Pop quiz:  what are the three most famous American model trains makers? I bet you’ll remember them when I tell you.  They are: “Lionel, American Flyer and Bachmann Trains”.  You probably didn’t known that Bachmann was American, but it is. And American Flyer was a creator not just a line of trains.  Here’s other interesting facts about these American model train makers that you might find fascinating:

Lionel Trains:  

Lionel was perhaps the the top dog of model train makers in your father’s day. Lionel’s great marketing allowed it to outwit the competition.  One tactic it deployed was to embed model trains to Christmas traditions, making the circular train tracks around the Christmas tree a mainstay of the Christmas experience.  Their O gauge trains which were one 48^th the size of actual locomotives ruled the roast up until the 1950’s when HO scale trains started to take over the market. Starting in the 60′s Lionel went through several ups in downs but is still around. Lionel O gauge is back and as hot as ever. Their great trains are well loved by all.

American Flyer:  

We mostly recognize American Flyer trains as a line of trains now, but they were their own manufacturer until 1966 when they were bought out by Lionel. American Flyer had its humble beginning in turn of the century Chicago.  They were bought out by A C Gilbert who also popularized the famous “erector sets” of the early 20^thcentury. American Flyer is partly still so popular as a collectible today because it offered such a strong alternative to Lionel’s O gauge trains. After World War II the company slowly failed as its trains switched to S scale.  When Lionel bought American Flyer in 1966, they kept and refurbished much of the equipment.  In the last ten years Lionel has started reissuing the most famous and popular of the American Flyer trains using the original manufacturing devices but updating the trains with new sound systems and 21^st century quality controls.

Bachmann Industries:  

Although this was the last of the three toy train makers to enter the model train market, it is the the oldest of the three–having been born way back in 1833. Descendants of the original founders of the company, the Carlisle’s and the Bachmann’s, are still on the company board, though the company is now headquartered in China, not in Philadelphia. Bachmann really began to catch on just after World War II when it began catering starter kits for middle class hobbyists.  Their success continues to this day and they remain one the leaders in HO model trains in the world.

We have never had more choices in model training. The Internet has opened whole new choices for model train enthusiasts.  You can choose from almost any scale and from any era of train at just the touch of button. It is not overstated to claim that these three companies are truly American treasures.

Here is more information on Toy Model Trains. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.