Robert schleicher talks about lionel model trains, including the history of the company and the various models and designs they produced. Colorful trade catalog for lionel trains issued by the lionel corporation, makers of the iconic american childrens toy railroad system. 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. Champion of o gauge and toy trains, lionel is an absolute musthave brand for train collectors like you. Greenberg has 27 books on goodreads with 27 ratings. Ho scale trains resource documents the history of readytorun model trains. Lionel trains a collectors guide and history volume 1 prewar. New book lionel collectors guide and history the archives free shipping. Toy trains and model railroads were its main claim to fame. 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. This may result in delayed shipments during this mandatory compliance period. 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.
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. Products are created in celebration of lcca events and for other purposes. 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. 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. To sell your smaller collection we suggest checking out, checking with your local train store, or ebay. Each section of the lionel a collectors guide and history v2 discusses the rating of the equipment in that section. Lionel s polar express readytorun ogauge train set. 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. The sets of passenger trains, work trains, army trains and freight trains are illustrated and discussed.
So boys and their dads were encouraged to plan your postwar railroad in lionels model builder magazine and railroad planning book. While real trains go back to the advent of the industrial revolution in the early 1800s, toy trains emerged later. 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. Product title lionel o gauge santa fe super chief electric model train set with remote and bluetooth capability average rating.
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. As i near retirement, im thinking that a lionel set in my man cave would be great. Greenbergs most popular book is greenbergs guide to lionel trains, 19011942. The set included a 400e engine and state passenger cars, all in mint condition in the original box. Prewar o gauge lionel collectors guide by tom mccomas, james tuohy, et al. A brief history of lionel ho scale trains model railroad news. We are always looking to buy postwar o gauge, prewar trains, standard. 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. Lionel products are today more technologically advanced than ever, thanks to such innovations as fastrack and the legacy control system. Lionel history books lionel and american flyer trains and. Wooden and metal toys resembling trains were first made in europe in the 1860s. The powered units such as trolleys, work cranes, small switchers, etc. 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.
It has books and references to help with the design and construction of home layouts, on such topics. Unfollow lionel postwar trains to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. The father and son railroad of joshua lionel cowen and lawrence cowen ended. Lionel trains value varies depending on design, materials, and era. An american icon, was recently published by motorbooks. 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. Excellent book, i would recommend any lionel fan buy this 6 volume set for lionel history.
Lionel a collectors guide and history v2 on the rail books. 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. Founded by joshua lionel cowen in 1900, lionel trains is one of the most beloved of all model train brands. Lionel trains nyc flyer 080 lionchief set with bluetooth, o gauge. Toy trains and american dreams hardcover by roger carp.
Organized by year, the book features thousands of trains, sets and accessories in. In collaboration with lionel, the club creates unique toy train products according to its priorities and programs. Information about products, business opportunities, and dealers. Lionels toy train catalogs of the 1920s and 1930s described them as outfits, but today collectors commonly call them sets. Highlights of this postwwii catalog include the o27 gauge express freights, hot shots. A collectors guide and history to lionel trains, 6volume. 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. Prewar lionel model railroad train sets collectors weekly. You can read more about it in the above mentioned book, available from project. Over the next five years, mccomas and tuohy wrote six hardcover books on the history of lionel and how to collect lionel trains. Manufacturer of model trains and accessories in o and standard gauges. In order to be compliant with local ordinances, our warehouse has implemented the new social distancing requirements. 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. 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 trains a collectors guide and history volume 1 prewar o guagespiral bound paperbackgood used read condition combined shipping available lot1 283288250425. He has written four books on the history of lionel and collects postwar lionel trains and accessories. 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. By 1901, lionel made its first electric train for use in store display windows. 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 his book, collectible lionel classics, toy train expert, roger carp, provides detailed information on 100. Robert schleicher tracks the history of lionel model trains. Lionel trains, a pictorial history of trains and their collectors is the perfect gift for anyone who operates lionel. A collectors guide and history to lionel trains, 6volume hardcover set mccomas. In 1979, lionel took this a step farther and introduced an entire series of themed sets.
Lionel corporation was an american toy manufacturer and holding company of retailers that has been in business for over 120 years. Lionel history books lionel and american flyer trains. Provides hobbyist and club information and free downloads are available. 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. The 1952 consumer catalogue continued to introduce new trains to the lionel product line. 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. The impeccable research by lionel historian robert j.
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. When it came to electric trains, no retail catalog could match the excitement generated by the latest lionel catalog. Buildings, structures, trackside and operating accessories. All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners. Many parts for trains made throughout lionels history are still available.
Vintage lionel trains for sale vintage used lionel train. Lionel actually had its own television show, but the new medium soon mesmerized america, and interest in toy trains waned. Regardless of which term you choose, youll find a wealth of new and vital information in greenbergs guide to lionel trains, 19011942. Books about the history of lionel trains from its inception in 1900 to present. The halloween general train set remake and its addon cars. Lionel also introduced the socalled paper train, a detailed set of cutandfold. Mccomas paid the bank back and found himself in the publishing business.
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. The history of a manufacturing icon and the place where childhood dreams were made. Since the mccomastuohy books, many more have been written on collecting trains, but those first. This book gives ideas and suggestions especially the track types and layouts.
The rest of the lionel team is working remotely and you can continue to shop online and through our call center. When joshua lionel cohen designed his first electric train in 1900, he wasnt trying to make a toy for children. Sep 9, 2019 my husbands childhood train set lionel o 27 train set. For 120 years, lionel trains has captured the hearts and stirred the imaginations of young and old. Lionel products of this period included a stereo camera, the pastelcolored lady lionel train set, and trains with space age and cold war themes. Popular childrens books and movies feature trains trains also reappeared in books and movies that were intended for children but also enjoyed by adults. Robert has written multiple books on lionel trains and slot cars. Miniature railway book handbook in english model train set. Also many smaller train sets came with small transformers which are seldom worth.
If you want to get into lionel trains and havent touch them since the 195060s this is a good book. If you want to check out other brands as well, feel free to head to our entire model train collection. Antique train sets faqs for lionel collectors club of america. Lionels famous american railroad series 197985 trainz. My dad got me a big lionel train set when i was about 8. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. It was founded as an electrical novelties company, lionel specialized in various products throughout its existence. Unboxing lionels new readytorun o gauge electric train set featuring a gp38, evans autoloader car, spine car with trailer, and southern pacifictype caboose. Collectible train sets collector trains lionel collectibles. Lionel, llc is an american designer and importer of toy trains and model railroads that is headquartered in concord, north carolina. 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.
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