Lima Model Trains - Once a Giant Amongst Model Train Enthusiasts, But Sadly No More

Although Lima model trains are still popularselling intriquately crafted replicas of the originals,
amongst collectors, it seems that their heyday isLima never seemed to quite match up to the
long gone and the likes of Hornby and Bachmannsame level of realism and innovation. In fact, their
dominate the model railroad market. But this wasrange unfortunately became known more for
not always the case.their 'toy' trains and this really was not good in a
In the 1940's, Lima began producing budget linesmarket of enthusiasts that was becoming more
of products and quickly realised that they had hitsophisticated and demanding in their requirements.
upon a niche in the market that had not beenDesperately trying to stay afloat, Lima attempted
fulfilling the requirements of the train hobbyist.several mergers which ultimately failed and in
The popularity of their products grew steadily and2004 they admitted defeat and ceased trading.
by the 1960's, they were being acknowledged asAlthough they are no longer trading, at the height
the most successful supplier of model trainof their success, Lima was able to manufacture
equipment in Europe.reasonably small quantities of each product, as
During the 1980's Lima expanded their range tocosts were kept lower than their main
include higher quality and higher priced ranges.competitors. This resulted in certain models
Unfortunately, possibly they had become stuckbecoming extremely rare and therefore much
with the idea of the less detailed models, theysought after by collectors. A rare model Lima can
had previously manufactured for so long, theydemand a price of $150.00, compared to the
failed to grasp the specification that the hobbyist$50.00 usually asked for a locomotive.
now demanded. While their competitors were