About Athearn

Model railroading is a timeless hobby. It's a favorite pastime that has been shared by fathers and sons, grandparents and grandchildren, and friends young and old. Everyone remembers their first train set. That's why for more than 60 years, we've delivered a wide range of top-quality models in a variety of scales. Athearn® trains share the detail, high-quality and value that appeal to all modelers. Wherever you go in the hobby-from buying your first set to building your dream layout-we're here to help you every step of the way.

For the Best in Miniature Railroading: Athearn HO and Trains Sets

A Brand For Every Modeler

Genesis is the top-of-the-line Athearn brand. Genesis® HO-scale steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock take model realism to the highest level. They are world-famous for highly developed features, prototypical detailing and real life sound. Genesis locomotives are available with your choice of DCC-ready or dual-function DC/DCC decoder, soundboard and speaker. This level of authenticity is simply unparalleled.

Authenticity, value and quality. They are all key to the Athearn Ready To Roll® HO lineup, which consists of a broad selection of fully assembled diesel locomotives, rolling stock and vehicles. The Ready To Roll line represents the diesel-transition era to today. It features the most exciting and attractive eras of railroading. All models are ready to hit the track right out of the box.

Intricately detailed and fully assembled models make up the Athearn N Scale line. From locomotives to rolling stockand even a selection of highly detailed vehiclesthese models will make any trackside scene more realistic. They are hobby-quality items sure to provide family fun for a long time. Each N Scale model is packed with cool features like separately applied details and SoundTraxx® Tsunami® sound. Many are DCC-ready with or without sound.

Athearn Precision Die Cast models are licensed replicas. They are highly authentic-looking, and most come with separately applied detail parts and razor-sharp painting and printing. This line shares the attention to detail hobbyists expect from Athearn, just on a bigger scale.

Roundhouse has been dedicated to crafting models with the finest care since 1938. The Roundhouse® brand emphasizes the early years of steam era railroading and offers collectors quality products at a genuine value.

McHenry offers a trusted line of quality, long-lasting HO-scale model railroad couplers. The lineup includes McHenry® N Scale couplers too. McHenry products are known for being easy to use, effective and affordable.

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 announcementsGenesis 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