Athearn

Lore & Background

Athearn's history began in 1938 when Irvin Athearn built a detailed O scale model railroad layout in his mother's house; the overwhelming response to an advertisement to sell it led him to make model railroad supplies his career. He became a full-time retailer in 1946, opened a separate facility in Hawthorne, California, in 1948, and that same year entered HO scale. In 1951, Athearn acquired the Globe Models product line and improved it, introducing all-wheel drive and electrical contact. Innovations included the 'Hi-F' drive mechanism, which used small rubber bands to transfer motion from the motor spindle to the axles, and the double-ended ring magnet motor, which allowed easy connection to all-wheel-drive assemblies; flywheels were also incorporated into double-ended drives.

Starting in the mid-1950s, Athearn produced shortened versions of streamlined and heavyweight passenger cars based on Southern Pacific and Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe prototypes, along with a variety of freight cars with sprung and equalized trucks. These were available as simple kits or ready-to-run. A model of the Budd Rail Diesel Car was introduced in 1953 with a metal body and reintroduced in 1958 in plastic. The comprehensive scope and low cost of the product line contributed to the popularity of HO scale. Athearn also produced trains for Lionel Corporation's HO line starting in 1958, for Cox Models in the 1970s, and for Atlas Model Railroad Co. train sets in the 1970s. The company produced a Boston & Maine P4 class Pacific steam locomotive with a cast zinc alloy base and thermoplastic resin superstructure, powered by a Wilson motor; it was discontinued when that motor became unavailable.

Irvin Athearn died in 1991. New owners took control in 1994 but continued his business model. In 1998, Athearn acquired Paul Lubliner's 'Highliners' tooling for EMD F-units, integrating it into the new Genesis line. Further acquisitions included Rail Power Products and Details West tooling in 2002. Horizon Hobby purchased Athearn in 2004, moving the company from Compton to Carson, California, and also purchasing Model Die Casting and its Roundhouse brand. Subsequent acquisitions included McHenry Couplers (2006), A-Line trailer tooling (2007), and the Tower 55 series from Overland Models (2008). By mid-2009, all remaining U.S. production moved to China, warehousing moved to Horizon Hobby, and sales and product development moved to a smaller facility in Long Beach, California. On October 16, 2009, Athearn announced it would stop making blue-box kits due to increased manufacturing and labor costs. In May 2021, the Long Beach office closed as development became remote; by July 2021, all service, spare parts, repairs, and warranty work were handled at Horizon's main complex in Champaign, Illinois.

Reader's Guide

Athearn's significance lies in its role as a foundational manufacturer in HO scale model railroading, making the scale widely accessible through affordable, comprehensive product lines. The 'Blue Box' kits, produced from the mid-1950s until 2009, became a staple for hobbyists, offering a wide variety of freight and passenger cars that could be assembled simply or run ready-to-use. The company's innovations, such as the 'Hi-F' drive and double-ended ring magnet motor, improved performance and reliability in HO locomotives. Athearn's legacy also includes its role as an original equipment manufacturer for major brands like Lionel, Cox, and Atlas, supplying trains for their HO sets. The acquisition of fine-quality tooling from Highliners and other manufacturers allowed Athearn to elevate its Genesis line, producing detailed models that appealed to serious collectors. The company's endurance through changes in ownership—from Irvin Athearn's family to new owners in 1994 and then to Horizon Hobby in 2004—demonstrates its lasting importance. Even after moving production to China and ending blue-box kits, Athearn continues to serve the model railroad community through remote development and centralized service in Champaign, Illinois, maintaining a presence that spans over eight decades.

Did You Know?

• Irvin Athearn built a detailed O scale layout in his mother's house in 1938, which led to his career in model railroading.
• Athearn produced HO scale trains for Lionel Corporation starting in 1958 and for Cox Models in the 1970s.
• The company stopped making blue-box kits on October 16, 2009, citing increased manufacturing and labor costs.