Rivarossi (HO)

Rivarossi manufactures high-quality model railroad equipment in HO and N scales. Alessandro Rossi founded the company in 1945 in Como, Italy. It became the first Italian manufacturer of model trains. The brand earned a global reputation for fine detailing and smooth-running steam locomotives.

The company is famous for its large North American steam engines. It was the first to produce an industrial-scale model of the Union Pacific “Big Boy.” Their catalog also included iconic models like the Norfolk & Western Y6b, the Southern Pacific Cab Forward, and the NYC Hudson. For many years, American importers distributed Rivarossi products in the United States.

The brand pioneered the use of injection-molded plastics to achieve high levels of detail. In the 1990s, Rivarossi acquired other famous brands like Lima, Arnold, and Jouef. British company Hornby Hobbies purchased the brand in 2004. Today, Hornby continues to release Rivarossi models with modern upgrades like DCC and sound.