Past and Present Bachmann Model Trains

Bachmann History

One of the top sellers of model railroad equipment globally is Bachmann. Aside from manufacturing model trains at economical prices, their train sets are of superior class. The “Spectrum” line, their top of the line set, is also available to those who could afford to spare extra cash to see the marvel of this line. The company was established by Henry Carlisle in Philadelphia during the 1800’s. Today a Chinese company based in Hong Kong owns it, and all of their products are being manufactured in China.

A merger of the original firm and a firm headed by Henry G. Bachmann in 1899 brought about the new firm which was called the Bachmann Bros. This was the first American firm to manufacture sunglasses, which were eventually used by the men in the US Army and Air Force during the Second World War.

Soon after the war ended, Bachmann Bros. made “Plasticville USA”.  This was a do-it-yourself kit consisting of homes, stores and structures for creating layouts for model trains. The O scale was used in the original kit, and it was constructed in Philadelphia. Collecting Plasticville soon became a hobby for most people, and then in 1999 the Plasticville Collectors Association was founded. The line also included HO and N scale kits soon after.

Bachmann Model Trains

In 1968, Bachmann commenced to produce model trains in N scale. And in 1970 they also started to produce HO scale model trains.

By 1981 they went global, starting with the European model train market. And all their  train cars were manufacture in China in 1992.

The popular G scale sets called the “Big Haulers” were launched in 1990. The famed Emmett Kelly Jr. Circus trains from this set came out later in 1993.

The “Spectrum” line of equipment, a premium line which includes modern motors, realistic paint schemes and finer details was produced in 1988. And the Spectrum HO scale 2-8-0 Consolidation was chosen as “Model of the Year” by Model Railroader magazine readers in 1998.

Now, 0n30 scale trains are being produced by Bachmann as well.

They have designed DCC modules and systems in partnership with Lenz Elektronik which follow germane standard and are suitable with other manufacturers engines.

The scales that Bachmann produces are as follows, HO scale, N scale (1:480 and 1:160) 0n30, 00 scale, Hon30 ( which is a HO scale on N gauge tracks) and G scale.

Figures and landscaping materials are also available from Bachmann in O and HO scales.