Lima
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 - Latest catalogs:
Novelties & Catalog 2026
H0 / HO (1:87) / de, en, fr, it, es
Novità & Catalogo 2026
H0 / HO (1:87) / de, en, fr, it, es
Novità & Catalogo 2025
H0 / HO (1:87) / de, en, fr, it, es
Novelties & Catalog 2025
H0 / HO (1:87) / de, en, fr, it, es
Catalog 2024
H0 / HO (1:87) / de, en, fr, it, es
Catalog 2024
H0 / HO (1:87) / de, en, fr, it, es
Neuheiten 2023
H0 / HO (1:87), N (1:160), TT (1:120) / de
Lima Expert - Catalog 2023
H0 / HO (1:87) / de, en, fr, it, es
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Lima - Recently featured in the following videos:
Intermodellbau Dortmund 2026 – Part 2 | ACME, Piko, LS Models, Rivarossi, Arnold, ESU, Lemke, ...
Salon International du Train Miniature de Bourges 2026 – Full Event in 360° (DJI Osmo 360)
Salon International du Train Miniature de Bourges 2026 - Hornby (Jouef, Arnold, Lima, Rivarossi, …)
Salon International du Train Miniature de Bourges 2026 | Jouef, REE Modèles, Lematec, Fulgurex, ...
Model Expo Italy 2026 - ACME, Rivarossi, Lima, Piko, ViTrains, Jouef, etc. + Layouts & Dioramas
Model Expo Italy 2026: Hornby (Rivarossi, Electrotren, Jouef, Arnold, Lima)
Savoie Modélisme 2025 – Manufacturers, Prototypes & Layouts
Faszination Modellbau 2025 – Manufacturers & New Releases
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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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