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Lima Models were made in and N scale models in Europe, Australia and the United States . This included ranges of France, Germany, Italy, Swiss, and American models, as well as a few items aimed at more obscure markets in South Africa, Scandinavia, and Australia. Lima also produced a small range of O Scale models. Over the years, Lima partnered with various distributors and manufacturers, producing models that at various times were sold under such brands as A.H.M., Model Power, and Minitrain. In the 1990s, the market took a turn for the worse, and Lima merged with Rivarossi , Arnold , and Jouef in an attempt to remain viable in a marketplace increasingly pressured by superior product from the Far East. Ultimately, the consolidation failed and operations ceased just after the start of the new millennium. On March 10, 2004 Hornby offered €8 million to acquire assets from Lima. Hornby intends to maintain Lima’s current product lines, which include Rivarossi (HO scale based on North American and Italian prototypes), Arnold (N scale with an emphasis on European prototypes), Jouef (HO scale with a focus on French prototypes), and Pocher (die-cast metal automobile kits). Hornby will outsource production to China to help reduce production costs. After a couple years of legal wrangling, the Italian Bankruptcy court approved Hornby's offer to acquire the assets including tooling, inventory, and the various brand names. As of this writing (Dec 2005), the first signs of a reemergent Lima are appearing. Frank Martin, Hornby’s chief executive, said, "We are delighted that the Italian court has recognized the merits of our offer. Now, subject to our diligence, we hope to complete the acquisition before the end of the year. We are excited by the potential for the Lima brands which, along side our Spanish operation Electrotren , will form the platform for our expansion into key European markets. Over the long term we are confident that this will also increase our rate of growth in the USA". THE UK SCENE By the late 1980s Lima was heavily focused on the British outline range {Link without Title} as the UK railway system was undergoing significant change at the time, due to privatisation of the then state carrier British Rail. Lima were able to amply supply this diverse market with highly detailed models due to their capability to do small production runs (c.500). This was in contrast to Hornby who required minimum runs of 4000 plus. Consequently Riko International, Lima's UK Distributor, were able to provide models within weeks of the real thing. By the mid '90s this change had slowed and Lima was lumbered with a UK product range of over 300 models,some of questionable quality {Link without Title} , while still producing new variations at a rate of five or more new schema a month. Over 60 versions of the Class 47 alone were released. The market failed to keep up with the demand for models, which had increased in price from £20 to c.£30 each. In 1995, Riko International ran a clearance campaign with a mass sale of the entire range of existing stock (at c.£19.95 per model)including all items in the range from Class 08 to Class 87. This stimulated a year long demand in the industry. In 1996 new models were introduced on a monthly basis at £35 each. Customer demand however shifted to the now considerable second-hand market. Models were available at up to 30% less than the retail price due to the large volumes available thanks to the '95 sale. Towards the end of the 1990s the production of the Class 92 with a single colour scheme (yet over seven actual variations) did not arouse public interest at the expected 30,000 production and £50 price tag. There was also an attempt to compete with Hornby and Bachmann by introducing new paint schema on old 1980s steam models. Riko International went into receivership in 1999. Their two main operations - the Beatties chain of Model Shops and the UK importation of Lima and other model brands both closed. The new Lima importer, The Hobby Company commenced by commissioning further repaints and a new model, the Class 66. In early 2000 Lima finally delivered the highly acclaimed class 67 which was supposed to set new standards at a time of rising industry standards and the entrance of Heljan to the UK market. The Class 67 while having a much improved motor had many obvious defiencies and failed to make an impact. This turned out to be the last completely new model from Lima and the company subsequently folded. Hornby acquired the Lima model moulds but to date has not yet produced any of the old range. Both Hornby and Bachmann intend to produce much more detailed new models of the old Lima range (class 08, 20, 31, 40, 50, 55, 60, 92, Crab, Small Prarie), together with Heljan (33, 52). Limited Editions To enhance sales Lima in the mid-1990s began to produce models in small quantities (550 - 850 range). This commenced with a model of Class 50 50 008 "Thunderer". issued at a price of £32.99. This was immediately successful and within weeks commanded a price of over £100. Others in the range (of 1 per month approx) were more or less successful. Interestingly at the same time, the 'normal' production runs were produced in smaller numbers than the 'Limited' Editions, as the then UK importer only ordered from Lima a volume roughly in line with orders received in advance by retailers. Lima also commenced models for shops who purchased the entire production run, and retailed through their stores. This began with Cheltenham Model Centre's D1015 Western Champion. Over 100 such models were produced this way. LIMA STATESIDE... Lima produced a variety of HO models for the North American market. Initially, the quality was on par with other brands of the era, but competitors' improvements in detail and running characteristics soon relegated much of Lima's product to near toy status. At least one round of improvements were made, but Lima never quite caught up with its competition. The company also entered N scale fairly early in the game, producing at first Continental and British outline stock, some of which was fancifully decorated for North American railroads and sold in the States under the A.H.M. brand. Eventually, Lima developed a small assortment of distinctive American equipment, including four diesel locomotives, heavyweight passenger cars, several freight cars, and a caboose. Generally, the N scale line suffered from the same lack of improvements that plagued the North American HO offerings. ...AND ON THE CONTINENT Lima's continental outline catalog concentrated first on German and then Italian and Swiss equipment. Their relatively inexpensive offerings doubtless brought many people into the hobby. A modest assortment of accessories, including operable pieces like grade crossings and an intermodal terminal, as well as static structures and lineside details, enhanced the 'playtime' pleasure of building and operating a Lima-based train layout. |
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