Atlas Model Railroad Company, Inc. makes scale models in N
scale, HO scale, and 'O' scale. The company is based out of Hillside, NJ. They produce a wide
variety of locomotives, rolling stock, and vehicles. Atlas is well known for their flex track and
codes 55, 80, 83 and 100 track. Atlas also makes structures and bridges.
Atlas Model Railroad Company, Inc. has its roots in model railroad track and accessory making
through invention, innovation and ingenuity. Atlas has a proud reputation as a family-owned
business and is well-known for quality and excellence.
Founded by Stephan Schaffan Sr. in 1924, Atlas Tool Company began as a general machine shop in a small
garage at 330 Waverly Avenue in Newark, New Jersey. Stephan Schaffan Sr. immigrated from Czechoslovakia
around the turn of the century and brought his machine and toolmaking skills with him. In 1933, after
graduating first in his class from Essex County Vocational School, Stephan Schaffan Jr. joined his father
in the business at age 16. Atlas Tool Company became a father and son team.
Steve Jr. built model airplanes as a hobby and frequented a local hobby shop. Being an enterprising young man,
he would often ask the owner if there was anything he could do to earn some extra spending money.
Tired of listening to his requests, the hobby-store owner threw some model railroad track parts his way
and said, "Here, see if you can improve on this".
In those days, railroad modelers had to assemble and build everything from scratch. Steve Jr. created
a "switch kit" which sold so well, that the entire family worked on them in the basement at night,
while doing business as usual in the machine shop during the day.
Subsequently, Steve Jr. engineered the stapling of rail to fiber track, along with inventing the
first practical rail joiner and pre-assembled turnouts and flexible track. All of these products,
and more, helped to popularize model railroading and assisted in the creation of a mass-market hobby.
The budding entrepreneur quickly outgrew the limitations of a basement and small garage operation.
Realizing they could actually make a living selling track and related products, Steve and his father
had the first factory built in Hillside, New Jersey at 413 Florence Avenue in 1947. On September 30th,
1949, Atlas Tool Company Inc. was officially incorporated as a New Jersey company.
Steve went on to be a worldwide leader and an innovator in the hobby. He created such masterpieces
as world renowned Super-Flex® Track, Snap-Switches®, Custom-Line® Turnouts and more. Steve’s efforts
in Europe, Asia and the United States brought model railroading to a new level, and hobbyists have him
to thank for the reliability and durability they enjoy in Atlas track, even to this day.
In 1985, Steve was honored posthumously for his landmark inventions by the Model Railroad
Industry Association and was inducted into the Model Railroad Industry Hall of Fame in Baltimore,
Maryland. In addition, Steve was nominated and entered into the National Model Railroad Association
Pioneers of Model Railroading in 1995.
Over time Atlas has expanded their product line to include much more than just track. Atlas Tool Co. began
offering a complete line of N scale trains in 1967. Early steam and Diesel models were made by
Rivarossi (Italy) and Mehanotehnika (Yugoslavia). Freight cars were made
by Rivarossi and Roco (Austria). Some of the freight cars were painted in Yugoslavia.
Passenger cars were made by Rivarossi. Atlas also had a line of structure kits made by Pola (Germany) and Faller.
These trains became the backbone of N Scale layouts everywhere during the late 1960's and early 1970's.
Locomotives included an 0-4-0 switcher, 4-6-2 Pacific, 2-8-2 Mikado, Alco RSC2, FM C-Liner, EMD E8, EMD
GP40, and EMD SD45. An EMD SW1500 (cow and calf) was introduced in 1971. Among the Atlas freight cars
were a 94' "whale belly" tank car with four trucks, 85' box cars, and 85' stock cars. The early 1970s brought Diesel
locomotives made by Roco that included a GP9, GP30, and F9A. Atlas began the manufacture of freight cars
at their factory in New Jersey. Alco FA1 and EMD E7A locomotives made by Roco were introduced in the
late 1970s. In 1983, Atlas offered an Alco RS3 made by Kato (Japan). Other locomotives made by Kato would
follow throughout the 1980s.
There are now Atlas products available for almost every aspect of HO and N scale model railroading.
In N scale, Atlas has spent over many years developing a collection of over 40 freight car types in more than 550
paint schemes, each with fine detailing and quality painting and printing. Atlas’ ready-to-run HO
line is also very extensive and includes over 25 different freight car types, in more than 265
paint schemes.
Atlas HO and N scale locomotives are noted for their prototypical, fine details, printing,
reliability, excellent throttle response, and smooth operation at slow speeds. To power layouts on which
these locomotives run, Atlas produces a variety of electrical components accompanied by clear,
concise instructions designed to make wiring easy for both inexperienced and accomplished modelers.
To complement its train products, Atlas offers a library of layout instruction books that are
now updated with the latest modeling techniques and technology for modelers of all skill levels.
Combined they contain over 60 time-tested layout designs to choose from.
The primary mission of Atlas is to produce and offer to the public, multiple scale lines of high
quality, model railroad products based on prototype information. Atlas’ philosophy is based on a dedicated
commitment to prototype research, design and construction. The desired and demanded goal is to create,
market and distribute durable operational scale models utilizing the full range of exacting detail
which accurately depicts life-sized objects, while providing exceptional service to our customers.
By keeping up the high standards set by Steve Schaffan over 50 years ago, Atlas will remain a
leader in innovation and technology in the model railroading industry for years to come. Although
many things have changed since incorporation in 1949, Atlas follows the tradition and values of its
founders. Steve Schaffan's only child, Diane, is president and her husband, Tom Haedrich, is CEO and
oversees day-to-day operations.
Link to Atlas Model Railroad Company, Inc. web site.
