The Toy Model Trains Blog

Lima model trains were a brand of model trains that were developed in Italy from the early 1950s until 2004 when company stopped trading. 

During its prime, Lima trains were an extremely popular brand that retailed at quite a reasonable price. They developed OO and N gauge trains for the UK, as well as more precise and detailed N and HO models for numerous other countries around Europe. 

Such models were also available in the United States and in Australia in addition to a small variety of O scale trains that they also produced. 

Lima has quite a recent history - it started in the mid 1940s where it produced a variety of different toys such trains, boats and cars. In the early 1950s it started producing a budget product range that had quite a basic design. 

Lima gradually added more detail to these models and a decade later were providing higher quality products to several different nations including Belgium, France, Netherlands, and Germany. 

Following this, Lima’s success continued and less than a decade later they were one of the biggest train model producers in the world shipping off toy model trains to large markets in Britain, Australia, South Africa, and the USA.

The early 1980s saw Lima move to more detailed and higher quality markets introducing a number o their own enhanced modeling mechanisms. 

Unfortunately, however, due to increased competition Lima struggled to continue with the success it had in previous decades, and in 2004 ceased trading.

Whilst Lima model trains are no longer being manufactured, they are still popular models for collectors and railroad enthusiasts.