Atlas Model Railroad Co. adds to vehicle line, purchases HO-scale tooling from River Point Station

December 16, 2022 / Updated July 25, 2023

HILLSIDE, NJ — Atlas Model Railroad Co., Inc. announced today that it has purchased the HO-scale vehicle tooling along with designs for certain previously unannounced products from River Point Station Fine Scale Models. The deal follows Atlas’ purchase of RPS’s N-scale line two years ago.

HO vehicle molds acquired include the Ford Expedition EL and F-250 and F-350 pickups, plus others, Atlas said in a statement. In all, tooling was acquired for 23 models.

“Previously, in December of 2020, River Point Station announced that they would be streamlining their product line and would cease producing N-scale vehicles and we did not want to see a void left in the market, so we acquired the N-scale tooling,” Atlas CEO Paul Graf said. “After a successful launch of N-scale models utilizing this tooling, we are happy to announce that we have acquired RPS’ HO-scale vehicle tooling as well and look forward to continued success with the line.”

RPS, located in Warwick, RI, was founded in 2006 by Ron Elsdoerfer to supply HO accessory kits. In the 14 years that followed, the company grew its offerings to include HO- and N-scale vehicles.

Over the past two years leading up to the acquisition, RPS scaled back certain aspects of its business. In February, Elsdoerfer said in a letter on the company’s website that RPS was idling production and seeking a buyer.

RPS operated within ITI, a technology company founded in 1985. The founders, seasoned design engineers and long-time hobbyists, have expertise ranging from aerospace and automation, to cutlery, injection molding, machine tools and metrology, according to the website.

Founded in 1924 and incorporated in 1949 as Atlas Tool Co. Inc., present- day Atlas Model Railroad Co. produces locomotives, rolling stock, track, and accessories in N, HO and O scales for its Atlas Master, Atlas Classic, Trainman, and Atlas O lines.

The company has long produced a line of officially licensed Ford vehicles, including cars, trucks and tractor cabs. One of Atlas’ early entries into modern-day vehicles was the HO- and N-scale late 1990s Ford F-150 pickup truck. The models continue to be produced, as well as a 2015 F-150 available in O scale.

According to the company’s website, current HO and N models include a Ford Fairmont, 1993 Ford Explorer, F-150 and vintage F-100 pickup. Atlas N offerings also include a Ford 9000 Tractor Cab, as well as 1992 Ford F250 and F-350 pickups in several railroad schemes.

The acquisition follows Atlas’s purchase of O-scale tooling from M.T.H. Trains in 2021.

*Atlas Model Railroad Co. currently produces a line of Ford F-series pickups, including the N-scale 1992 F-250/F-350 truck set in Safety Yellow. – Atlas Model Railroad Co.*

Spring is when large-scale model railroaders with their green thumbs plant and prune colorful foliage grown nearly to scale. In some areas, maintaining outdoor layouts is quite challenging because of changing weather. Nancy Norris, an author who builds garden railroads professionally, says some plant varieties have become more difficult to grow in certain Hardiness Zones. In some cases it means garden railroaders having to put more emphasis on growing native plants rather than relying on varieties more susceptible to extreme conditions. She recommends new gardeners consult with their local nurseries for the best choices for an outdoor layout. Norris also has a few recommendations of her own.

Sweeping tariffs imposed on goods imported into the United States are stirring model railroad manufacturers. As a result, model railroading and other hobbies will cost more. In February the U.S. applied a 10 percent tariff on goods imported from China, and the tax has since escalated. Suppliers – including Athearn, InterMountain Railway Co., Broadway Limited, Rapido Trains and ScaleTrains – have been putting dealers and customers on notice that prices will increase tariffs are implemented.

The first rule of railroading is “expect movement on any track at any time in any direction.” This may seem like an overabundance of caution, but railroading is a dangerous sport. Always expect a train when you’re around the tracks. The second rule of railroading is that there is an exception to every rule. The North American freight car fleet in 2023 consisted of 2.03 million rail cars, according to Railinc’s Umler Equipment Index. Rail car fleet management — how empty cars get dispatched to move to their next loading point — is an ever-moving process and often requires fleet car managers to be nimble.

Atlas Model Railroad Co. adds to vehicle line, purchases HO-scale tooling from River Point Station

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