Model Trailways Conestoga Wagon

America's Original Heavy Hauler

Before railroads connected America...

Before semi-trucks hauled freight across interstate highways...

The Conestoga Wagon carried a nation westward.

Designed in Pennsylvania during the early 1700s, these rugged wagons transported everything from household goods and military supplies to flour, whiskey, and iron across the Appalachian Mountains. Their distinctive boat-shaped body wasn't simply beautiful—it was ingenious. The curved floor kept heavy cargo from shifting while climbing steep grades or descending rough mountain roads.

Today, the Conestoga Wagon remains one of the most recognizable symbols of America's westward expansion.

Built Like the Real Thing

This is a true multimedia kit that combines wood, metal, brass, fabric, and scale hardware to recreate the construction methods of the original wagon.

Premium Laser-Cut Basswood

The body, frame, wheels, and structural components are precision laser cut from quality basswood for exceptional fit and crisp detail. Because it's real wood—not molded plastic—you can stain, weather, or paint the model to match your preferred finish.

Authentic Britannia Metal Castings

Axles, hubs, brake components, structural hardware, and dozens of mechanical details are reproduced with finely cast Britannia metal parts that add both strength and realism.

Photo-Etched Brass Details

Delicate brass fittings replicate the straps, brackets, and reinforcing hardware found on the original wagons—details simply impossible to reproduce convincingly in plastic.

Real Cloth Canvas Cover

The included fabric cover can be finished, weathered, and installed just like the canvas used on the full-sized wagons that crossed America's frontier.

Scale Rope, Chain & Miniature Nails

Authentic scale chains, rope, and miniature nails complete the working appearance of the wagon while providing a satisfying finishing experience.

Engineering You'll Actually Build

The Conestoga Wagon 1:12 is more than simply a decorative model. It's a working demonstration of the ingenuity that carried America west.

Working Suspension

The completed wagon features fully functioning suspension, allowing the finished model to demonstrate the clever engineering that helped real Conestoga wagons survive thousands of miles of rough roads.

Operating Brake Assembly

The rear brake isn't just represented—it actually works, giving the finished model an extra level of realism rarely found in wooden kits.

Authentic Wheel Construction

Each wheel is built from individual components that recreate the craftsmanship of an 18th-century wheelwright. Many builders consider the wheels one of the most rewarding parts of the entire project.

Kit Specifications 

Scale: 1:12

Finished Length: 19" (483 mm)

Finished Width: 6" (152 mm)

Finished Height: 9" (229 mm)

Origin: Made in the USA by Model Expo

Kit Features

Precision laser-cut basswood parts

Britannia metal castings

Photo-etched brass detail sheet

Real cloth canvas cover

Scale chain, rope, and miniature nails

Functioning suspension

Working brake assembly

Authentic multi-piece wheel construction

Fully illustrated step-by-step instructions

Made in the USA by Model Expo