Atlas Model Railroad Co. Agrees to Purchase BLMA Models Inc. HILLSIDE, New Jersey: Effective immediately, Atlas Model Railroad Co., has agreed to purchase BLMA Models Inc., of Fullerton, California. Founded in 2000, BLMA manufactures quality HO, N, and Z scale rolling stock and accessories. Upon completion of the acquisition, Atlas will own and release all current tooling, inventory, and will continue with production plans outlined by BLMA, prior to the sale. Craig Martyn, Founder and President of BLMA Models, stated: “What started as a hobby business 16 years ago has turned into something larger than I ever expected. The experiences, knowledge, and most importantly, the friendships gained through developing BLMA have been life changing, and I will be forever grateful to the many that supported my endeavors. This acquisition marks a bold new chapter for Atlas, and the evolution of my professional career as well. The purchase of BLMA ensures that enthusiasts will see more product releases than ever before, a continued legacy of attention to detail, and the future production of highly sought after models. I will now be able to dedicate my energy and invest more of my time into www.MyMetalBusinessCard.com, which has seen rapid growth since I launched the company in 2011. To my industry connections and hobby enthusiasts, this is not a goodbye – I look forward to seeing you on the other side of the aisle, once again enjoying the great hobby of model railroading. Thank you for your unwavering support over the years, and cheers to our kindred connection today and always.” For 60 years, Atlas has been a leader in the world of model railroading. Atlas has its roots in model railroad track and accessory making through invention, innovation, and ingenuity. Atlas has a proud reputation as a family-owned business and is well known for quality and excellence. Between Atlas and Atlas O, they manufacture track, locomotives, rolling stock, and structures in N, HO, O and O-27 scales. No matter your scale, you'll find the products you need and that "You're on the Right Track®...With Atlas". Paul Graf, Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Model Railroad Co, stated: “BLMA’s reputation for detail and prototypical accuracy is compatible with Atlas’. The HO and N rolling stock will fit seamlessly into the Atlas Master line of product. The details and accessories are a perfect complement Atlas’ existing product line. We have known Craig since he first entered the market, and have had a good relationship with him and BLMA through the years. We are happy that Craig will be able to work with Atlas over the coming years as we incorporate the BLMA products into Atlas’ line, as well as bring some of BLMA’s planned new products to fruition. We plan to make the announcement of the first product from BLMA’s existing products as soon as the purchase is completed.” On January 6th, 2016, BLMA will stop selling product direct, in preparation of shipping the inventory to Atlas. During the transition, BLMA will process open orders for pre-ordered rolling stock, though Atlas will physically fulfill the orders. These models include: - N scale GSC 60’ Flat Car (Run #2) - N scale ACF 52’ Gondola (Run #3) - N scale Trinity 31K Crude Oil Tank Cars - HO & N Trinity 5660 Covered Hoppers - HO & N Trinity 64’ Modern Reefers – Tropicana - HO & N Bx-166 60’ Box Car – BNSF In the coming years, Craig will work as a consultant to Atlas, ensuring a smooth transition, assistance on development and help with marketing. Atlas expects to release many popular BLMA items with all-new numbers, paint schemes, and more. Furthermore, Atlas will develop and release items already scheduled internally by BLMA. For further information, please visit www.atlasrr.com or www.BLMAmodels.com
Just saw this mentioned on the Atlas web site! You've acquired something special! I hope the future now holds even greater things for N scale.
Thanks, we do think the line is special, and Craig will be consulting with us for a few years so I am sure his influence will be felt going forward.
I've enjoyed the BLMA line of products now for many years and with this new merger look forward to continued enjoyment of the expanded N Scale line with Atlas a long standing MMR company now in the lead. Best wishes to Craig in the future and see you on the other side of that isle.
What an amazing journey. I remember when Craig was a kid here on TB coming out with new resin detail products then expanding to the machine bent grabs was a huge step, then full blown cars and now selling his company to Atlas. Wow. Congratulations, Craig and good luck with your future ventures.
I find it interesting that probably 90% of my rolling stock purchases have been from BLMA, and I can't think of a single Atlas product I've bought in the last couple years...good move, Paul.
Paul and Craig, congratulations. Fitting since most of my N scale locomotives I've super detailed are a combination of Atlas locomotives and BLMA details.
Sad day....... The end of BLMA, and now those great cars will come with those dreadful Accumate couplers. More funds now for Fox Valley products! Still no reason to buy Atlas products for me.
That was the first thing I thought of when reading this. To me, this is a double edged sword. None of Atlas's current selection comes with the amount of detail that BLMA has. Will Atlas put in the effort to continue this? Or once all the stuff Craig was working on runs it's course, will it just fall back to the mediocre? What will come of the 70 and 100 ton trucks and wheels? Atlas already has 70 and 100 ton trucks. Which will prevail? Or will both continue to be made? To lose the lowered center bolster on the BLMA trucks will really hurt us N scalers big time. And what of the detail parts? Most of what I use to detail my locomotives are BLMA parts. Will this turn into another Sunrise Enterprises, and will we lose another wealth of detail parts? If Atlas continues to produce the current BLMA selection, then things are still good in the N scale universe. But if Atlas does away with some or all of these things, then it's a big hit and a step back in progress. Mixed feelings on this. All I know is I'm going to scrounge some money together and make a big purchase of detail parts for that "just in case" senario.
Look at it this way... BLMA existed in the first place because there was a demand for highly detailed cars, low-center-bolster trucks, and detail parts. if Atlas kills the line, it opens up the space for another Craig to come along and fill it back in. The demand won't go away, and if Atlas is smart, they will capitalize (literally) on that.
Lets wait and see here. I too was a bit pessimistic on first hearing of this. After all, as someone who enjoys super detailing N scale locomotives, my first thought was about the details BLMA produces. It's sad to go through my pats bin and search through parts of companies no longer producing detail parts. Sunrise, JNJ just to name a few, all gone. BLMA was really the only game in town for horns, grabs, plows and ditch lights, just to name a few. Coming from a modeler that has worked in the industry, I know all to well what can happen when a big or older company purchases a smaller company? Remember Floquil? Remember Life-Like? That said, not every company is like RPM/Testor Corp or Walthers. RPM merely purchased Testors and Floquil to help in their small packaging and methodically discontinued lines in the process. Walthers on the other hand took Life-Like and made some things better. The already good SW and GP mechanisms were updated to DCC ready and the wheels appropriate for code 55 track as just a few examples. True the parts department is lacking but it could be worse in the whole. Atlas has shown itself to be a Model Railroad brand that listens. Paul himself comes on the board and has dialogue with us on many products. It's easy for a demographic such as we model railroader so who resist change (guilty as charged right here too) to think everything we love about one or both brands will be gone and we will have to search other avenues to fill the void. I say we wait, let's see what happens when a company built on the desire to reproduce some of the most authentic and detailed models is purchased by a company that mass produces a reliable locomotive, track system and more.
Thank you for all of the comments. First off, one of the key components of the deal is keeping Craig on as a consultant for the next few years. This is going to help us absorb the BLMA line and keep products coming on a regular basis, likely at a faster rate than BLMA was releasing their own line. As far as detail parts, it is our intention to keep them going, and we can promote the detail parts along with the locomotives they can be used with. For the trucks, many of our newer tooled cars use trucks with lowered bolsters as well, so there is no reason for us to change or discontinue these. I understand the concerns out there, but I am confident that this purchase is going to be positive.
I see this as a positive move for Atlas and shows that they want to improve their product line. Atlas isn't Microsoft, looking to devour and absorb its competition like the Borg. I've seen the Atlas product line improve over the years with products like their tank cars and box cars. The very fact that they have the Trainman product line for the budget minded as well as the Master line shows their sensitivity to the market. The Shay shows initiative and is a superb model. The one I have is still running like it was brand new. Congratulations to Atlas for seeing this excellent opportunity to improve and to Craig for a job well done! I look forward to seeing the future.
