Atlas Model Trains - The Story of an Immigrant Who Became a Model Railroad Tycoon

For a period of sixty years, the Atlas brand hasas the flagship model for the company. Shaffan Jr.
been one of the leading makers of train models,was the same inventor who was responsible for
including manufacturing the model train track andthe creation of plenty of many other accessories
other accessories. The company has alsothat have revolutionized this industry.
overseen plenty of innovative inventions thatThe company later became Atlas Model Trains
continues to exemplify the company as anand came up with the first pre-assembled rail
international brand. Atlas is a business that wastracks. This would make it much easier for train
started by one family and also paved the wayenthusiasts to assemble the rails. In addition, the
for its sister company known as Atlas O.Atlas models were made with painstaking detail
Among avid model train enthusiasts, the Atlasand often were created in the likeness of actual
brand and its history is especially well-known. Thepassenger or cargo trains.
brand was conceptualized by a young man knownWith the overwhelming success from these
as Stephan Shaffan Jr who was very inventivehumble beginnings, the company has continued to
and had moved from his native Czechoslovakia tothrive and even has began to develop HO and N
New Jersey. He initially worked for his father forscale models. In addition to this they have also
while but later on began making models just as aintroduced industrial rail lines.
fun pastime. Shaffan Jr initially began creatingThis company has no doubt come a long way and
model airplane. However, he then switched toits rich history has served as a platform on which
model trains after he was given some modelall its subsequent success can build upon. The
trains by the proprietor of a model airplane.company still holds a large share of the current
Shaffan Jr came up with an innovation thatmodel train market and strives to maintain the
allowed the miniature trains to slow down whilesame spirit of the founder, which is to create
they are moving on the track. This was done bymagnificent trains that provide enjoyment to
altering the electricity voltage on the brass tracksenthusiasts not only in the United States but also
using a connected switch. He then started theall over the world.
Atlas Model Railroad firm which used a switch set