| One of the most famous names in model train | | | | positioned to sell globally and were losing money. |
| history are the Bachmann model trains. The | | | | Bachmann Bros. sold the company to Kader who |
| history of the company which made Bachmann a | | | | was the manufacturer of Bachmann products. |
| household name goes back way before they | | | | From this sale, Bachmann industries was born and |
| started making model trains. The company goes | | | | the company began selling globally. Even with a |
| as far back as 1833, though they did not start | | | | dwindling interest in model trains, the company |
| making model trains until 1966 when the N scale | | | | was able to stay profitable. |
| model train started to gain popularity in the United | | | | In order to appeal to a broader market, the |
| States. Having a history of creating plastic | | | | Bachmann model train company came out with a |
| products, the company was perfectly suited to | | | | new product line called Spectrum. The Spectrum |
| create trains and accessories, which were sold in | | | | line was kept completely separate from the |
| a plastic shell that was their trademark. Plasticville | | | | Bachmann line in order to cement the product as |
| USA was the first model train product, which put | | | | a luxury model train line. They did not want there |
| the company into the minds of model railroaders. | | | | to be any relation between the luxury Spectrum |
| Plasticville USA was something, which was sold | | | | line and the Bachmann industries toy model trains |
| previous to the first Bachmann model train. These | | | | which had sold up until that point. These trains |
| were plastic buildings and other accessories, which | | | | offered much more detail at a much higher price. |
| would fit in with the trains being sold by other | | | | Made of metal with plastic gears, the company |
| companies. While they were not producing any | | | | was able to keep costs down while building |
| model trains themselves, it did not prevent them | | | | revenue from those who were serious about |
| from being known in every home as having fine | | | | model railroading. |
| model train products. These products are still sold | | | | As an effort to reach the middle of the road, |
| in conjunction with model train sets by Lionel to | | | | Bachmann model trains began selling Bachmann |
| this day. While some may argue the pieces are | | | | Plus in 1992. These trains had more detail than the |
| nothing but mere toys, it opened the door to the | | | | regular Bachmann line, but not nearly as much as |
| ornate layouts created to this day. | | | | the Spectrum line. The creation of the line signified |
| While the N scale was the original line of | | | | the move of production to China. Eventually the |
| Bachmann models, they quickly made changes in | | | | Bachmann plus line was dissolved and was |
| order to expand into the HO scale. They could | | | | replaced by the silver series. This is the middle |
| foresee at the time the HO scale would become | | | | grade that is sold today by Bachmann industries |
| the most popular scale to date, which it has. | | | | for those who aspire to have the Spectrum |
| Unfortunately for the company, they were not | | | | series, but cannot quite afford it yet. |