Affiliate Disclosure

Last Updated: January 1, 2026

Our Affiliate Relationships

Off The Rails (offtherails.ca) participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn commissions on purchases made through links on our website. This helps us maintain the site and continue creating free content for our readers.

Amazon Associates Program

Off The Rails is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, and other Amazon properties.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. When you click on an Amazon link on our site and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

How We Choose Products to Recommend

Our editorial integrity is paramount. We want to be absolutely clear about how we select products to feature on Off The Rails:

• Research-Based Recommendations: Our team thoroughly researches products before recommending them. We consider factors like quality, value, customer reviews, and brand reputation.
• Hands-On Testing: Whenever possible, we personally test products before reviewing them. Our team includes active model railroaders who use and evaluate the products in real-world conditions.
• Honest Reviews: We provide honest assessments, including both pros and cons. If a product doesn’t meet our standards, we won’t recommend it—even if it would generate affiliate revenue.
• No Pay-for-Play: Companies cannot pay for positive reviews. Our recommendations are based solely on product merit.

Commission Disclosure

When you purchase products through our affiliate links, we may earn a small percentage of the sale. The commission rates vary by product category and retailer but typically range from 1% to 10% of the purchase price.

Importantly:

• You pay the same price whether you use our links or not
• Affiliate commissions do not increase the price you pay
• The commission comes from the retailer, not from you

Why We Use Affiliate Links

Creating quality content takes significant time and resources. Affiliate commissions help us:

• Maintain and improve our website
• Research and test new products
• Create comprehensive guides and reviews
• Keep our content free for all readers

Other Affiliate Partnerships

In addition to Amazon, we may participate in other affiliate programs with model train retailers, hobby shops, and related businesses. These partnerships operate under the same principles:

• We only recommend products we believe in
• Our reviews remain honest and unbiased
• You pay no additional cost when using our links

Editorial Independence

Our editorial content is never influenced by affiliate relationships. We maintain strict separation between our editorial and business operations:

• Product reviews are written independently of our affiliate partnerships
• We do not alter our opinions to favor higher-commission products
• We disclose affiliate relationships clearly on our site
• Sponsored content (if any) is always clearly marked

FTC Compliance

This disclosure is provided in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) guidelines on affiliate marketing and endorsements. The FTC requires that material connections between product reviewers and product sellers be clearly disclosed.

Questions?

If you have any questions about our affiliate relationships or how we select products to recommend, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re committed to transparency and are happy to address any concerns.

Thank you for supporting Off The Rails by using our affiliate links. Your support helps us continue providing valuable content for the railroad enthusiast community.