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.

SHOP MUSEUM QUALITY

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.

SHOP RIVET COUNTER

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.

SHOP RIVET COUNTER

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..

SHOP RIVET COUNTER

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..

SHOP RIVET COUNTER

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.

SHOP RIVET COUNTER

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™.

SHOP RIVET COUNTER

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.

SHOP RIVET COUNTER

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...