About

Lima

Lima (Italian Metal Processing and Related) was founded in 1946 in Vicenza, Italy, initially serving as a specialized parts supplier for the Italian state railway. When the national railway began producing its own components in-house, the company pivoted its manufacturing expertise toward toys, eventually making its defining leap into plastic model trains in 1953. Under the leadership of Ottorino Bisazza, Lima adopted a strategy of mass-market affordability, utilizing the burgeoning technology of plastic injection molding to produce European prototypes at a price point that made the hobby accessible to a broad, international audience for the first time.

By the 1970s and 80s, Lima had evolved into a global powerhouse, producing rolling stock for markets as diverse as the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, and the United States. The brand became synonymous with the "pancake" G-motor—a simple, rugged drive system that powered millions of starter sets and ensured Lima's dominance in the entry-level segment. During this peak, the company was one of the largest model manufacturers in the world, renowned for its ability to quickly release new liveries and specialized regional prototypes. In later years, the brand introduced the "Lima Nova" line, which signaled a shift toward higher fidelity, featuring cardan drives and improved mechanical specifications to satisfy a more demanding collector market.

Following a period of consolidation within the Italian industry and a merger into the Rivarossi Group in the 1990s, Lima was eventually acquired by Hornby PLC in 2004. This acquisition transitioned the brand into the Hornby International portfolio, where it has been revitalized for the modern era. Today, the Lima name continues to represent a balance of heritage and innovation, offering the "Lima Hobby" line for newcomers and the "Lima Expert" range for advanced enthusiasts, specializing in high-fidelity Italian and European H0 scale models that preserve the brand’s legacy of democratic model railroading.
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Lima will attend the following events:
Hobby Model Expo | Segrate, IT Sep 25 - 27, 2026
Hobbymesse Leipzig | Leipzig, DE Oct 2 - 4, 2026
Modellbautage Tulln | Tulln, AT Oct 16 - 18, 2026
Faszination Modellbau | Friedrichshafen, DE Oct 30 - Nov 1, 2026
Lima attended the following events:
INTERMODELLBAU | Dortmund, DE Apr 16 - 19, 2026
Lleida Expo Train | Lleida, ES Mar 14 - 15, 2026
Model Expo Italy | Verona, IT Mar 7 - 8, 2026
RailExpo | Dreux, FR Nov 28 - 30, 2025

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Lima - Latest catalogs:

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Lima - Recently featured in the following photos:

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Lima - Now available miniatures:

DB - ICE 1 Tz 181 "Interlaken" electric multiple unit additional set

Article number: HL4676

Recommended price: 164.90 €

Available since: July 2023

DB - ICE 1 Tz 181 "Interlaken" electric multiple unit additional set

Article number: HL4679

Recommended price: 109.90 €

Available since: 2nd Quarter 2023

DB - ICE 1 Tz 181 "Interlaken" electric multiple unit additional set

Article number: HL4683

Recommended price: 269.90 €

Available since: 2nd Quarter 2023

DB - ICE 1 Tz 157 "Landshut" electric multiple unit set

Article number: HL1751

Recommended price: 249.90 €

Available since: 4th Quarter 2022

Lima - Latest announced miniatures:

SBB CFF FFS - RABe 503 018 "Zurich - Munich"

Manufacturer: Lima

Article number: HL1680

Expected availability: 3rd Quarter 2023

SBB CFF FFS - RABe 503 018 "Zurich - Munich" 3-unit additional set

Manufacturer: Lima

Article number: HL4680

Expected availability: 3rd Quarter 2023

DB - ICE 1 Tz 181 "Interlaken" electric multiple unit additional set

Manufacturer: Lima

Article number: HL4683

Available since: 2nd Quarter 2023

DB - ICE 1 Tz 181 "Interlaken" electric multiple unit set

Manufacturer: Lima

Article number: HL1752

Available since: 4th Quarter 2022

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