Collection: In Memoriam - Dennis Storzek

We are saddened to report the loss of our Co-Founder and dear friend Dennis E. Storzek, who passed away Sunday April 21st, 2024.

Dennis was born in 1951 and became a model railroader in 1959 with a traditional Lionel set.  His first freight car scratchbuild was a Flat Car, which was better work than most adults of the time.  He joined the Illinois Railway Museum the day he turned 18 (the minimum age at that time) and was active at IRM for many years.

Dennis was a freight car hobbyist and made himself extremely knowledgeable in the field and well respected by his peers.  In 1982 he started a resin freight car company called Dennis Storzek Modelmaker, specializing in high-end resin freight car and caboose (Soo Line) kits.

In late 1986, Dennis and Bob Walker (of Walker Model Service) merged their two small businesses to form Accurate Finishing which, with the acquisition of the McKean HO 40' steel boxcar tooling, soon became Accurail Inc.
Dennis was a self-taught tool designer, and later a full blown toolmaker.  His skills in these areas are well known in the industry.  The Accurail line grew over the ensuing years to 44 different freight car styles.

Dennis retired from Accurail in 2021 and is survived by his his loving wife of 50 years, Patti, and his two wonderful daughters Coleen, and Linda.  He will be greatly missed.