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.
See more
Rivarossi will attend the following events:
INTERMODELLBAU | Dortmund, DE Apr 16 - 19, 2026
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:
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
Expomodeltrain | Madrid, ES Nov 7 - 9, 2025

Advertising:

Latest released miniatures from Rivarossi:

SBB CFF FFS - Habils freight wagons set

Article number: HR6650

Recommended price: 99.00 €

Released: 1st Quarter 2026

TRANSFESA / HISPANAUTO - Laeks "Mega Car Carrier" freight wagon

Article number: HR6684

Recommended price: 69.90 €

Released: 1st Quarter 2026

DB - "TEE Bavaria" passenger coaches set

Article number: HR4373

Recommended price: 223.90 €

Released: 2nd Quarter 2025

CIWL - "Edelweiss Pullman Express" passenger coaches set

Article number: HR4391

Recommended price: 259.90 €

Released: 2nd Quarter 2025

Latest disclosed miniatures from Rivarossi:

FS - E.656.023 electric locomotive (anniversary edition)

Manufacturer: Rivarossi

Article numbers: HR2977, HR2977HM

Disclosed: September 2025

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

Manufacturer: Rivarossi

Article numbers: HR2962, HR2962S

Expected: 3rd Quarter 2025

Cisalpino - ETR.470 tilting high-speed train

Manufacturer: Rivarossi

Article numbers: HR2963, HR2963S

Expected: 3rd Quarter 2025

Latest catalogs from Rivarossi:

Advertising:

Discussion forum