, Keith Edwards led the company’s efforts in N and Z scales to form Micro-Trains Line Co., a separate division that at first specialized in N scale trains, Magne-Matic® couplers and accessories. Eventually added to the product line, were cars and couplers in Nn3 scale,  and Z scale were eventually added.

 In 1996, Edwards joined his brother as a member of the Hobby Manufacturers Association Hall of Fame. Four years later, Keith Edwards retired.

 “Keith inspired all of us at Micro-Trains, with his selfless passion for the hobby and business,” Micro-Trains CEO/President Eric D. Smith said. “Micro-Trains employees, and his family

Keith Edwards, who co-founded Kadee Quality Products and later guided Micro-Trains Line Co., died of natural causes.

will miss him so very much.”

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