OUR STORY
Who We Are
We are inspired by God to have a positive and meaningful influence on the world. Our values are the cornerstone of our business and are the basis for every action and decision we make. We live this through servant leadership, the Golden Rule ("Do Unto Others"), and taking care of our internal and external customers.
What We Do
ScaleTrains™, founded in 2014, is an innovative model train manufacturer headquartered in Cleveland, Tennessee. Our brands include Museum Quality™, Rivet Counter™, Operator™, Fox Valley Models™, Kit Classics™, and S-Helper Service™. We offer products for every skill level and budget and specialize in three scales (sizes): HO, N, and S. Our model railroad offerings include diesel and steam locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, containers, and more.


SCALE TRAINS, BIG DREAMS
HOW MODEL TRAINS ARE MADE


Museum Quality™ models are historically accurate replicas of the most famous locomotives in North American railroading history. Exhaustive research and a commitment to perfection combine to create the ultimate scale model. Museum Quality trains establish new standards which make them just as legendary as the original.


The Rivet Counter™ line strives to create the most accurately detailed models imaginable. The real-world counterpart is meticulously researched to ensure prototype fidelity. Each model features numerous factory applied parts including roadname and road number specific details whenever possible.


The Rivet Counter™ line strives to create the most accurately detailed models imaginable. The real-world counterpart is meticulously researched to ensure prototype fidelity. Each model features numerous factory applied parts including roadname and road number specific details whenever possible.


Operator™ trains are built for modelers who enjoy running high-quality, realistic trains at an affordable price. Designed from builder’s drawings and photographs, Operator models have fewer factory-applied parts and simplified printing. For added versatility, super-detail parts are available separately..


Operator™ trains are built for modelers who enjoy running high-quality, realistic trains at an affordable price. Designed from builder’s drawings and photographs, Operator models have fewer factory-applied parts and simplified printing. For added versatility, super-detail parts are available separately..


Relive the Golden Years of model railroading with Kit Classics™ freight car kits. When you assemble these simple kits, you’ll rediscover fond memories of power packs, sectional track, shake-the-box kits, and dreams of creating your own model railroad empire.


Fox Valley Models™ is the intersection of value and accuracy, giving modelers quality options to recreate their favorite railroad(s). Designed to capture the spirit of the prototype, locomotives and freight cars include separately-applied, railroad-specific details whenever possible. The Fox Valley Models line is comprised of tooling acquired from ExactRail™ (Express™ and Evolution™ brands), Fox Valley Models, and MTH Electric Trains™.


S-Helper Service™ locomotives and freight cars take Traditional ScaleTrains™ to the next level with scale dimensions and separately-applied detail parts. S-Helper Service models are ready-to-run and designed to appeal to both toy train enthusiasts and scale modelers. With S-Helper Service trains, you can experience the perfect size with scale details.
OUR HISTORY
2014
February
First trip to China: open an Engineering Office; find a toolmaker and factory
May
Official first day - May 5, 2021
June
First Strategic Planning session
2015
August
First email newsletter
Fall
Acquired the Office/warehouse space in East Tennessee
November
Company and first models are unveiled at Trainfest in Milwaukee, WI
First order; Jim S., Indianapolis, IN
“Scale Trains, Big Dreams” documentary by TrainMastersTV premiers
December
First Meet & Greet: Chattanooga, TN
2016
January
First freight car in stock - Kit Classic HO Evans 53' 5100 RBL Boxcar
July
Keynote address at the NMRA Convention in Indianapolis, IN
September
First locomotive in stock - Museum Quality HO GTEL 8500 “Big Blow”
October
First N Scale model in stock
2017
February
First N Scale locomotive in stock – Rivet Counter GTEL 8500 “Big Blow” Turbine
March
First “Meet & Greet” tour: New Jersey and New York
2018
January
First new product livestream announcement at The Railroad Hobby Show in W. Springfield, MA
June
Began offering packaged ESU decoders
November
Voted “Best Diesel Locomotives” by viewers of JLWII2000 on YouTube
2019
May
“Choo Choo City Rails” SER Convention
First ScaleTrains Openhouse Event at Benton, TN
Hiwassee River Rail Adventure Train Ride
July
- Steam Locomotive #2716 Arrives at Kentucky Steam in Ravenna, KY ScaleTrains Donates Proceeds from "Spirit of Ravenna" ET44 Model to #2716 Restoration
- Attended the unveiling of the CSX #3194 Police “Pride in Service” locomotive
August
First HO Flatcar announced - BSC F68AH Bulkhead
September
First ScaleTrains Layout Tour Published on YouTube
November
-How Model Trains Are Made Filmed at ScaleTrains Factory
-First 1960s Era Locomotive Announced at TrainsFest: EMD SD45
-First HO Scale Autorack Car Announced: Multi-Max™
2020
January
February
Second Meet & Greet Tour: Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland
How Model Trains Are Made: The Production Phase Published on YouTube
N Scale DASH-9 announced
April
2021
January
#50in50 announced
- Second Musuem Quality Locomotive Announced - HO EMD SDL39
April
All-new eCommerce platform and Re-Branding
2022
January
February
Second Meet & Greet Tour: Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland
How Model Trains Are Made: The Production Phase Published on YouTube
N Scale DASH-9 announced
April
2023
January
#50in50 announced
- Second Musuem Quality Locomotive Announced - HO EMD SDL39
April
All-new eCommerce platform and Re-Branding
2024
January
February
Second Meet & Greet Tour: Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland
How Model Trains Are Made: The Production Phase Published on YouTube
N Scale DASH-9 announced
April
2025
January
#50in50 announced
- Second Musuem Quality Locomotive Announced - HO EMD SDL39
April
All-new eCommerce platform and Re-Branding
See the new look of our benchmark rebrand of SCALETRAINS.
The beginning of an era...