N Scale Athearn Model Trains
Athearn was founded by Irv Athearn; a lifelong model train enthusiast who used his natural fondness of model trains to become one of the most recognized personalities in the model scale train industry. He established the company in 1946 as a retailer and started manufacturing model scale trains in 1948 with O scale. The HO scale was also introduced later that year. The founder passed away in 1991 but the company stayed as it is for a few years. The company was eventually taken over by new owners in 1994. After more than 60 years of operation, the company was sold to Hornby with its identity still intact.
Athearn is notable for its O and HO scale models. The company only introduced their version of the N scale model when the new owners took over in 1994. The N scale models still have the same distinct features of Athearn but most of them are now pre-assembled for easier set up. The Hi-F mechanism of Athearn is still found in N scale models as well as its unique magnet motors which increase control of the model train’s motor. Athearn was able to adapt perfectly to the smaller scale which continued their dominance in the industry today.