Lionel is no more (I think) but what about Walthers and K-line and Atlas?
Unless the company is publically traded, all stock purchases would be private. I looked on Yahoo Finance and see no listings for the above companies. Most of the MRR companies are too small , or the stock is privately held for the most part. Even some large railroads like the Dakota, Minnesota, & Eastern are not listed(they are privately held), they control another regional through their Cedar American Rail Holdings(not listed as well).
If you are interested in investing in a model raolroad manufacturer, you should just contact them and ask if they are looking for investments…
Jim Bernier
There is no place in your investment portfolio for sentimentality or loyalty. As much as you might like to “own of piece of the action,” you really need look at the financial fundamentals of any company you invest in.
I’m not saying that MR companies wouldn’t be a good investment, but it’s much more important to treat all companies as if they manufacture, sell or ship generic “widgets.” Understanding the market for widgets is necessary, regardless of whether the widgets themselves are interesting.
For my own purposes, I’d rather make money in oil stocks and support Walthers by buying trains.
I agree with up above, Although i do own stock in Norfolk Southern, Havent lost money yet ;).
i look at this way A Hobby Suporting a Hobby, I get Money from NS and i use hte money to model the NS.
My layout could use an investor or two.[:)]
If you want to have train stocks go for the real thing. Check out BNSF they have been doing great. Between coal trains and stacks/piggy backs they are a real money maker.
If you want to invest in a non-publicly traded RR. You would have to call the home office. Some smaller railroads are traded as penny stocks. Some companies, like Kohler (I know it’s not a RR), do sell stock to the public in small batchs and the total is rarely over 5% of the total stock available. The problem is it isn’t usually voter stock. It is generally only low dividend stock.
If you want to invest in my railroad, I’ll let you. I’ve been eyeballing some new new power ( AC4400CW )for it.
lol
Craig
Walthers is Privately owned, in the family since founding.
Athearn is a division of Horizon Hobby of Illinois, which was founded in 1985, and are Family owned.
Roundhouse was started in 1938 by two musicians in the Bing Crosby band. After WW2, they two owners acquired two more partners and more capital for investment in the comapny, and formed Model Die Casting Inc (MDC), and also retained the trademark of Roundhouse. In 2004, Horizon Hobby Inc, acquired MDC as well as the Roundhouse name.
Well I think the time to invest would have been about 5 years ago when K-Line and Lionel were pleasing the Baby Boomers with new stuff who were redisoverring there old train sets. Sales were and for the forst ime in 30 years new train shops were being opened…now who knows??