Lima model railway

Lima (Lavorazione Italiana Metalli e Affini) is a legendary name in the model railway industry, originally founded in Vicenza, Italy, in 1946. Initially a producer of aluminum toys, the brand pivoted to affordable H0 scale model trains in the 1950s, eventually becoming one of the largest manufacturers in the world. Their products were staple toys for generations across Europe and Australia, known for making model railroading accessible to the mass market through plastic-based construction.

Throughout the 1990s, the company underwent various structural changes, merging with Rivarossi and Arnold to form the Lima S.p.A. group. However, following financial difficulties, the brand and its assets were acquired by the British company Hornby Hobbies Ltd in 2004. Since this acquisition, production has largely been moved from Italy to manufacturing facilities in China to optimize production costs while maintaining global distribution.

Today, Lima continues to exist as a heritage brand under the Hornby umbrella, focusing on specific regional markets like Italy with specialized H0 scale models. The brand represents a significant piece of European industrial history, transitioning from a local metalworker to a global icon in the hobbyist market under British corporate ownership.