Atlas Model Railroad began as the Atlas Tool Company, founded by Stephan Schaffan Sr. in Newark, New Jersey. His son, Stephan Schaffan Jr., joined in 1933 and quickly revolutionized model railroading by inventing practical rail joiners, pre-assembled turnouts, and flexible track. These innovations helped transform the hobby from scratch-built layouts into a mass-market pastime.  

By the late 1940s, Atlas had expanded into a dedicated factory in Hillside, NJ, and officially incorporated in 1949. The company’s hallmark products—Super-Flex® Track, Snap-Switches®, and Custom-Line® Turnouts—remain industry standards today. Atlas track codes (such as Code 55, 80, 83, and 100) are widely used by hobbyists for prototypical accuracy in rail height.  

In the late 1960s, Atlas expanded beyond track into rolling stock and locomotives, initially partnering with European manufacturers like Rivarossi and Roco. Over time, Atlas developed its own tooling and became a leader in HO and N scale locomotives, producing models such as the GP9, GP30, RS-3, and SD24 with fine-scale detail and reliable performance.  

Today, Atlas offers a full line of products across HO, N, O, and even Z scale. Their catalog includes locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, structures, bridges, vehicles, and layout accessories. Atlas continues to emphasize durability, accuracy, and ease of use, making their products suitable for both beginners and advanced hobbyists.  

For hobbyists searching for Atlas Model Railroad products—track systems, locomotives, rolling stock, and structures—the brand delivers a blend of innovation, reliability, and prototypical accuracy. By combining nearly a century of engineering with modern production, Atlas remains a cornerstone of the model railroading industry.  

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