| Atlas model trains started out as Atlas Tool | | | | model trains while still going about their daily lives, |
| Company, which was founded by Stephen | | | | but out of the secondary income grew the |
| Schaffan Sr. in 1924. The owner of the company | | | | company which would build the Atlas model trains |
| did what any other small business owner of the | | | | you have come to know today. |
| day would do and asked his teenage son to work | | | | Steve Jr. did not rest after creating this invention. |
| in the family store. Stephan Schaffan Junior had a | | | | Instead, he went on to invent the first rail joiner |
| different passion in life. He enjoyed making model | | | | which could be used by everyone. He also is |
| airplanes and as such, spent a lot of time at the | | | | responsible for creating pre-assembled turn outs |
| local hobby shop. In order to try to make some | | | | and flexible track. The stapling of rail to fiber track |
| extra cash, the young man continuously asked for | | | | was another invention he can take credit for. It |
| something to do in the shop. His hope was to be | | | | was not until much later that the company |
| able to work with the materials he enjoyed the | | | | started producing the Atlas model trains you see |
| most and make money in the process. | | | | sold in most hobby shops today. Once the |
| What Steve Jr. did not know was he was | | | | company did start selling trains to go along with |
| becoming a major annoyance to the shop owner. | | | | track and layout material, they were well |
| In an attempt to pacify the child, the hobby shop | | | | received. |
| owner gave him some track to play with. He told | | | | The Atlas model trains have been given the same |
| Steve Jr. that he should see what he could do to | | | | care and attention the entire line of products is |
| improve the track. As Steve set to making a | | | | known for having. The plant that produces the |
| better track, the shop owner simply enjoyed the | | | | products is in the same New Jersey warehouse it |
| peace and quiet he was getting. What happened | | | | has been in since 1947. Once the company |
| was the birth of the switch kit. This was a | | | | incorporated in 1949, it was well received by the |
| revolutionary invention in the world of model | | | | stock market and remains one of the most |
| trains because up until that time, everything for | | | | recognized train companies for those who are |
| model trains was built by hand. | | | | serious about model railroading. |
| Seeing an opportunity to make some real money, | | | | No matter what your skill level is, you are sure to |
| Steve Junior employed the help of Steve Senior | | | | enjoy what Atlas model trains have to offer. Not |
| and the rest of the family. From the basement of | | | | only will you enjoy the selection of trains they |
| their home, the entire family worked through the | | | | have, you will also enjoy the different layout |
| night in order to create the invention, which had | | | | elements and tracks they have to offer. With an |
| become so popular. They were providing one of | | | | eye for detail, the products offered are sure to |
| the most revolutionary inventions in the history of | | | | satisfy even the most demanding consumer. |