HO Scale Athearn Model Trains
Athearn is a well known model train manufacturer that started out as a retailer in 1946. Irv Athearn, the founder, started out with a few O scale models his mother gave him. He rebuilt the model trains and made them more expensive than the original price. He eventually used his skills and experience to offer products of high quality. The company was first to produce the “reefer kit” – one of the first type of model trains that could be used right out of the box. The founder passed away in 1991 but the company strived to expand their line through different acquisitions which offered additional models to different scales. The company is currently owned by Horizon Hobby Inc, but Athearn Model Trains kept its identity and was even expanded through additional licensing.
The company introduced HO scale model in 1948 when Irv Athearn purchased a factory that would later introduce the reefer kit. Aside from the kit, the company was also first to introduce flywheels in 1973. Flywheels were introduced in F45 and FP45 model trains. Athearn was also first to introduce the “Hi-F” and was also used in their HO scales. These innovations were created by the founder himself and these innovations made him one of the most recognized persons in train model industry.