Top 30 Model Train Brands in 2024

The most popular brands for Model Train Includes Roco, PIKO, Bachmann, Athearn, Fleischmann, Atlas, Rivarossi, Lima, Trix, Walthers among many others.

1

Roco

Popular Brand

Customizing your jeeps and trucks to reflect your personality is one of the biggest hobbies of car enthusiasts. Roco 4x4 is a one-stop shop for specialized aftermarket accessories for your precious vehicles. Even an old rugged jeep can look like a beast with accessories offered by this company. The gear provided by Roco 4x4 is guaranteed to be of premium quality and durable. From securing your cars with armors to adding extra utilities like freezers, Roco 4x4 provides every service promptly and integrally. Dedicated to making its clients the happiest, the company offers multiple brand options to help customers make the right choice.

2

PIKO

Popular Brand

PIKO America is a model train brand that manufactures PIKO trains, tracks, buildings, and many more products. It produces G-Scale, HO-Scale, N-Scale, TT-Scale, and digital control products. They ship their products only in the USA and Canada. Their products are made of Virgin Brass, which is freshly mined, then refined, and at last combined with other alloys to make the trains. Its website supports all the catalogs, along with ordering services on its portal.

3

Bachmann

Popular Brand

Bachmann makes it simple to incorporate Scandinavian style into your house. It features a full line of dinnerware, flatware, glasses, and serveware for every occasion. Their items will increase the enjoyment of ordinary family meals and special events, from informal to formal, from the kitchen to the dining room. Its classic contemporary designs are made using the finest materials. They've streamlined Scandinavian methods and materials to produce a collection of stylish, modern kitchenware at reasonable pricing.

4

Athearn

Best Brand

There is no age to enjoy a hobby as fun as model railroading. Athearn is a company that delivers exemplary quality train models to customers with exceptional attention to detail in designing. The company offers train models of multiple scales, which provides several options to the consumers. Working in this industry for over sixty years, Athearn has made its mark with model enthusiasts for its diverse range, innovative designs, and low prices. Introducing new products regularly, Athearn aims to be the best in model railroading and be the brand that delivers the train set you will fall in love with.

5

Fleischmann

Best Brand

Fleischmann is a company that has been building model trains for almost a century now. They started the company back in 1887 and kept creating beautiful model trains for the customers. Fleischmann has paid a lot of attention to the detail of the model trains. They believe in bringing happiness to the children's faces with their models. Several adults are also collectors of train models. Fleischmann has come a long way in 125 years, starting from just tin toys.

6

Atlas

Best Brand

Atlas provides an entirely new game experience for kids. The game has a futuristic vibe since it combines the actual world with the virtual one in a mobile, tactile, and digital experience. Students may learn about the solar system and become masters at traversing the universe with an interactive game offered by Atlas. Young explorers may learn about space in an entertaining, informative, and engaging way thanks to the app's award-winning technology, which combines a variety of game concepts.

7

Rivarossi

Best Brand

Founded by Alessandro Rossi in Como at the end of 1945, Rivarossi has emerged as one of the top suppliers of railway models in the entire world. Their founder's enthusiasm for developing railway models and Mecanno products is still alive within the company, which has kept it going even after about eight decades. In the 1950s, Rivarossi made its first international debut with its participation in the Norimberga fair. They entered the American market about a decade later and took over the entire market by being an exporter of over 80% of the US production.

8

Lima

Best Brand

Lima Family Farms is a family-owned business that focuses on producing high-quality organic produce. All the cattle are raised on...

9

Trix

CakeBoss is a company that provides business solutions to assist small businesses in expanding. They've helped clients manage their everyday...

10

Walthers

Helping people to own tracks of the future, Walthers caters to providing you with all your needs for railroading models....

11

BRAWA

Brawa is a railway transport vehicle commonly known as a locomotive or engine production company. These products provide the motive...

12

Jouef

Jouef is a model company that develops a natural train environment. The models are precise and lifelike, with a level...

13

Broadway Limited Imports

Broadway Limited Imports is a leading brand in the locomotives industry. The company is known for its superior manufacture of...

14

KATO

Union Pacific is the subject of Kato. A steam engine is often used to power a train over a long...

15

TYCO

TYCO is the top supplier of physical security systems and services, including access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, and fire...

16

MEHANO

MEHANO is a brand with years of experience in creating children's toys for instructive and entertaining purposes. Their toys include...

17

Mantua

Mantua Model UK is a big name worldwide for its wooden vehicle models of cars and ships. They also sell...

18

MTH

Who does not like being in the locomotive and relish the toys? MTH has brought electric trains to use in...

19

Hornby

In the United Kingdom, Hornby is a well-known brand in the model train hobby. In 1901, the company's founder, Frank...

20

IHC

IHC stands for International Hobby Corps. It is a brand of products for children. They provide transporting vehicle toys to...

21

InterMountain

InterMountain Railway Company stocks and sells train boxcars of categories like HO scale, N scale, and Z scale. Offering varieties...

22

Wiseman Model Services

Wiseman Model Services takes pride in producing kits and finely detailed parts in a variety of scales. They offer numerous...

23

Stewart

24

Lionel

Lionel Corporation ran a chain of toy stores mostly on the eastern side of the United States. It is the...

25

Rapido Trains Inc.

Model trains and accessories are created to a high standard by Rapido Trains Inc. Their trains have completely detailed interiors...

26

Roundhouse

The Roundhouse is a meticulously restored edifice in Chippendale's center. The Age of Steam Museum and Australia's sole public miniature...

27

Frateschi

28

Bemo

Launched in 1976 by Harald Göbel, BEMO is a German developer of narrow-track engine models, passenger cars, goods wagons, and...

29

Overland Models

Founded in 1976, Overland Models is a brass scale model manufacturer. They are dedicated to preserving the history of railways...

30

FULGUREX

FULGUREX aimed to capture the fast-moving world with its exquisite and carefully crafted model trains. The company has existed for...

1. Choose Your Scale One of the first decisions you’ll need to make when buying a model train set is which scale to choose. Essentially, scale refers to the ratio of the model train to its real-life counterpart. The most common scales for model trains include N, HO, O, and G, listed here in order of decreasing size. Here’s what you need to know about each scale. - N Scale: The smallest commonly-used scale, N trains are roughly 1:160 in relation to their real-life counterparts. These trains are ideal for those who want to pack a lot of track into a small space. - HO Scale: The most popular scale for model trains, HO trains are roughly 1:87 in relation to their real-life counterparts. HO trains are great for hobbyists who want a balance between realism and space efficiency. - O Scale: Slightly larger than HO trains, O trains are roughly 1:48 in relation to their real-life counterparts. These trains are more detailed than HO and N scale trains, but require more space to set up. - G Scale: The largest scale of commonly-used model trains, G trains are roughly 1:22.5 in relation to their real-life counterparts. These trains are great for creating large layouts outdoors or indoors, but can be quite expensive. 2. Consider Your Space Requirements Once you’ve settled on a scale for your model train set, you’ll need to consider the amount of space you have available for your layout. As we mentioned earlier, smaller scales like N and HO are ideal for those with limited space, while larger scales like O and G require more room to accommodate a realistic train layout. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to make room for any buildings, scenery, or other accessories you want to include in your layout. To determine how much space you’ll need, measure the area where you plan to set up your train set and compare that to the required space for your chosen scale. 3. Select Your Train Type There are a variety of train types to choose from when it comes to model trains. Here are the most popular options. - Freight Trains: Freight trains are the backbone of the railroad industry and a popular choice for model train enthusiasts. These trains often come with a variety of cargo cars, including boxcars, flatcars, gondolas, and tankers. - Passenger Trains: Passenger trains are another popular choice for model train fans. These trains come with a variety of passenger cars and locomotives, and are great for creating realistic train stations and platforms. - Steam Trains: Steam trains are an iconic part of railroad history and a popular choice for model train enthusiasts who want to recreate the look and feel of an earlier era. These trains run on steam power, and often come with classic locomotives and freight or passenger cars. - Diesel Trains: Diesel trains are a more modern option for model train enthusiasts, with locomotives powered by diesel fuel rather than steam. These trains often come with a variety of freight or passenger cars. - Electric Trains: Electric trains are another modern option for model train enthusiasts, with locomotives powered by electricity rather than steam or diesel. These trains can be powered by overhead wires or an electrified track, and often come with a variety of freight or passenger cars. 4. Evaluate Your Power Options There are a few different ways to power your model train set, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are the most common options. - DC Power: DC power is the most common type of power used in model train sets. It involves using a transformer to provide power to the track, which in turn powers the train. DC power is relatively easy and inexpensive to set up, but can be limited in terms of functionality. - DCC Power: DCC, or digital command control, is a more advanced type of power for model trains. With DCC, each train can be controlled individually using a digital command center. This allows for a greater degree of control over train speed and direction, and makes it easier to operate multiple trains on the same track. DCC power requires a bit more setup and can be more expensive than DC power. - AC Power: AC power is another option for model train enthusiasts. With AC power, the train’s motor is powered directly by the transformer, rather than by the track. This allows for greater control over the train’s speed and can produce a more realistic-looking train. However, AC power can be more difficult to set up and is less common than DC or DCC power. 5. Consider Your Budget Model train sets can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the scale, features, and level of detail. Before you start shopping for a model train set, it’s important to consider your budget and how much you’re willing to spend. Keep in mind that the initial cost of the set is just the beginning; you’ll also need to consider the cost of any accessories, additional trains, and maintenance or repairs. If you’re on a tight budget, consider starting with a basic set and adding onto it over time. 6. Look for Quality and Durability Finally, when shopping for a model train set, it’s important to look for quality and durability. Look for sets and trains made from high-quality materials that are designed to last. You’ll also want to consider any warranties or guarantees offered by the manufacturer. Keep in mind that model trains require regular maintenance and cleaning to keep them running smoothly, so be sure to choose a set that’s easy to maintain. Conclusion Model trains are a timeless hobby that can provide hours of enjoyment and relaxation. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned hobbyist, there are plenty of options available to create your perfect train set. By considering your scale, space requirements, train type, power options, budget, and quality needs, you can find the perfect train set for your needs and start enjoying this classic hobby today.

Categories Similar to Model Train

Top similar topics to Model Train Includes Steam Engine Train, N Scale Trains, N Scale Train Sets among many others.