Who is the oldest model train manufacturer?

The oldest model train manufacturer is Ives Manufacturing Company, which was established in 1868 by Edward Ives. The trains were initially made out of cast iron or tin and were designed as pull toys and wind-up toys. Ives made tracks with basic layouts for his trains in the early 1900s.

He created electric trains made to run on O-gauge tracks by 1910. This development arrived later than similar products made by his competitors. Lionel trains became legendary in the model train industry, and Lionel's steel trains soon surpassed Ives' cast iron models. The company eventually added accessories, such as bridges, lamp posts, stations and tunnels, to coordinate with its train sets.