| Lima model trains have a more interesting history than | | | | falling further and further behind in sales. |
| most scale railroad manufactures. The company | | | | Seeing their defeat in the American market they |
| founded in Vecenza, Italy actual began making real | | | | turned their attention to the markets in mainland Europe |
| parts for real railroads in 1946. However, the need for | | | | and in 1982 began to concentrate on manufacturing |
| this company to make such parts was short lived and | | | | and marketing higher and higher quality miniature |
| the necessity arose for this company to find some | | | | railroads. The business would thrive due to these |
| other product to produce or go belly up. So the | | | | changes for another 20 years until 2004 when the |
| powers that be decided that making cars and tracks | | | | company would find itself in financial turmoil and no |
| for miniature railroads was the way to go. | | | | longer able to hold its head above water. |
| The first Lima model trains hit the market in 1953. | | | | The company was bought out by Hornsby International |
| These toys were exactly that, very primitive low | | | | who still makes the miniature trains that the original |
| budget trains that were no worse than many in the | | | | company began. However, as a company Lima model |
| market for those days but, certainly no better. | | | | trains no longer exists although its legacy lives on. |
| However, as time went on the Lima company | | | | Due to the small scale manufacturing of their limited |
| gradually began improving the quality of their railroad | | | | editions certain Lima products have become rare |
| parts and adding more and more detail to locomotives | | | | collectors items selling for far more than other vintage |
| and cars. These improvements did not go unnoticed | | | | model train parts and cars. This has aided a continuing |
| and many scale railroad enthusiasts across Europe | | | | interest in this company and their products especially |
| began collecting these railroad cars and accessories. | | | | some of the rare vintage cars and accessories. Which |
| As Lima model trains grew they concentrated on | | | | means that although the company did not survive the |
| many small limited editions of their products, keeping | | | | product has in the hearts, minds and homes of scale |
| them in high demand among the European and later | | | | train collectors. Those who own some of these limited |
| world markets. During their 50 year run this company | | | | editions show them off with pride and point both to this |
| produced over a 100 different models in unique limited | | | | companies humble beginnings and its successful years. |
| production runs. | | | | True collectors haunt hobby shops, antique sales and |
| They branched out into other countries and by 1970 | | | | on line miniature train galleries looking for more of these |
| they were a leading manufacturer of scale railroads in | | | | limited edition Lima model trains to add to their |
| the world. Their line was even a big hit in the United | | | | collections. Due to their popularity this companies |
| States for awhile. However this company found it | | | | railroads are sure to be around for a long time to |
| increasing difficult to keep up with improvements in | | | | come for the few people lucky enough to own and |
| details and running capabilities of the American | | | | collect them. |
| manufactured scale railroads and found themselves | | | | |