From their creation in the early 1900s to the present day, Lionel trains have continuously evolved to keep up with the times. You may notice a marked similarity between today’s Lionel model trains and the trains that are seen careening through your town, as Lionel has added more realistic design features to the familiar lights, sounds, and smoke that we’ve come to expect from Lionel trains. Announcements of departures and arrivals are broadcast, and they include the number and name of the train that is being operated. Advances in the smoke functions create puffs of smoke correlated to the shaft’s wheel revolution! When Lionel model trains first emerged people were astounded by their realism, and contemporary models are no exception. No matter what model size you want, such as Traditional or Standard O, Lionel manufactures it. The potentialities to the realism of your train set are endless, thanks to the continual innovations in model train technology.
Lionel model trains can be relished by everyone, but if you are contemplating purchasing one for your child, keep in mind that they may be too young to operate it by themselves. Supervision of your child while they are playing with their model train is extremely vital, and use of the trains should be restricted to those 5 years of age and older. Children who are instructed at a young age, how to handle model trains, can grow to cherish the railroading hobby well into later years. And with the plethora of styles, accessories, and options available to you, your train set can be a continuing project that just keeps flourishing! New models, engines, cars, and buildings will always be introduced into the market.
Lionel trains are a great option, whether you are searching for your first set for your young child, or you are a model train aficionado, Lionel model trains should be your first choice.
Tags: electric train set, lionel train, lionel trains, model rr, model toy trains, model train, model trains, O gauge trains, scale trains, toy trains, train set, train sets, trains
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Joshua Lionel Cowen of the now iconic Lionel Trains was born in 1877 to Jewish immigrants. It was just after the Civil War that Lionel Cowen immigrated with his family, settling in New York. This was a time of change for everyone, including Cowen, not just with emigrating to the United States, but it was the time of the industrial revolution. Edison had just created the electric light and trains signaled the progress of change. America was finally joined by the Central and Union Pacific lines which meant both the shipping of goods, as well as people, was now a possibility in the exciting exploration of the west. Given the context of his formative years during the westward expansion and the industrial revolution, it’s quite fitting that Cowen would grow up to build and invent. As a college drop out, he had been quite productive, being credited around the turn of the century with some notable inventions, including the flashlight, and a patent for a device used to ignite the photographic flash of a camera.
Before the age of ten, it was said that Cowen had created his first working model trains. He carved a small train out of wood and fixed a small steam engine to it. His parents however weren’t too pleased when the steam engine exploded, damaging their kitchen. Even with this early set-back, his creativity was not quenched and went on to found the Lionel Corporation in 1900. It was at this point that rail travel was the seen as being the epitome of modernity, style, sophistication and progress. People of all ages were fascinated by this new technology.
The first successful Lionel train was the Electric Express. Ironically this train was not designed to be a toy or something for hobbyist. Its intended purpose was that of a store display gimmick. As a flat gondola train carrying featured merchandise around circular track in a store display window, the Electric Express simultaneously succeeded and failed. No one paid any attention to the contents of the display train, instead the electric train itself generated all the interest and many request to purchase it. Lionel Cowen made a smart decision after seeing this and brought Lionel Corporation around to focus on model trains that remain popular to this day.
In America, when thinking of model trains one can’t help but think of Lionel, the company that since it’s inception in 1900, made model trains popular with the masses. Although the company has come very close to being dissolved over the last twenty years, today Lionel train sets are being made by Lionel LLC which is the owner of the Lionel trademark which has become synonymous with toy trains since their beginning.
Today the company may look different from the past in terms of it’s corporate structure, but one thing remains the same; Lionel’s commitment to making high quality model trains that both children and collectors alike can enjoy. While model trains may not be as popular as they once were, this certainly does not mean that they have fallen off the face of the planet. Children today have many more options when it comes to toys including electronic toys like video games that playing with a train set isn’t what it once was in terms of popularity.
As adults, many of us can reminisce about our childhood and the Lionel trains we played with. The largest wrapped big box under the Christmas tree on Christmas day in the morning, or finding a new train set up mysteriously set up triggers some great memories for many. The love for model train along with the pleasant childhood memories of them remains with many of us into adulthood. As an adult with more money than our childhood allowances, we are enabled to realize many of our childhood model train dreams.
As Lionel has matured as a company, almost disappearing yet coming back strong with a vengeance, several other model train companies are beginning to share the model railroading spotlight. New innovations are being introduced by model train companies like MTH Railking. With their high level of realism and detail, MTH is pushing the boundaries of modern model railroading. This competition is good for Lionel as they have been able meet the market need for more realism and complexity in response to other competitors. In any case, even with new competition and other manufacturers on the model train scene, model railroaders of all kinds appreciate the history and contributions, past, present and future of Lionel model trains.
admin | September 18, 2009