History of Athearn
1938
Musicians Jerry Joice and Perry Bodkin establish a hobby store called Roundhouse at
1301 North Catalina Street in Hollywood, California. The business is soon taken over by
part-time employees C.H. Menteer and C.A. Voelckel. Shortly after assuming leadership, they
are hired to build models for Cecil B. DeMille's film Union Pacific.
Irv Athearn begins
building an O-scale model railroad at his mother's home.
1939
Roundhouse Products introduces its HO-scale 0-6-0 steam locomotive as a brass and lead alloy kit.
1942
World War II forces Roundhouse Products to suspend operation in February.
1943
After receiving a large response to an ad about his O-scale model railroad, Irv
Athearn establishes Athearn Trains in Miniature and sells model railroad supplies.
1946
Menteer & Voelckel's company is now called Model Die Casting, Inc. and resumes
production of the Roundhouse Products line by summer.Irv Athearn becomes a full-time
retailer of model railroading supplies.
1948
Model Die Casting relocates to Los Angeles, California. Irv Athearn moves his
business from his mother's home to a separate location in Hawthorne, California.
1951
Athearn purchases Globe Models on July 2. The Globe Models name is retained until 1956.
1952
Athearn introduces the 200-Ton Crane in die-cast metal.
1953
Athearn introduces the all-metal RDC-1, RDC-2, RDC-3 and RDC-4.
1954
The Globe Models F7 is introduced as an unpowered kit. A gear drive is added later.
1955
Model Die Casting relocates to Hawthorne, California.
1956
C.H. Menteer becomes sole owner of Model Die Casting.
1957
Athearn introduces the Hi-F Belt Drive for the F7, and the GP9 and Hustler
locomotives. A number of plastic car kits are released, including the Cupola
Caboose, 40' Box Car, 3-Dome Tank Car, Heavy-Duty Flat Car, 40' Steel Refrigerator Car, and
the Streamlined RPO, Coach, Vista Dome and Observation.
1958
Athearn introduces the plastic-bodied RDC-1 and RDC-3, powered by the Hi-F Drive, and a
plastic version of the 200-Ton Crane.
1959
Athearn introduces the 4-6-2 steam locomotive with the Hi-F Drive, as well as the 50' Double
Door Box Car, Quad Hopper and Pickle Cars.
1961
Athearn introduces a gear-drive version of the 4-6-2 and a gear-driven 0-4-2T and
0-6-0.
1962
Athearn introduces the GP30.
1963
Athearn introduces freight cars with RP-25 wheels.
1964
Athearn introduces the "ring-magnet" motor for diesel locomotives.
1966
Athearn introduces the GP35, SD45, SDP40, DD40 and SW1500 Cow & Calf.
1970
Athearn introduces the Alco PA1/PB1.
1971
Athearn introduces the U28B, U28C, U30B, U30C, U33B and U33C.
1973
Athearn introduces the F45 and FP45 with Athearn's first flywheel drive. The flywheel
drive is also added to most of the other Athearn locomotives. Notable exceptions
include the RDCs and Hustler, which still use the Hi-F drive, and the DD40. The F7s
are available with or without flywheels. The S12 and SD9 are also introduced with the
flywheel drive.
1979
Athearn introduces the H24-66 Trainmaster. Model Die Casting introduces an
N Scale product line.
1984
Athearn improves the locomotive line with a new drive that has new narrower motors
and new handrail stantions. New plastic EMD Blomberg Truck Sideframes are applied to the
F7, GP9 and GP35. Athearn introduces the SD40-2 and SD40T-2 Tunnel Motor. With the new
narrow motors, they are Athearn's first hood units to feature scale-width hoods. Model Die
Casting introduces the Shay steam locomotive kit.
1985
Model Die Casting introduces the Alco RS3 diesel locomotive kit.
1986
Athearn introduces the GP38-2.
1987
Athearn introduces the GP50.
1990
Athearn introduces the GP40-2, SW1000 & SW1500. The old SW1500 Cow & Calf is now correctly
called an SW7.
1991
Irv Athearn passes away. Athearn introduces the Impack Articulated TOFC Spine Car.
1992
Athearn introduces the 50' Modern Double-Door Box Car.
1993
Model Die Casting relocates to Carson City, Nevada.
1994
Athearn is sold to new owners. Athearn introduces the MAXI-III and Husky-Stack Well Cars.
1995
Athearn introduces the GP60, GP50 Phase II and C44-9W. The DD40 is released with
flywheels. In September, the non-flywheel version of the F7 is discontinued. From this point
on, the only difference between the Standard and Super-Powered F7s is the large weight.
1996
Athearn introduces the AC4400CW. Model Die Casting introduces new can motors.
1997
Athearn introduces the AMD-103. In June, Athearn announces the development of the SD70-series for
the Genesis line. In October, Athearn announces the development of the Bombardier Bi-Level
Commuter Cars.
1998
On July 2, Athearn purchases the F-Unit tooling by Paul Lubliner from Highliners to be used
in the Genesis line. Highliners retains the rights to sell the F-Units in undecorated kit form.
1999
Athearn releases the Genesis SD70-series and announces the Genesis 2-8-2 steam locomotive. In
October, Athearn announces an improved version of the SD40-2 that will replace the existing models.
2000
The Athearn RDC-1 and RDC-3 are officially discontinued due to a damaged frame mold.
2001
Athearn introduces the Ready To Roll Line. Model Die Casting introduces Ready To Run versions of
some locomotives and cars rolling stock.
Athearn secures Ford licensing
New tooling announcements
Ready To Roll F59PHi; Ford C series begins
2002
Athearn acquires Rail Power Products. Athearn acquires the tooling for four 50' Box Cars
from Details West. They are later released in the Ready To Roll line. Athearn introduces the
N Scale product line.
Athearn secures John Deere licensing
New tooling announcements
Genesis Auto-Max; Trinity 10-Panel Covered Hopper
Ready To Roll Ford C series begins
N F59PHi; Ford C series begins � Tractor, Box Truck, Stakebed, Fire Trucks
2003
Athearn announces their first locomotive equipped with sound
Athearn secures USPS licensing
New tooling announcements
Genesis 4-6-6-4 Challenger; TBOX
Ready To Roll SD50, CF7; GP60M/GP60B; Coalporter; Ford C Fire Truck program begins
including pumper, rescue, and Telesqurt
N Auto-Max; Bethgon Coalporter
2004
Athearn is puchased by Horizon Hobby. On June 14, Model Die Casting is purchased by
Horizon Hobby. The Roundhouse name will be used only for HO-scale Pre-WWII products, with
the rest of the Roundhouse line under the Athearn name.
Athearn secures Mack licensing
Athearn begins offering 1/50-scale die cast
New tooling announcements
Genesis SD45T-2
Ready To Roll GP35 reintroduced with ex-Rail Power Products shell, SD60; FMC 4700 Covered
Hopper; Mack B & R series begin � Tow Truck, Dump Truck, Cement Mixer, Tractor
N SD70 series; SD75 series
2005
New tooling announcements
Genesis MP15AC Switcher; SD45-2
Ready To Roll SD35; SD40 RS-3; HO PS-2 2893 Covered Hopper; 65' 6� Mill Gondola
Roundhouse 40' Pfaudler Milk Car
N 40' Pfaudler Milk Car; PS-2 2893 Covered Hopper; 65' 6� Mill Gondola
2006
On May 31, McHenry Couplers is purchased by Horizon Hobby.
New tooling announcements
Genesis Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy
Ready To Roll GP40X; 50' Santa Fe Ice Reefer; ACF 2970 Covered Hopper; HO PS2 2003 2-Bay
Covered Hopper; 30,000 Gallon Ethanol Tank Car; 16,000 Gallon Clay Slurry Tank Car; Ford F-100
series begins � Pickup and Panel Truck
N 4-6-6-4 Challenger; 50' Santa Fe Ice Reefer; N 30,000 Gallon Ethanol Tank Car; Mack B & R
series begin � Tow Truck, Dump Truck, Cement Mixer, Tractor
2007
In July, Athearn acquires the tooling for several trailers from A-Line. They are later
released in the Ready To Roll line.
New Tooling
Genesis F45/FP45; Union Pacific FEF 4-8-4 Northern
Ready To Roll SD40T-2 tooling upgrade; SD45; PS-2 2600 Covered Hopper; Ford Model A series
begins � Coupe, Sedan, Pickup, Woody, Delivery, Huckster, Telephone Truck, Tow Truck;
Ford F-850 series begins � Fire Trucks, Stakebed, Box Vans, Tow Truck, Cement Mixer, Grain
Truck, Boom Truck
N Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy
2008
In September, Athearn acquires the Tower 55 line tooling from Overland Models to be used in
the Genesis line.
New Tooling
Genesis Southern Pacific Mt-4 4-8-2 Mountain; Southern Pacific Chair Car
Ready To Roll Slab Side Turbine, SW1000 and SW1500 tooling upgrade; Trinity 57' All Purpose Spine
Car; RTC 20,900 Gallon General Service Tank Car; 30' NACC 8,000 Gallon Tank Car; 13,600 Gallon
Acid Tank Car; Checker A8 Taxi; Flxible Bus
Roundhouse 85' Pullman Palace Passenger Car
N F45/FP45; PS-2 2600 Covered Hopper; Flxible Bus
2009
Athearn establishes a relationship with SoundTraxx to begin offering locomotives with
Tsunami sound
McHenry begins offering N scale couplers. New tooling announcements�Genesis FP7; GP15-1; Ready
To Roll Veranda Turbine; GATC 2600 Airslide Covered Hopper; RTC 20,900 Gallon Acid Tank
Car; 33,900 Gallon LPG Tank Car Early & Late Versions; 40' Wood Chip Hopper; HO Yard
Tractor; Grain Truck N GATC 2600 Airslide Covered Hopper; ACF 2970 Covered Hopper; 40' Wood
Chip Hopper; 33,900 Gallon LPG Tank Car Early & Late Versions; Bay Window Caboose
2010
Athearn releases the Genesis SD70ACe based on former Tower 55 tooling.
Athearn secures UPS Licensing
New tooling announcements
Genesis SD70M-2; 50' GATC 20,000 Gallon SHN Type 40 General Service Tank Car; 50' GATC 20,000
Gallon SHN Type 30 Acid Tank Car; F89F 89' Flat Car; 50' PC&F Boxcar with 8'+6' Landis Doors
Ready To Roll U50
N F59PHi available with Tsunami Sound for the first time
2011
New tooling announcements
Genesis GP7 & GP9; DDA40X "Centennial"; GP15T; Southern Pacific Bay Window Caboose; 50' GATC
20,000 Gallon SHN Type 40 Acid Tank Car; 50' PC&F Box Car with 8'+8' Landis Doors
Ready To Roll 24' Ore HopperRoundhouse ex-MDC Arch Roof Passenger Car upgrade