About

Rivarossi

Rivarossi was founded in late 1945 by Alessandro Rossi and Antonio Riva in Como, Italy, marking the birth of the Italian model railway industry. While Riva left the company shortly after its inception, Rossi, an engineer by training, quickly revolutionized the field by transitioning from traditional metal construction to high-detail plastic injection molding. This innovation allowed the brand to achieve a level of prototypical realism that was previously unattainable, establishing Rivarossi as a pioneer of the H0 (1:87) scale across Europe.

During its "golden era" in the 1960s, Rivarossi achieved significant international success, particularly in the United States, where it exported a vast majority of its production. The brand became legendary for its meticulously detailed recreations of massive American steam locomotives, such as the iconic "Big Boy" and "Allegheny." These models were praised for their mechanical reliability and aesthetic fidelity, often featuring multi-part drive rods and scale-accurate liveries that catered to a growing market of serious collectors.

In the 1990s, Rivarossi expanded through the acquisition of other major brands, including Lima, Jouef and Arnold. However, financial challenges eventually led to the group’s acquisition by Hornby PLC in 2004. Today, headquartered in the United Kingdom, Rivarossi remains the flagship specialist for Italian and international H0 prototypes within the Hornby International portfolio. The brand continues to focus on premium, museum-quality rolling stock, utilizing advanced digital features and fine-scale components to preserve its legacy of Italian engineering excellence.
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Rivarossi 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
Rivarossi 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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Rivarossi - Latest catalogs:

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Rivarossi - Recently featured in the following photos:

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Rivarossi - Now available miniatures:

Cisalpino - ETR.470 tilting high-speed train (5-unit pack intermediate coaches)

Article number: HR3025

Recommended price: 274.90 €

Available since: March 2026

Cisalpino - ETR.470 tilting high-speed train

Article number: HR2963S

Recommended price: 544.90 €

Available since: March 2026

Cisalpino - ETR.470 tilting high-speed train

Article number: HR2963

Recommended price: 399.90 €

Available since: March 2026

SBB CFF FFS - Habils freight wagons set

Article number: HR6650

Recommended price: 99.00 €

Available since: 1st Quarter 2026

Rivarossi - Latest announced miniatures:

FS - E.656.023 electric locomotive (anniversary edition)

Manufacturer: Rivarossi

Article numbers: HR2977, HR2977HM

Announced: September 2025

Trenitalia - ETR.460 "Frecciabianca" tilting high-speed train

Manufacturer: Rivarossi

Article numbers: HR2962, HR2962S

Expected availability: 3rd Quarter 2025

Cisalpino - ETR.470 tilting high-speed train

Manufacturer: Rivarossi

Article numbers: HR2963, HR2963S

Available since: March 2026

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