The 26 best model railroad brands
KATO, Atlas and Woodland Scenics lead our ranking of 26 model railroad brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Model Railroad brands, ranked
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1
KATO
Japanese maker whose Unitrack modular track clips together quickly, popular for N and HO layouts.
Top products: Unitrack Master Plan Set
Website: katousa.com |Brands like KATO
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Atlas
American line covering HO and N trains, track, and building kits such as passenger stations and fencing.
Top products: Passenger Train Station· Picket Fence & Gate
Popularity 7.6/10
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3
Woodland Scenics
Scenery specialist making ground foam, snow, concrete culverts and sound modules for realistic landscapes.
Top products: Just Plug Sound System· Concrete Culverts
Website: woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com |Brands like Woodland Scenics
Popularity 6.1/10
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4
Lionel
Classic American toy-train maker whose sets and electronic reversing units suit traditional, larger layouts.
Top products: Reversing Unit (E-Unit)
Website: lionel.com |Brands like Lionel
Popularity 5.4/10
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5
Bachmann
Spectrum HO diesels and steam engines with DCC-ready decoders, a common choice for operators running digital control on home layouts.
Website: shop.bachmanntrains.com |Brands like Bachmann
Popularity 5.4/10
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6
Walthers
Building kits and structures across many scales, from shops to guard shacks, plus a long-running catalogue.
Website: walthers.com |Brands like Walthers
Popularity 4.9/10
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7
TYCO
Tyco makes HO scale slot cars and track sets for home racing, and vintage Tyco models are now sought by collectors. Many of its sets still circulate on resale and auction sites, often with original bodies and track pieces. Buyers usually need a compatible track and controller to run the cars.
Website: tycois.com |Brands like TYCO
Popularity 3.8/10
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8
Athearn
Long-running HO and N maker of locomotives and rolling stock, with detailed models for serious modellers.
Website: athearn.com |Brands like Athearn
Popularity 3.6/10
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9
Rokuhan
Compact Z-scale trains from Japan, electronically controlled and aimed at tight, modern layouts.
Website: rokuhan.com |Brands like Rokuhan
Popularity 3.0/10
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10
Marx
The playset figures from Marx's Wild West and Pirates bring the American Old West to not only life but also pirate adventure on the open seas. A Marx playset allows you to create anything you can think of for hours...
Website: marxwildwest.com |Brands like Marx
Popularity 2.8/10
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11
Micro-Trains
It is probably an understatement to say that Micro-Trains is an expert in model trains. With over 80 years of expertise, the level of detail Micro-Trains puts into each of its models makes them some of the best and most...
Website: micro-trains.com |Brands like Micro-Trains
Popularity 2.4/10
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12
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13
FALLER
German maker of buildings, track and landscape items, including terrain mats and city accessories.
Website: faller.de |Brands like FALLER
Popularity 2.3/10
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14
MTH
Electric train maker offering sound-equipped locomotives and sets, mostly for larger-scale garden and indoor layouts.
Website: mthtrains.com |Brands like MTH
Popularity 2.3/10
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15
Overland Models
Brass scale models of locomotives and rolling stock, handcrafted and aimed at serious collectors.
Website: overlandmodels.com |Brands like Overland Models
Popularity 2.3/10
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16
PECO
UK track, points and accessories, widely used on finescale OO and N layouts.
Website: peco.com |Brands like PECO
Popularity 2.3/10
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17
Roundhouse
The Roundhouse is a meticulously restored edifice in Chippendale's center. The Age of Steam Museum and Australia's sole public miniature gauge railway are located here. It's all about trains, from its heritage-listed turntable to its collection of steam locomotives. It's...
Popularity 2.2/10
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18
Preiser
Preiser produces model figures in several scales, including HO, N, Z, 1, G and O, and is a German manufacturer. Its HO figures cover historical, military and other themes. The American distributor, Preiser U.S.A., sells these figures to model railway...
Website: preiserusa.com |Brands like Preiser
Popularity 2.1/10
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19
American Flyer
American Flyers: Flight & Pilot Schools Near Me Nothing can compete with the view, the speed and personal accomplishment of flying an airplane. Learn more about American Flyers' flight schools near you.
Popularity 1.8/10
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20
Metcalfe
Metcalfe produces N gauge railway models and ready-cut card building kits for hobbyists. The company is based in Britain, and its kits and scale trains let modellers recreate buildings, landscapes and railway scenes in miniature for their own layouts. Both...
Website: metcalfemodels.com |Brands like Metcalfe
Popularity 1.5/10
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21
TOMY
Don’t kids become headstrong when it comes to toys? This means every parent is bound to be concerned regarding the toys their kids play with passionately. Here’s where Tomy plays its magic! The company skillfully manufactures fun-learn toys and nursery...
Website: us.tomy.com |Brands like TOMY
Popularity 1.4/10
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22
Mantua
Mantua Model UK is a big name worldwide for its wooden vehicle models of cars and ships. They also sell all the supplies that are needed for making these models. They use different types of high-quality wood like Balsa wood...
Website: mantuamodel.co.uk |Brands like Mantua
Popularity 1.4/10
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23
Vollmer
If you need greater watch casings and bands, Vollmer is your partner. The company has been in business for almost 90 years and has developed its reputation via rigorous raw material selection, tight quality control, and close examination of every...
Website: ernst-vollmer.de |Brands like Vollmer
Popularity 1.4/10
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24
InterMountain
InterMountain Railway Company stocks and sells train boxcars of categories like HO scale, N scale, and Z scale. Offering varieties in colors and sizes, the brand masters this niche space and provides consumers with the detail that makes a difference....
Website: intermountain-railway.com |Brands like InterMountain
Popularity 1.3/10
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25
Hornby
In the United Kingdom, Hornby is a well-known brand in the model train hobby. In 1901, the company's founder, Frank Hornby, filed a patent application to protect an innovation called "Improvements in Toy or Educational Devices for Children and Young...
Website: hornby.com |Brands like Hornby
Popularity 1.3/10
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26
Bar Mills
Bar Mills is a unique brand hailing from the state of Maine. Every individual can rely on the company’s comprehensive models, from amateur builders to professional developers. The brand curates building models and layouts in the form of 3D blueprints...
Website: barmillsmodels.com |Brands like Bar Mills
Popularity 1.3/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KATO | katousa.com | /officialkatousainc | – | @KatoUSAInc | – |
| Woodland Scenics | woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com | /WoodlandScenics | woodlandscenics | @WoodlandScenics | Woodland Scenics |
| Lionel | lionel.com | /Lionel-Trains | lionel_trains | @Lionel_Trains | LionelModelTrains |
| Bachmann | shop.bachmanntrains.com | /Bachmann-Trains | – | @bachmanntrains | bachmanntrains |
| Walthers | walthers.com | /waltherstrains | waltherstrains | – | walthersmodeltrains |
| TYCO | tycois.com | /tycois | – | @Tyco_IS | Tyco Integrated Security |
| Athearn | athearn.com | /Athearn | – | @athearntrains | – |
| Rokuhan | rokuhan.com | – | – | – | – |
| Marx | marxwildwest.com | – | – | – | – |
Model Railroad Buying Guide
Model railroading is a hobby that has been enjoyed by people of all ages for centuries. It has been said that model railroading is one of the few hobbies where you can build something from scratch and watch it come to life. Model railroading has certainly become easier with the arrival of new technology, such as digital control systems and high-quality building kits. However, with all the options that are available, it can be challenging to figure out what to buy. Here are some pointers to help get you started:
Beginner or Advanced?
The first thing to consider when shopping for a model railroad is your skill level. Are you a beginner or an advanced model railroader? If you're just starting out, you'll want to focus on the basics. You'll want to start with a starter kit or a set that comes with everything you need to get started. These kits usually come with pre-made track, locomotives, and rolling stock. They're great for beginners because they're easy to set up, and you can start playing with them right away.
If you're an advanced model railroad enthusiast, you'll want to consider building your layout from scratch. You'll want to start with a simple track plan and then add buildings, scenery, and other features as you go. You'll also want to invest in higher-quality locomotives, rolling stock, and digital control systems. Building a layout from scratch can be challenging, but it's also very rewarding. You'll be able to customize every aspect of your layout to fit your needs and preferences.
Scale
Scale is another important consideration when shopping for a model railroad. Scale refers to the size of the model compared to the real thing. For example, an HO scale locomotive is 1/87th the size of a real locomotive. There are several different scales to choose from, including:
- N scale (1:160)
- HO scale (1:87)
- O scale (1:48)
- G scale (1:22.5)
If you're just starting out with model railroading, HO scale is probably the best choice for you. HO scale is the most popular scale, which means that you'll have the widest selection of locomotives, rolling stock, and accessories to choose from. N scale is also a good choice for those with limited space, as it's much smaller than HO scale. If you have a large space to work with, O scale and G scale are great choices. These larger scales can be more expensive, but they're ideal for creating elaborate layouts with lots of detail.
Quality
Quality is another important consideration when shopping for a model railroad. Cheap models may be tempting, but they're usually of lower quality and may not run as smoothly. Higher-quality models may cost more, but they're usually more reliable and will last longer. It's essential to invest in high-quality locomotives, rolling stock, and track if you want your model railroad to run well and look great. Also, keep in mind that quality extends to other aspects of your model railroad, such as buildings, scenery, and other accessories. Investing in high-quality items will give your layout a more realistic look and feel.
Budget
Before you start shopping for a model railroad, you'll want to figure out your budget. Model railroading can be an expensive hobby, and it's easy to overspend. Set a budget and stick to it. Make a list of the items you need and stick to it. Don't be tempted to buy items that you don't need or that don't fit into your budget. Remember, you can always add to your layout as you go, so there's no need to buy everything at once.
Accessories
Accessories are an essential part of any model railroad. They can add depth and realism to your layout. There are many different accessories to choose from, such as:
- Buildings
- Scenery
- Figures
- Signs
- Street lights
- Ground cover
- Trackside details
- Bridges and tunnels
When selecting accessories, keep in mind your layout scale, quality, and budget. You'll want to choose items that are the right size and scale for your layout. You'll also want to invest in high-quality items that will last a long time. Don't buy too many accessories at once, as they can add up quickly. Stick to your budget and only buy the items that you need.
Conclusion
Model railroading is a fascinating hobby that can provide hours of entertainment and creativity. As with any hobby, you'll want to invest time and energy into planning and building your model railroad. When shopping for a model railroad, make sure to consider your skill level, scale, quality, budget, and accessories. With a little planning and effort, you'll be able to create a beautiful model railroad that's perfect for you.
