Maker record
Lobaugh
Lobaugh was an American maker of O-scale model railroad equipment, including locomotive and freight-car kits, assembled models, track parts and accessories. The range began in 1931 and was developed chiefly for two-rail electric operation, with some locomotives convertible to three-rail running. Lobaugh used machined components, sheet metal and bronze castings, and introduced features such as sprung locomotive bearings and enclosed gearboxes. Its products included detailed steam locomotives, freight cars and model-building parts.
- Founded
- 1931
- Locations
- San Francisco, California, United States · 1931 · South San Francisco, California, United States · 1953
- Founders
- Rollin J. Lobaugh
The story of Lobaugh
Lobaugh Model Trains began in San Francisco in 1931 under Rollin J. Lobaugh. Rollin had established Pacific Screw & Bolt in 1922 to machine screws, nuts and bolts; when demand for that work declined, the business began producing model-train parts and equipment. Its early range included O-scale and 7/16-inch-scale parts, kits and assembled models. Locomotives were designed for two-rail electric operation and could be adapted for three-rail use. The 1935 catalogue listed locomotive and rolling-stock parts, construction kits, completed models, track materials, accessories and hardware.
The first listed locomotives appeared in 1937: a Rock Island Mikado, a Southern Pacific Mountain and a Southern Pacific switcher. In 1939 Lobaugh introduced a large Union Pacific Challenger developed from prototype blueprints. The range expanded before the Second World War to include other articulated locomotives, passenger and freight cars, track products and more than 120 freight-car kits. Car construction changed over time: early kits used prepared wooden bodies, while steel sides became common after 1940. Production was interrupted by wartime conditions and resumed on a limited basis afterward.
The company moved to a new plant in South San Francisco in 1953. The 1955 catalogue included locomotives, freight cars, motors and individual replacement parts. Rollin Lobaugh was succeeded in the model-train business by Al Ellis, who took over in 1956; employee Jack Campbell purchased the model company in 1959. The specialist history records Lobaugh model production from 1931 through 1965 and subsequent transfers of inventory and tooling. Some Lobaugh kits were later brought back into production by owners of the tooling.
