| The Bachmann brand is the leading seller, by volume, | | | | named Big Haulers. Its most famous G scale train is |
| of model trains in the world. The company specializes | | | | the Emmett Kelly Jr. circus train, which first appeared in |
| in inexpensive but high-quality entry-level train sets for | | | | 1993. The train set, with its special design and animal |
| the mass market. | | | | cage cars, quickly became a collectors' item. |
| Bachmann was founded in 1833 in Philadelphia, | | | | Bachmann introduced its "Spectrum" line of higher |
| Pennsylvania as a manufacturer of vanity products | | | | quality equipment in 1988. Spectrum equipment has |
| such as parasol handles, combs made of ivory, and | | | | updated motors, more realistic design, and better detail |
| handles for walking canes. The company evolved | | | | than the company's standard products. |
| over the years and, after World War II, began to | | | | Since 2006, the company has been focusing on |
| manufacture its Plasticville USA line of kits for making | | | | implementing a Digital Command Control ("DCC") |
| snap-together accessories - such as houses, stores, | | | | system in its products. To accomplish this, Bachmann |
| and other buildings for model train layouts. By the | | | | has partnered with the German company Lenz |
| mid-1960s, Bachmann had begun to manufacture N | | | | Elektronik, GmbH. All of Bachmann's trains have DCC. |
| scale (HO scale came a few years later) train | | | | Today the company offers trains in the following |
| products. Soon, the company became known for | | | | scales: HO, N, O, On30, and what they call the Large |
| packaging its cars in jewel cases. | | | | Scale. |
| Perceiving a lessening in the demand for model | | | | Bachmann is one of the oldest and most respected |
| railroading products, the company's owners in 1981 | | | | manufacturers of scale model railway locomotives in |
| decided to sell the business to the Kader Group | | | | the world. Their reputation has continued to increase |
| (Kader Holdings Co. Ltd.), a Hong Kong-based maker | | | | while many of its competitors have gone out of |
| of plastic, electronic, and stuffed toys, as well as model | | | | business. Their well-deserved reputation is based on a |
| trains. Kader used the brand to expand worldwide. As | | | | steady attention to detail a dedication to high |
| of 1992, all of its model train cars are manufactured in | | | | standards. According to all indications, Bachmann is |
| China. | | | | here to stay in model railroading. Whoever wants to |
| In 1990 Bachmann entered the large-scale segment of | | | | center his or her train collection on the Bachmann |
| the model train industry with its G scale train sets | | | | brand won't go wrong in the long run. |