[2] While attending Fairleigh Dickinson University at night, Carstens joined the staff of Railroad Model Craftsman in 1952.
While in the Army, he studied art and journalism at the Philippine Institute for the Armed Forces.
In 1973, Carstens moved the company to a new facility in Newton, New Jersey, where it remained until the magazines were acquired by White River Productions in September 2014.
Carstens was an accomplished author and photographer, with many articles to his name in various hobby and trade journals.
He was also the author and editor of several books on model railroading and toy trains.