Lionel O Gauge Trains
admin | April 22, 2010
Ahh Lionel Trains…who hasn’t heard of them? Baby boomers still remember Lionel as the crème-de-la-crème of model trains. If you grew up in the postwar period and you saw a model train setup at a store, without fail it was a Lionel model train setup. In New York City, for example, almost every major department store put up a Lionel train display on or near their toy department. Although its not what it used to be, Lionel still gives off a certain aura. Here’s the story why:
It’s the O gauge: Part of the reason why Lionel fell from power in the post World War II era can be explained by the size of its locomotive. Lionel trains were usually in O gauge, but with the growth of model training in the 50’s more and more middle class model train hobbyists began to purchase trains for smaller spaces. Real world trains are just 48 times the size of O gauge model trains. The smaller 4’ x 8’ space required by HO models lured would be Lionel customers away. Lionel’s failure to stay in tune with changing times is what cost it and what makes its odd scale a real draw for enthusiasts these days.
Lionel’s long history makes it a model train lover’s favorite: Because Lionel has been around for so long and was so popular in yesteryear it is one of the favorites of collectors. We cannot down play the nostalgia that Lionel inspires. These are, after all, the toy trains they grew up on or would like to have grown up on. Lionel’s durability also has helped it with fans.
You’ll find no lack of manuals and news items on Lionel: Unlike a lot of toy train manufacturers, you can find several books focused specifically to Lionel. Lionel books come in two variations. First, there are books that are specifically devoted to getting you going with model training using Lionel O gauge trains. Second, there are several books that focus on the many incarnations of Lionel trains from the early days to the present.
Finally, Lionel is popular because they just made good trains: Ahh, the quality of Lionel trains! No train is better for detailing and weathering. The size of Lionel trains make it a favorite among people who love to paint and detail model trains. The scale is also a big aesthetic draw for hobbyist’s who value looks. You simply can’t look over a Lionel train.
Regardless of the company’s finances, Lionel O gauge should be a mainstay for the foreseeable future. It’s hard to visualize the model train world without Lionel. Lionel on very few occasions disappoints.
Here is more information on Toy Model Trains. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.
