Manufacturers doing business in today's market include Lionel; MTH; Weaver; Williams; American Models; Atlas; Bachmann; Kato; and Walthers.

Vintage manufacturers include Lionel Corporation, Ives, K-Line, Forney, Beggs, Bing, Bassett-Lowke, American Flyer (Lionel is now producing American Flyer), Marx, McCoy, Voltamp, Dorfan, Fandor, Howard, and many others.

Standards for condition and grading have been developed by TCA that are widely accepted by individuals, websites, [1] and auction houses.

[4] These condition standards, together with the rarity of the item, will help to determine the dollar value and the collectability of a particular train or accessory.

[11] Some local divisions and chapters assist the Boy Scouts of America with the Railroading Merit Badge.