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If you are considering buying a model train, one of the first choices you should make is which brand to buy. Since model train brands have been known to come and go, it’s a good idea to select a popular brand that is more likely to be around for a long time.
Based on an analysis of Google searches where a train model brand was included in the search phrase, the most popular brands are Lionel trains and Bachmann trains. These two brands account for more than 70% of searches, both in the United States and globally.
Lionel Trains dominates the model train hobby with 59% of all searches in the United States and 37% of searches worldwide. Lionel trains are primarily O scale, which is one of the most popular scales available, especially among serious hobbyists. Lionel is also one of the oldest brands with train sets dating back to 1900. However, the original Lionel Corporation went out of business. The brand was revived in 1969 by General Mills, the cereal company. They launched Lionel, LLC and quickly became the leading brand.
In the United States, Bachmann trains are the second largest brand with 13% of searches. Overall, Bachmann is the third largest brand with just 8% of searches. Bachmann train sets were first introduced in 1946. Bachmann manufactures a large line of products consisting primarily of HO scale train sets, including the popular Thomas Tank Engine electric train sets. Bachmann also produces N-scale, O-scale, and full-scale trains. Prices range from under $100 to over $2,000 per train set.
Overall, Hornby is the second largest brand with 35% of searches, putting it slightly behind Lionel. However, Hornby is based in the United Kingdom and its sales are almost all outside of the United States. They received only 1% of searches within the United States. Horny Trains have a reputation for quality, but their product line within the United States is very limited.
The top three brands, Lionel, Bachmann and Hornby, accounted for 73% of searches within the United States and 80% of searches globally. The remaining searches were spread among a dozen other brands led by LGB and Marklin, each with 5% of global searches. MTH with 3% and Atlas and Micro each with 2% of global searches. The remaining 3% of global searches were spread across all other brands. Of these remaining brands, the largest was Athearn, which received 3% of searches in the United States, but only 1% of searches globally.