USA Trains
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Model railroad manufacturing |
| Predecessor | Charles Ro Manufacturing Company |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Founder | Charles Ro Sr. |
| Headquarters | Malden, Massachusetts , United States |
| Products | G scale model railroad items (Ultimate Series, American series, Work Trains series) |
USA Trains is a producer specializing in G scale model railroad items, originally operating under the name Charles Ro Manufacturing Company. Their product lineup includes two scales running on identical tracks: the "Ultimate Series" at a 1:29 ratio, alongside the "American" and "Work Trains" series at 1:24 scale. USA Trains asserts it offers the most extensive assortment of G scale rolling stock globally. The business was established in 1987.
Charles Ro Supply Company
The origins of USA Trains trace back to Charles Ro Supply Company, which was the largest Lionel retailer and the biggest train store in the United States. This enterprise continues as a family-operated firm managed by Charles Ro Sr. and Jr.
Lionel
Initially, Charles Ro Supply Company operated as a chain of beauty salons before pivoting to the hobby sector when Charles Ro Sr. began vending pre-owned Lionel trains in Everett, Massachusetts. By 1972, the company was procuring stock directly from Lionel for mail-order distribution. In 1980, it completed Lionel's inaugural million-dollar order and expanded into a larger facility located in Malden, Massachusetts.
Garden trains
Following Lionel's relocation of production to Mexico in 1982, which resulted in a nine-month interruption of model train availability, Ro introduced German-made large-scale outdoor trains to his inventory. Identifying an opportunity within this niche, he initiated production of his own large-scale models under the Charles Ro Manufacturing Company brand. By 1989, operations had moved into a 50,000 square foot space in Malden. Prior to shifting manufacturing overseas in 1995, USA Trains produced locomotives, boxcars, work trains, and a distinctive range of billboard reefers—iced refrigerator cars from the early 1900s adorned with advertising artwork. Numerous offerings are limited-edition collectibles, including commemorative and holiday-themed cars.
Awards/Recognition
- The GP 7/9 locomotive' received Model Railroaders Reader's Choice Award in 1998
- The Ultimate Series, launched in 1999, garnered four Reader's Choice Awards
- In 2003, USA Trains' J1e Hudson was honored with the Reader's Choice Award
- USA Trains maintains that it has the largest variety of G scale rolling stock worldwide