Aristo-Craft G Scale Model Railroads & Trains

Aristo-Craft model trains were originally a branch of Polk’s Model Craft Hobbies of New York and Newark, New Jersey. Founded by Irwin and Nathan Polk, this company primarily sold supplies for model airplanes. Nathan Polk added the Aristocraft model train line to the company in 1935.

Aristo-Craft focused on HO scale model trains, importing HO models from Japan in the '50s and '60s. In more recent years, Nathan Polk began to focus on G scale, also called 1 Scale, model trains. These large sized trains are designed for large, open areas, such as gardens, shopping malls, and other public facilities.

Polk’s Model Craft Hobbies closed its New York store in 1985, but the Polk family continued to operate a scaled down version of the company after 1985. In 2013, due to growing financial difficulties, the Polk family closed the business. In 2014, Scott Polk, grandson of founder Irwin Polk, started Polk’s Generationext. Through Generationext, Polk continues the family’s hobby tradition, selling G gauge model trains.

Quick Facts

• Polk’s Model Craft Hobbies had a five story building in New York City. Every floor was dedicated to a different hobby, and the building was a popular spot for children
• Many people refer to G scale model trains as "garden scale" because these large size trains are often displayed outdoors in gardens. Outdoor model railroads have been made popular by publications such as "Garden Railways Magazine"
• Vintage Aristo-Craft model trains available on the market today are often HO scale pieces. These trains were sold by Aristo-Craft in the '50s and '60s. Aristo-Craft’s G Scale trains date from the '80s through the '00s