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Model Train Categories

Athearn HO Scale Model Railroads & Trains

Model Train Categories


Athearn was founded in 1938 when Irv Athearn built an elaborate O gauge model railroad layout in his mother’s basement. He received impressive responses while selling the layout, and this inspired him to go into the model railroad business. He began selling model train items out of his mother’s house and named the business Athearn Trains in Miniature in 1943.

In 1948, Athearn moved the business to a facility in Hawthorne, California. Irv Athearn continued to operate the business until his death in 1991. Athearn was sold to new owners in 1994, and was purchased by current owners Horizon Hobby in 2004. Horizon Hobby also purchased Model Die Casting, originators of the Roundhouse brand, as well as McHenry Couplers. All trains are now sold under the Athearn name.

In the '40s, Athearn’s first products were metal HO and O scale model railroad kits. Athearn currently sells HO and N scale model trains under the following brands: Genesis HO, Athearn Ready to Roll HO, Athearn N scale, Athearn Precision Die Cast, Roundhouse, and McHenry HO and N scale couplers. These lines offer models at a wide range of quality and prices.


Quick Facts

  • Beginning in 1958, and continuing through the early '60s, Athearn licensed HO model trains for resale by Lionel. These trains were sold as the Lionel HO line
  • Athearn produced most of the model trains sold by Cox from 1971 to 1977
  • Athearn also supplied Atlas with freight cars to be sold with Atlas engines in the late '70s

Recommended Items at Auction

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Athearn Genesis G9202 HO Union Pacific #821 4-8-4 FEF Northern Steam Locomotive & Tender OB
Apr 24, 10:00 AM EDT
Athearn Genesis G9202 HO Union Pacific #821 4-8-4 FEF Northern Steam Locomotive & Tender OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $300
$707 Bids
Athearn Genesis G9204 HO Union Pacific #840 4-8-4 FEF Northern Steam Locomotive & Tender OB
Apr 24, 10:00 AM EDT
Athearn Genesis G9204 HO Union Pacific #840 4-8-4 FEF Northern Steam Locomotive & Tender OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $300
$706 Bids
Athearn HO ATH71601 Southern Pacific EMD SD39 Diesel Engine W/Sound OB
Apr 24, 10:00 AM EDT
Athearn HO ATH71601 Southern Pacific EMD SD39 Diesel Engine W/Sound OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $180
$605 Bids
Athearn Genesis G9203 HO Union Pacific #826 4-8-4 FEF Northern Steam Locomotive & Tender OB
Apr 24, 10:00 AM EDT
Athearn Genesis G9203 HO Union Pacific #826 4-8-4 FEF Northern Steam Locomotive & Tender OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $300
$605 Bids
Twelve Athearn & Walthers Amtra California k F59PHI Diesel Engine & Passenger Cars. OB
Apr 24, 10:00 AM EDT
Twelve Athearn & Walthers Amtra California k F59PHI Diesel Engine & Passenger Cars. OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $300
$805 Bids
Athearn Genesis G9205 HO Union Pacific #844 4-8-4 FEF Northern Steam Locomotive & Tender OB
Apr 24, 10:00 AM EDT
Athearn Genesis G9205 HO Union Pacific #844 4-8-4 FEF Northern Steam Locomotive & Tender OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $300
$605 Bids
Athearn Genesis G9206 HO Union Pacific #820 4-8-4 FEF Northern Steam Locomotive & Tender OB
Apr 24, 10:00 AM EDT
Athearn Genesis G9206 HO Union Pacific #820 4-8-4 FEF Northern Steam Locomotive & Tender OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $300
$604 Bids
Six Assorted HO Engines, Athearn, Mantua, & Other Diesel & Steam Locomotive.
Apr 24, 10:00 AM EDT
Six Assorted HO Engines, Athearn, Mantua, & Other Diesel & Steam Locomotive.
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $110
$404 Bids
Two Athearn HO Southern Pacific Diesel Engines SD40 & SD45 W/Sound OB
Apr 24, 10:00 AM EDT
Two Athearn HO Southern Pacific Diesel Engines SD40 & SD45 W/Sound OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $200
$804 Bids
5 Athearn HO Napa Valley Pass Cars
May 01, 10:00 AM EDT
5 Athearn HO Napa Valley Pass Cars
by Weiss Auctions
Est: $60- $120
$402 Bids
50+ STORE STOCK Athearn HO Freight Kits
May 01, 10:00 AM EDT
50+ STORE STOCK Athearn HO Freight Kits
by Weiss Auctions
Est: $150- $300
$2102 Bids
19 Store Stock Athearn HO Freights
May 01, 10:00 AM EDT
19 Store Stock Athearn HO Freights
by Weiss Auctions
Est: $100- $200
$602 Bids
19 Store Stock Athearn HO Freights
May 01, 10:00 AM EDT
19 Store Stock Athearn HO Freights
by Weiss Auctions
Est: $100- $200
$602 Bids
6 Assorted Athearn HO Snow Plow/Tender
May 01, 10:00 AM EDT
6 Assorted Athearn HO Snow Plow/Tender
by Weiss Auctions
Est: $100- $200
$501 Bid
100+ STORE STOCK Athearn HO Freight Kits
May 01, 10:00 AM EDT
100+ STORE STOCK Athearn HO Freight Kits
by Weiss Auctions
Est: $200- $400
$1001 Bid
4 Athearn HO Well Car 5-packs, Plus
May 01, 10:00 AM EDT
4 Athearn HO Well Car 5-packs, Plus
by Weiss Auctions
Est: $100- $200
$501 Bid
bp parity badge
Group of 9 Athearn Train HO Scale B and O Train Cars
May 10, 9:00 AM CDT
Group of 9 Athearn Train HO Scale B and O Train Cars
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$150 Bids
bp parity badge
Group of 9 Athearn Trains HO Scale B and O Train Cars
May 10, 9:00 AM CDT
Group of 9 Athearn Trains HO Scale B and O Train Cars
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$150 Bids
bp parity badge
Group of 9 Athearn Trains HO Scale B and O Train Cars
May 10, 9:00 AM CDT
Group of 9 Athearn Trains HO Scale B and O Train Cars
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$150 Bids
bp parity badge
Group of 9 Athearn Trains HO Scale B and O Train Cars
May 10, 9:00 AM CDT
Group of 9 Athearn Trains HO Scale B and O Train Cars
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$150 Bids
ATHEARN JOHN DEERE HO SCALE ELECTRIC MODEL B EXPRESS TRAIN SET
May 12, 5:00 PM EDT
ATHEARN JOHN DEERE HO SCALE ELECTRIC MODEL B EXPRESS TRAIN SET
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
bp parity badge
Group of 10 Athearn Trains HO Scale B and O Passenger Cars
May 10, 9:00 AM CDT
Group of 10 Athearn Trains HO Scale B and O Passenger Cars
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$150 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Athearn HO Scale Model Railroads & Trains


Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists

Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists

Weiss Auctions

Weiss Auctions

Matthew Bullock Auctioneers

Matthew Bullock Auctioneers

Atlee Raber Auctioneer

Atlee Raber Auctioneer