Atlas Model Railroad Co. purchases BLMA Models, Inc., will continue company’s production plans

January 6, 2016

Atlas Model Railroad Co. announced today an agreement to purchase BLMA Models Inc., of Fullerton, CA, including the company’s current tooling and inventory. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.

Upon completion of the acquisition, Atlas will continue BLMA’s production plans announced prior to the sale and fulfill orders that BLMA had received. Atlas said it will release many popular BLMA items with all-new numbers and paint schemes. Also, the company will develop and release items already scheduled internally by BLMA.

Established in 2000, BLMA manufactures HO, N, and Z scale rolling stock and accessories.

Founder and president Craig Martyn will work as a consultant for Atlas to ensure a smooth transition, assist on development and help with marketing.

“What started as a hobby business 16 years ago has turned into something larger than I ever expected,” Martyn said in a statement. “The experiences, knowledge, and most importantly, the friendships gained through developing BLMA have been life changing, and I will be forever grateful to the many that supported my endeavors.”

BLMA stopped selling product direct to consumers today in preparation for shipping its inventory to Atlas. During the transition, BLMA will process open orders for pre-ordered rolling stock that Atlas will fulfill. Products include BLMA’s N-scale GSC 60’ Flat Car (Run #2), ACF 52’ Gondola (Run #3) and Trinity 31K Crude Oil Tank Cars, and the HO and N Trinity 5660 Covered Hoppers, Trinity 64’ Tropicana Modern Reefers and Bx-166 60’ BNSF Box Car.

Atlas Chief Executive Officer Paul Graf said BLMA’s acquisition is a good fit.

“BLMA’s reputation for detail and prototypical accuracy is compatible with Atlas’,” he said. “The HO and N rolling stock will fit seamlessly into the Atlas Master line of product. The details and accessories are a perfect complement Atlas’ existing product line.”

For 60 years, family-owned Atlas has been among the top model railroad manufacturers in the business. The company manufactures track, locomotives, rolling stock, and structures in N, HO, O and O-27 scales.

Graf said Atlas will soon announce the first product from BLMA’s existing line to be released.

Martyn said he will devote more time to www.MyMetalBusinessCard.com, which he launched in 2011, but stay involved in model railroading.

“To my industry connections and hobby enthusiasts, this is not a goodbye – I look forward to seeing you on the other side of the aisle, once again enjoying the great hobby of model railroading,” he said. “Thank you for your unwavering support over the years, and cheers to our kindred connection today and always.”

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. purchases BLMA Models, Inc., will continue company’s production plans

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