Atlas Model Trains - American Innovator
The Atlas Model Railroad Company, Inc.
started out as a tool company - named Atlas Tool Company and located in Hillside, New Jersey.
A Czechoslovakian immigrant named Stephan Schaffan founded the original company in 1924.
In 1933 Stephan's son, Stephan Jr.
, joined the company at age 16.
He was a good, conscientious worker, but his main interest was building models, mostly model airplanes.
As the legend goes, young Stephan accepted a challenge from the owner of a local hobby shop to see if he could improve some primitive model railroad track that he had in his stock.
Stephan Jr.
did so and continued experimenting with track.
He created the first HO track common measurement criteria and accomplished much more that contributed to much-needed standardization in the hobby.
The demand for Atlas' early model railroading products was so great that young Stephan and other family members worked evenings in the basement of their Newark, New Jersey home to fill orders.
Demand for their products remained strong and the family had to build its first factory for model railroad products in 1947, in Hillside, New Jersey.
In 1959, the business outgrew that facility and the family built a new factory down the street from the old one.
Among Stephan Jr.
's accomplishments: engineering the stapling of rail to fiber track and invention of the first practical rail joiner, pre-assembled turnouts, and more products.
In the process, he became a recognized innovator and leader in model railroading.
He did much to turn model railroading into a mass-market hobby.
Many long-time hobbyists say that Atlas brought model railroading up to a higher technological level.
By its observance of the finest standards, the company has come to be positioned at the head of innovation.
Atlas takes pride in maintaining its tradition and reputation for excellence.
The company states that its models are true scale representations of the real thing, with details in the exact same position as the prototype.
Customers of Atlas model trains may join the Atlas Golden Spike Club and enjoy various benefits such as "members only" offers.
The club supports O, HO, and N scales.
The company believes that people today are turning to enduring pastimes with lasting value.
They promote model railroading as a hobby that is fun, active, educational, and one that has endured as one of our most popular pastimes for more than four generations.
started out as a tool company - named Atlas Tool Company and located in Hillside, New Jersey.
A Czechoslovakian immigrant named Stephan Schaffan founded the original company in 1924.
In 1933 Stephan's son, Stephan Jr.
, joined the company at age 16.
He was a good, conscientious worker, but his main interest was building models, mostly model airplanes.
As the legend goes, young Stephan accepted a challenge from the owner of a local hobby shop to see if he could improve some primitive model railroad track that he had in his stock.
Stephan Jr.
did so and continued experimenting with track.
He created the first HO track common measurement criteria and accomplished much more that contributed to much-needed standardization in the hobby.
The demand for Atlas' early model railroading products was so great that young Stephan and other family members worked evenings in the basement of their Newark, New Jersey home to fill orders.
Demand for their products remained strong and the family had to build its first factory for model railroad products in 1947, in Hillside, New Jersey.
In 1959, the business outgrew that facility and the family built a new factory down the street from the old one.
Among Stephan Jr.
's accomplishments: engineering the stapling of rail to fiber track and invention of the first practical rail joiner, pre-assembled turnouts, and more products.
In the process, he became a recognized innovator and leader in model railroading.
He did much to turn model railroading into a mass-market hobby.
Many long-time hobbyists say that Atlas brought model railroading up to a higher technological level.
By its observance of the finest standards, the company has come to be positioned at the head of innovation.
Atlas takes pride in maintaining its tradition and reputation for excellence.
The company states that its models are true scale representations of the real thing, with details in the exact same position as the prototype.
Customers of Atlas model trains may join the Atlas Golden Spike Club and enjoy various benefits such as "members only" offers.
The club supports O, HO, and N scales.
The company believes that people today are turning to enduring pastimes with lasting value.
They promote model railroading as a hobby that is fun, active, educational, and one that has endured as one of our most popular pastimes for more than four generations.
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