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Several companies do manufacture items "MADE IN THE USA" like Stewart or Bowser. However, many business have taken business to CHINA for plastic injection, assembly etc due to affordability. Quality control is important to the many manufactures who are competing in this tough market of model railroading. Customers demanding everything to be ready to roll and manufacturing one of every engine ever made painted in every road name only to purchase at below wholesale. Rivarossi originally made in Italy made major improvements on their locomotives drive train and weighting only after sending the manufacturing over to CHINA in 2001. Nevertheless, the cost of change, low profit margins and recent purchase of ARNOLD N scale cause bankrupcy even with lower manufacturing cost. LIMA since purchased Rivarossi/Arnold and are making a better product today than 10 years ago. The newcomer " Broadway Limited" made in South Korea is doing a superb job of making highly detail locomotives with full sound in both DC and DCC modes that is the envy to nearly every other manufacture trying to copy the operation of both DC and DCC modes with full sound quality. Many parts still are made in China to keep cost down, profits high while providing wonderful trains that have received superb reviews. Other manufactures such as MEHANO imported as IHC International Hobby Corporation is made in Slovenia. Small custom handcrafted locomtives can be found made across the United States too like Ron LaFever in Paris, Texas who builds customs CLIMAX locomotives that out perform those manufactured even in Brass. http://www.lafeverclimax.com/ From Small Businesses to large manufactures and importers, there surely is a train for you. The United States has lost a great deal of manufacturing overseas on nearly every product ever produced on our soil. My VOLVO has parts made in the USA and Sweden. Radio in Japan, tires from South America. We could cover issues like American Labor Unions, Federal Trade Agreements, Economics and the many concerns to supporting another country's economy. Often too, the American Copy being manufacture else where is done to better spec's improving the original product. And truly just as often we can purchase an item that surely should be labeled "WORTHLESS" regardless of where it was made. Foriegn manufacturing for American business is not something new either. During the 1930's the US shipped tons of scrap steel to Japan which in turn made items for the United States. Today, scrap recycled metals are crossing into Mexico via TFM "TEX-MEX" only to be turned into products for manufactures in the United States. such as the Worlds largest Off Shore Oil Rig, MADE IN TEXAS: Although the important issue is enjoying model railroading. The Quality time that you will enjoy with your son's and your friends as you build your collection and layout. I would recommend reviewing http://www.greatesthobby.com/ as a start and then working with your local hobby store or small on line business that can afford the time and concern to your issues. World economics is always trading off and manufacturing parts and supplies have moved from Austria, to Yugoslavia, to Japan and currently a great deal to CHINA. However, the enjoyment of that special locomotive with it's light brightly seen remains fasinating and exciting regardless of where the parts started out. Often the drawings and design began with an American or German Engineer with a wonderful idea that made DREAMS COME TRUE for the many of us know as Model railroaders.
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