What are Athearn Train Sets?

In 1943, Irv Athearn created an O-scale model railroad and began selling model train supplies. In 1946 it grew into a company he named Athearn Trains that began producing miniature train models. Athearn is now a US manufacturer of model railroad equipment, and to this day Athearn produces and sells ready-to-run diesel locomotives, passenger cars, and freight car models that represent different eras and railroads. There are three different lines of Athearn train sets:

Genesis: This line is a higher priced line with higher quality trains. It incorporates DCC sound and provides intricate details on each individual car.
Ready-to-Roll: This line is not as expensive as the Genesis, however, this lower price does come with less detailed model trains. The Ready-to-Roll line represents trains from the steam-to-diesel transition period all the way to modern-day trains.
Roundhouse: this is also a lower priced line that represents trains only from the steam era.

Athearn Train Set Scales

The only scale that includes all three lines of Athearn train sets is the HO scale. The company makes a wide range of steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars, and vehicles in the Genesis, Ready-to-Roll, and Roundhouse lines that fit the HO scale. The Athearn HO scale is a 1:87 scale, or a 3.5mm to 1 foot comparison. This scale is the most popular within the model railway world. Athearn train sets also come in the N scale and the 1:50 scale. The Athearn N scale includes a variety of steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars, and vehicles. While the 1:50 Athearn scale only includes die-cast vehicles. The Athearn N scale is a 1:160 scale, or a 1.5875mm to 1 foot comparison.

Athearn Locomotive Parts

Athearn locomotive parts are large in number, ranging from fan sets to motors, to beacons, and more! The nice part about having spare Athearn locomotive parts is that they can be used as spare parts should something on a model train break or wear out.