Penn Line Manufacturing
Encyclopedia
Penn Line Manufacturing was a United States
manufacturer of model railroad equipment, produced in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, USA.
, while the main United States train model brands at that time, Lionel Corp.
and American Flyer
, did not put as much authentic detail on their trains as their O and S gauges would have allowed.
Penn Line's early contribution to model railroading was the use of printer's lead to cast the locomotives. This allowed very fine detail in the castings, much greater detail than could be achieved from stampings. And while the larger O gauge and S gauge had the potential for more detail, Penn Line's founders chose to use the smaller HO gauge. Their thinking was that the potential for realism coming from more elaborate layouts made HO the best compromise. This was at a time when HO gauge was far from the standard it is today. Penn Line produced about a half dozen different locomotives based on prototypes from the Pennsylvania Railroad
, hence the choice of the company name Penn Line.
In the early 1960s Penn Line entered the then emerging slot car
market. They attempted to bring the same realism that they had used in model railroading to slot car racing. The produced a nicely detailed, but poorly powered Indianapolis-style set endorsed by A. J. Foyt
. Problems with this product caused Penn Line to close and quickly declare bankruptcy in the fall of 1963.
Most of the former Penn Line Pennsylvania Railroad die-cast steam locomotive kits were later produced by Bowser Manufacturing
, and are still available in 2007.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
manufacturer of model railroad equipment, produced in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, USA.
History
The company's history began in 1947, when founded by Albert M. Mercer, K. Linwood Stauffer and Robert Faust. The three founders, hobbyists themselves, realized that most of the model railroad equipment produced at that time was lacking the realism that true hobbyists demanded. Japan and Germany produced little due to the recently ended World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, while the main United States train model brands at that time, Lionel Corp.
Lionel Corp.
Lionel Corporation was an American toy manufacturer and retailer that did business from 1900 to 1993. Founded as an electrical novelties company, Lionel specialized in various products throughout its existence, but toy trains and model railroads were its main claim to fame...
and American Flyer
American Flyer
American Flyer was a popular brand of toy train and model railroad in the United States in the middle part of the 20th century.- The Chicago era, 1907–1938 :...
, did not put as much authentic detail on their trains as their O and S gauges would have allowed.
Penn Line's early contribution to model railroading was the use of printer's lead to cast the locomotives. This allowed very fine detail in the castings, much greater detail than could be achieved from stampings. And while the larger O gauge and S gauge had the potential for more detail, Penn Line's founders chose to use the smaller HO gauge. Their thinking was that the potential for realism coming from more elaborate layouts made HO the best compromise. This was at a time when HO gauge was far from the standard it is today. Penn Line produced about a half dozen different locomotives based on prototypes from the Pennsylvania Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
, hence the choice of the company name Penn Line.
In the early 1960s Penn Line entered the then emerging slot car
Slot car
A slot car is a powered miniature auto or other vehicle that is guided by a groove or slot in the track on which it runs. A pin or blade extends from the bottom of the car into the slot...
market. They attempted to bring the same realism that they had used in model railroading to slot car racing. The produced a nicely detailed, but poorly powered Indianapolis-style set endorsed by A. J. Foyt
A. J. Foyt
Anthony Joseph Foyt, Jr., or as he is universally known as in motorsports circles, A. J. Foyt , is a retired American automobile racing driver. He raced in numerous genres of motorsports. His open wheel racing includes USAC Champ cars and midget cars. He raced stock cars in NASCAR and USAC. He won...
. Problems with this product caused Penn Line to close and quickly declare bankruptcy in the fall of 1963.
Most of the former Penn Line Pennsylvania Railroad die-cast steam locomotive kits were later produced by Bowser Manufacturing
Bowser Manufacturing
Bowser Manufacturing is a United States manufacturer of model railroad equipment, located in Montoursville, Pennsylvania, USA.The company was founded in 1948 by Bill Bowser in California. Since 1961 it has been owned by the Lewis English family and located in Pennsylvania...
, and are still available in 2007.
External links
- Penn Line History and Catalogs- Penn Line History and Catalogs
- Penn Line Locomotive Assembly Instructions- Penn Line Locomotive Assembly Instructions