Major Brass Model Train Manufacturers & Importers

If you're new to the brass model train world, you should know about an important distinction between manufacturers and importers:

Manufacturers: physically made the models
Importers: commission and distribute them. Many importers worked with multiple manufacturers.

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IMPORTERS/DISTRIBUTORS

These companies commissioned models from the manufacturers below and distributed them in the US and other markets.

Major Historic & Current Importers

Pacific Fast Mail (PFM) - Founded by Bill Ryan, one of the earliest and most legendary importers
Key Model Imports (Key) - One of the "big three" modern importers
Broadway Limited Imports - Top quality brand offering brass hybrid
Overland Models Inc. (OMI) - Major importer, still active
Custom Brass - Known for "Royale Series"
Gem Models - Known for "Ruby" series
Hallmark Models - Known for "VIP Series"
Westside Model Co. - High-quality narrow gauge specialist
Oriental Limited/Oriental Models - Major importer
Precision Scale Company (PSC) - Also makes detail parts
Sunset Models/3rd Rail - Active importer
Challenger Imports - Popular importer
The Coach Yard - Specializes in passenger cars
Division Point Inc. - Modern importer
NJ Custom Brass - Custom runs
Max Gray
Lambert
Crown Models
United/Atlas
Balboa
Glacier Park Models - Boutique limited runs
Alco Models
E. Suydam
Railway Classics
Rail Classics
Beaver
Takara
AHM (Associated Hobby Manufacturers) - Early importer
Red-Ball
Union Terminal Imports (UTI)
Metropolitan - European prototypes

MANUFACTURERS (Builders)

Japanese Manufacturers (1950s-1990s)

Tenshodo Co., Ltd. (1949-present) - One of the oldest and most respected
Akane Model Railroad Co. (1958-1982) - Known for sturdy, reliable models
Kumata Models (KMT) (1957-2000)
Katsumi Mokeiten Co., Ltd (KTM) (1959-1986)
Atlas Industries/United Scale Models (ATL/UNI) (1954-1990)
Nakayama (NAK) (1955-1963) - Made for Atlas/United
Fujiyama Kogyo Co. Ltd. (FUJ) (1965-1992)
Fuji Models (FUM) (1958-1971)
Micro Cast Mizuno (MIZ) (1958-1986)
Toby Model Company, Ltd. (TOB) (1956-1976)
Tsubomi Do Mokeiten, Ltd. (TSU) (1957-1978)
Takara/IMP (TAK) (1954-1962)
Kawai (KAW) (1955-1960)
G.O. Model Works Co., Ltd (GOM) (1967-1985)
Olympia Precision Models (OLY) (1960-1975)
Orion Models (ORI) (1955-1985)
Sankyo (SAN) (1966-1969)
Sango (SNG) (1982-1989)
Tetsudo Mokeisha (TET) (1955-present)
Imai Model Company, Ltd. (IMA) (ca. 1964)
Fomras (FOM) (1891-present)
Cab (CAB) (1972-1978)
Mochizuki (MOC) (1973-1980)
Nish (NSH) (1969-1974)
Nakamura Seimitsu Co., Ltd (NKM) (1974-1984)
Sakura (SAK) (1962-1966)
Sato Models (SAT) (1980-1983)
Seiko Models (SEI) (ca. 1964)
Sugiyama (SUG) (ca. 1979)
Tamac (TAM) (1981-1983)
Toho Models (TOH) (1967-1971)
Tokaido (TOK) (ca. 1971)
International Model Prod. (IMP) (ca. 1959)
Joe Works (JOW) (ca. 1989)
N.A.P. Company (NAP) (ca. 1975)
Park Model Products (PRK) (ca. 1977)
Tae Hwa Precision (TAE) (1979-1988) - Listed as Japan but may be Korean

Korean Manufacturers (1970s-present)

Korean manufacturers became dominant after production shifted from Japan in the 1970s.

Samhongsa (SAM) (1971-2005) - One of the most prolific and highest quality
Ajin Precision Mfr. (AJN) (1976-1998) - Known for excellent quality
Ajin Model Train (AMT) (2008-present) - Successor company
Boo-Rim Precision Mfg. (BRP) (1989-present)
Korea Brass Co., Ltd. (KBC) (ca. 2003)
Dai Young Models Company (DAI) (1974-2002)
Sam Model Tech (SMT) (2003-present)
Sun Jin Models (SNJ) (Current)
Woo Sung Brass Models (WOO) (1987-2004)
Dong Jin Model Works (DON) (1975-1986)
Daeki Company (DKI) (1983-present)
Jonan Models (JON) (1976-1985)
Korea Scale Models (KSM) (1974-1980)
Kimura/NKP (KIM) (1975-1983)
Kobra Models (KOB) (1976-1980)
T. Kodama (KOD) (1970-1987)
M.S. Models (MSM) (1973-1998)
S.K. International (SKI) (1970-1991)
Rok Am (ROK) (1975-1981)
Han In (HAN) (1989-1992)
Hyodong (HYD) (1989-1991)
Juwon (JWN) (2001-present)
Real-Tech Models (RTM) (2004-present)
Iron Horse Models (IHM) (Current)
Ace P.M. Co. (APM) (Active)
Art Hobbies (ART) (ca. 2000)
ATR Brass Models (ATR) (ca. 2007)
Car Model Company (CMC) (Active)
D&D Brass (D&D) (1987-1995)
Dae Ah (DAH) (Active)
Dauki (DAU) (ca. 1984)
END (END) (ca. 1983)
FM Models (FM) (1988-1998)
Gang San (GAN) (1986-1988)
Gangsan Models (GSM) (ca. 1987)
Goldrich Models (GLD) (Active)
Global Models, Inc. (GMI) (2002-2004)
Hallmark Korea Models (HLK) (1975-1976)
Han Shin Models (HSM) (Active)
Jae (JAE) (2000-2001)
J.P. Models (JPM) (1980-1984)
K.A.M.C. (KAM) (ca. 1996)
Kook Jea Models (KOO) (1978-1980)
Kyong Dong (KYD) (1977-1978)
Lhee Do Industrial (LDI) (ca. 1983)
Lone Star Scale Models (LSM/LSS) (Active)
M&G Brass (M&G) (ca. 2002)
Maninsan Corp. (MAN) (ca. 1989)
Mountain Model Div. of PSC (MMI) (Current)
M.P.S. Custom Models (MPS) (1996-1998)
Muramatsu (MUR) (ca. 1979)
Old & Weary Car Shops (OCS) (ca. 2000)
Opec (OPE) (ca. 2000)
Rendezvous Brass Models (RND) (2003-present)
SMI (SMI) (1977-1991)
SR Company (SRC) (ca. 2002)
Tha Hwa (THW) (1987-1988)
Tha Wai (TWA) (1989-1990)
Tha Wha (TWH) (ca. 1987)
Totem Models (TOT) (1981-1983)
Woo Yang (WYA) (1983-1987)
Yulim (YUL) (1990-1996)

Chinese Manufacturers (1990s-present)

Precision Brass Art Work (PBA) (Current)
Primote (PMT) (Current)
SanCheng (SCH) (Current)
Cheyenne Industries (CHY) (1998-2004)

North American Manufacturers

Athabasca Scale Models Limited (ASM) (Canada, Current)
ACI of Long Beach, CA (ACI) (USA, 1954-1957)
AMMC (AMC) (USA, Current)

Historical Context

The Japanese Era (1950s-1970s)

The first brass models were created during the Allied occupation of Japan, with servicemen commissioning Japanese artisans to build American prototype locomotives. Japanese manufacturers dominated the industry through the 1960s and into the 1970s, producing exceptionally detailed and accurate models.

The Korean Transition (1970s-1980s)

By the mid-1970s, manufacturing shifted to South Korea. Cost benefits were a major advantage. While quality initially suffered during the transition, Korean manufacturers like Samhongsa, Ajin Precision, and Boo-Rim Precision eventually set new standards for quality and detail.

The Chinese Era (1990s-present)

Over time, production has increasingly shifted to China, following the same pattern of initial quality concerns followed by improvement as manufacturers gained experience.

The Importer-Manufacturer Relationship

Most "importers" worked with multiple manufacturers over the years. For example, you might see a Pacific Fast Mail (PFM) model built by Tenshodo, another by Kumata, and yet another by Samhongsa. The importer commissioned the design and handled distribution, while the manufacturer did the actual production work.

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