Bachmann Model Railroads & Trains

Bachmann Industries has a long, interesting past. The company was founded in 1833 by Henry Carlisle of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He originally made Spanish-style combs for women’s hair out of horn, ivory, and tortoise shell. The company diversified into other hair products and umbrella handles after the Civil War.

In 1899, the company merged with a competing company owned by Henry G. Bachmann and his son Walter J. Bachmann. The company adapted to changes in manufacturing in 1912 by using a new material, celluloid, to manufacture eyeglass frames. Henry G. Bachmann died in 1914 and the company changed its name to Bachmann Brothers. The company specialized in injection molding and was the first American company to manufacture prescription sunglasses.

Bachmann Brothers moved to its present headquarters in 1929. They continued to produce glasses, goggles, and model kits after World War II. Bachmann broke into the model railroad business with its line of model buildings for model railroads. Called Plasticville U.S.A., this line remains a favorite of hobbyists. A Hong Kong company, Kader, began manufacturing model railroad sets for Bachmann in 1969. Kader purchased Bachmann in 1981 and renamed the company Bachmann Industries. Kader is now the world’s largest manufacturer of model railroads.

Quick Facts

• During World War II, Bachmann manufactured sunglasses for the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Air Corps. They also manufactured protective eye devices and submarine battery caps
• Plasticville U.S.A. model buildings started out as snap-together kits. This line continues to manufacture kits, but now also includes prebuilt model railroad accessories
• Bachmann Industries is the only model train company that offers a line of products in N, HO, On30, O, and G scales