All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners. To sell your smaller collection we suggest checking out, checking with your local train store, or ebay. Lionel trains value varies depending on design, materials, and era. A collectors guide and history to lionel trains, 6volume hardcover set mccomas. Provides hobbyist and club information and free downloads are available. In 1979, lionel took this a step farther and introduced an entire series of themed sets. Lionel also introduced the socalled paper train, a detailed set of cutandfold. A collectors guide and history to lionel trains, 6volume. Toy trains and model railroads were its main claim to fame. Champion of o gauge and toy trains, lionel is an absolute musthave brand for train collectors like you.
In his book, collectible lionel classics, toy train expert, roger carp, provides detailed information on 100. Lionels toy train catalogs of the 1920s and 1930s described them as outfits, but today collectors commonly call them sets. The set included a 400e engine and state passenger cars, all in mint condition in the original box. The impeccable research by lionel historian robert j. Since the mccomastuohy books, many more have been written on collecting trains, but those first. Its roots lie in the 1969 purchase of the lionel product line from the lionel corporation by cereal conglomerate general mills and subsequent purchase in 1986 by businessman richard p. Lionel products of this period included a stereo camera, the pastelcolored lady lionel train set, and trains with space age and cold war themes. Author and hobby veteran bob schleicher updates his classic onestop, handson treasury of practical advice for lionel enthusiasts to include products such as fastrack and legacy, which were unavailable at the time of its original publication in 2004. When joshua lionel cohen designed his first electric train in 1900, he wasnt trying to make a toy for children. Product title lionel o gauge santa fe super chief electric model train set with remote and bluetooth capability average rating. Rather, he thought his wooden, openbed gondola with the words electric express on the side would make a good vehicle to show off the wares of manhattan toystore merchant robert ingersol. Over the next five years, mccomas and tuohy wrote six hardcover books on the history of lionel and how to collect lionel trains. Lionel enthusiasts young and old will be fascinated by the thousands of fullcolor and historic photos displayed in this exciting new book, as well as the lionel time line that details the ongoing history of lionel trains.
In 1974, with the introduction of the bicentennial train set, lionel began the production of theme sets, topoftheline train sets whose pieces were sold individually. Greenberg has 27 books on goodreads with 27 ratings. At auction, lionel train sets, pieces, and accessories can sell for a few hundred dollars or for a few thousand dollars, depending on the rarity and condition of the piece. You can read more about it in the above mentioned book, available from project. If you want to check out other brands as well, feel free to head to our entire model train collection. In collaboration with lionel, the club creates unique toy train products according to its priorities and programs. Popular childrens books and movies feature trains trains also reappeared in books and movies that were intended for children but also enjoyed by adults. By 1901, lionel made its first electric train for use in store display windows. Wooden and metal toys resembling trains were first made in europe in the 1860s. He has written four books on the history of lionel and collects postwar lionel trains and accessories. Lionel corporation was an american toy manufacturer and holding company of retailers that has been in business for over 120 years. The lionel corporation itself would continue on as a holding company, investing in various chains of retail stores and electronics companies while receiving royalties on toy train sales made by general mills later lionel trains, inc.
Prewar lionel model railroad train sets collectors weekly. Prewar o gauge lionel collectors guide by tom mccomas, james tuohy, et al. Lionel trains nyc flyer 080 lionchief set with bluetooth, o gauge. My dad got me a big lionel train set when i was about 8. If you want to get into lionel trains and havent touch them since the 195060s this is a good book. Lionel history books lionel and american flyer trains. Aug 07, 2018 unboxing lionel s new readytorun o gauge electric train set featuring a gp38, evans autoloader car, spine car with trailer, and southern pacifictype caboose. Introduced in 1957 and dropped following its appearance in lionels 1966 catalog, the 1950s1960s lionel releases mark the companys first run at ho model trains. Grzyboskis train store is pennsylvanias largest lionel dealer and specializes in lionel train sets and accessories and other fine manufacturers like american flyer and kline. This book gives ideas and suggestions especially the track types and layouts. This practice had built steady sales for the company and established its lowend scout sets in the marketplace, so much so that lionel brought back the same set cataloged in 1953, the no. Lionel history books lionel and american flyer trains and. Lionel products are today more technologically advanced than ever, thanks to such innovations as fastrack and the legacy control system.
Miniature railway book handbook in english model train set. Ho scale trains resource documents the history of readytorun model trains. Books about the history of lionel trains from its inception in 1900 to present. Robert schleicher tracks the history of lionel model trains. Lionels famous american railroad series 197985 trainz. When it came to electric trains, no retail catalog could match the excitement generated by the latest lionel catalog. Expand your options of fun home activities with the largest online selection at. Highlights of this postwwii catalog include the o27 gauge express freights, hot shots. Excellent book, i would recommend any lionel fan buy this 6 volume set for lionel history. New book lionel collectors guide and history the archives free shipping. In 1991, it sold its trademarks to lionel trains, inc. I never knew that there was a different track types and radius until i read this book.
Sep 9, 2019 my husbands childhood train set lionel o 27 train set. Each section of the lionel a collectors guide and history v2 discusses the rating of the equipment in that section. It has books and references to help with the design and construction of home layouts, on such topics as wiring, scenery, bench work, track plans, and many others. Collectingwise, the girls set, this is a set that lionel brought out in 1957 in fact, i have an article about it in lionel trains of a 1950s. Buildings, structures, trackside and operating accessories. Lionel, llc is an american designer and importer of toy trains and model railroads that is headquartered in concord, north carolina. Colorful trade catalog for lionel trains issued by the lionel corporation, makers of the iconic american childrens toy railroad system. Many parts for trains made throughout lionels history are still available. The sets of passenger trains, work trains, army trains and freight trains are illustrated and discussed. The history of a manufacturing icon and the place where childhood dreams were made is for youdelivering a fascinating trip through the rise, fall and rise again of lionel, one of the manufacturing and pop icons in modern american life. Like the mighty locomotives and dynamic railroads, to your favorite licensed trains of our most popular the polar express, harry potter, thomas and friends and more, lionel train sets are packed with animation and excitement. Organized by year, the book features thousands of trains, sets and accessories in. Manufacturer of model trains and accessories in o and standard gauges. For 120 years, lionel trains has captured the hearts and stirred the imaginations of young and old.
Founded by joshua lionel cowen in 1900, lionel trains is one of the most beloved of all model train brands. An american icon, was recently published by motorbooks. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Antique train sets faqs for lionel collectors club of america. Lionel trains, a pictorial history of trains and their collectors is the perfect gift for anyone who operates lionel. Lionel actually had its own television show, but the new medium soon mesmerized america, and interest in toy trains waned. Products are created in celebration of lcca events and for other purposes.
Greenbergs most popular book is greenbergs guide to lionel trains, 19011942. Complete hard to find set a collectors guide and history to lionel trains, 6volume set authors. Toy trains and american dreams hardcover by roger carp. Robert has written multiple books on lionel trains and slot cars.
Lionel and in at that time in 1957 was trying to expand into new markets, new niches in the hobby and so the idea came about because they were aware that other toy companies had aimed products at. A brief history of lionel ho scale trains model railroad news. Regardless of which term you choose, youll find a wealth of new and vital information in greenbergs guide to lionel trains, 19011942. Mccomas paid the bank back and found himself in the publishing business. It has books and references to help with the design and construction of home layouts, on such topics. The father and son railroad of joshua lionel cowen and lawrence cowen ended in 1959, when they sold their interest in lionel to distant relative roy cohn. While real trains go back to the advent of the industrial revolution in the early 1800s, toy trains emerged later. The halloween general train set remake and its addon cars. This may result in delayed shipments during this mandatory compliance period. When a british childrens book series was cleverly animated using sets that looked for all the world like a large model railroad, thomas the tank captured the hearts of young and old alike.
Information about products, business opportunities, and dealers. Lionel trains a collectors guide and history volume 1 prewar o guagespiral bound paperbackgood used read condition combined shipping available lot1 283288250425. The closest lionel came prior to 1957 to marketing to the more serious or hobby end of ho was a preworld war ii line of ooscale 176 model trains. Also many smaller train sets came with small transformers which are seldom worth. So boys and their dads were encouraged to plan your postwar railroad in lionels model builder magazine and railroad planning book. Lionel trains a collectors guide and history volume 1 prewar. As i near retirement, im thinking that a lionel set in my man cave would be great. The 1952 consumer catalogue continued to introduce new trains to the lionel product line. We are always looking to buy postwar o gauge, prewar trains, standard. The rest of the lionel team is working remotely and you can continue to shop online and through our call center. It was founded as an electrical novelties company, lionel specialized in various products throughout its existence.
Vintage lionel trains for sale vintage used lionel train. The lots reference library is provided as a service to lots members, designed to assist them in the many operating and collecting aspects of lionel trains. The father and son railroad of joshua lionel cowen and lawrence cowen ended. Unboxing lionels new readytorun o gauge electric train set featuring a gp38, evans autoloader car, spine car with trailer, and southern pacifictype caboose. Tom mccomas and james tuohy hardcover books all in dust jackets, all housed in a dark blue slipcase some wear dust jackets on books shows some minor wear. Lionel s polar express readytorun ogauge train set. Unfollow lionel postwar trains to stop getting updates on your ebay feed.
Robert schleicher talks about lionel model trains, including the history of the company and the various models and designs they produced. The powered units such as trolleys, work cranes, small switchers, etc. Nov 15, 2017 introduced in 1957 and dropped following its appearance in lionels 1966 catalog, the 1950s1960s lionel releases mark the companys first run at ho model trains. Collectible train sets collector trains lionel collectibles. This very well researched and organized book on lionel train sets of the golden era is an absolute must have for the serious lionel collector. The history of a manufacturing icon and the place where childhood dreams were made. In order to be compliant with local ordinances, our warehouse has implemented the new social distancing requirements. Lionel a collectors guide and history v2 on the rail books.
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