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Lionel O Gauge Trains

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.

Vintage Model Railroads

Hobbyists collect lots of unusual things.  My brother collected Coca Cola cans from various places and I once met this guy who collected chocolate wrappers.  But collecting vintage model locomotives is a little different.  Part of it is that a lot of these locomotives can be rehabilitated and made to work again.  So it’s not like you are just staring at them in some book or on some wall.  The locomotives still can be made to serve their role in real life.  Try doing that with your stamp collection!   

What kinds of trains do collectors collect?  Well, there are lots of kinds but here are some of the most well loved and wonderful:

Lionel locomotives:  

We have to start with the big tuna, Lionel locomotives.  Lionel train has been the longest lasting model hobbying obsession.  Lionel trains once topped the model training community.  Baby boomers will recall the Lionel Holiday displays they saw as children.  Lionel’s classic toy locomotives are some of the most popular and widely purchased trains around.  Famous folks like the rocker Neil Young and the actor Tom Hanks have been life long Lionel fans.  Lionel has a extensive literature that helps support it.  Because Lionel was dominated in the 1950s and because the post War period was the high point of toy hobbying, it is no surprise that Lionel should be as well regarded as the company is.. Lionel’s value is raised by the truth that it positioned itself out of range for most customers back in the post war era, creating a scarcity that helps bouy its value even today.

American Flyers:  

Among hardcore collectors and model locomotive enthusiasts no type of toy train has more cachet than the American Flyer S scale models that came out just after World War II.  Although Gilbert failed to dethrone Lionel with his S scale locomotive in the 50’s, American Flyer locomotives are perhaps even more sought after today than Lionel’s vintage trains. Many collectors will absolutely swear by the quality of these locomotives. The uniqueness of s scale adds to the magic of the American Flyer brand.  They are so popular among collectors and hobbyists that Lionel LLC, the current holder of the American Flyer patent, plans on re-marketing many of the most popular locomotives from this period.  They are sure to disappear like hot cakes.

Ives:  

If you really want to get a train that no one has try locating an old Ives locomotive. Just before World War II it was an Ives, American Flyer, Lionel three way fight for supremacy.  An old Ives toy locomotive is a real find.  Most are in O gauge just like Lionel but they are real collector’s items these days. 

Clock operated locomotives of the Victorian era:  

These toy trains from the very early period of toy training are really a find.  These are mostly shown at shows these days but if you can actually find one, you’ll have a train that is really a part of the creation of toy locomotives.   These clock operated trains, however, really give you a sense of how such trains were viewed before toy training became so popular.   These classic model locomotives were clearly made for young people. They were clock operated because there was no power source yet.  They were largely purchased by the well off back in the day and that’s who can afford to collect them now.  They clearly had the children of the rich in mind.  These locomotives can really capture the imagination of another age.  These trains were part of the German obsession with development, and came to us along with kindergarten.  Both were part of Germany’s obsessions with childrearing in the early 20^th century.

Whatever style of classic toy train you choose to collect you will no doubt learn quite a bit about the history of model locomotives, toys in general and us as nation.  There are certainly worse pursuits to spend your time on.

Here is more information on Model Steam Trains. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.

American Model Trains

Pop quiz:  what are the three most widely recognized American toy trains manufacturers? I bet you’ll remember them when I remind you.  Here they are: “Lionel, American Flyer and Bachmann Trains”.  You probably didn’t known that Bachmann was American, but it is. And American Flyer was a maker not just a line of trains.  Here’s the skinny:

Lionel Trains:  

Lionel was perhaps the gold standard of model train makers back in the day.  Thanks to perfect marketing Lionel out maneuvered its enemies.  One tactic it used was to embed model trains to Christmas traditions, making the circular train tracks around the Christmas tree a staple of the Christmas iconography.  Their O gauge trains which were one 48^th the size of real world trains ruled the roast up until the 1950’s when HO scale trains started to take over the market.  Lionel began to have problems in the 1960’s and went through several rebirths before coming back in it current incarnation.  Now Lionel is making a comeback, again offering its O scale and some G scale models to a new audience of model train hobbyists. Their great trains are well loved by all.

American Flyer:  

We mostly recognize American Flyer trains as a line of trains now, but they were their own manufacturer until 1966 when they were bought out by Lionel. American Flyer had its humble beginning in turn of the century Chicago.  They were bought out by A C Gilbert who also popularized the famous “erector sets” of the early 20^thcentury. American Flyer was the most robust national competitor to Lionel and its trains are perhaps the most popular collectible trains to this day. After World War II the company slowly failed as its trains switched to S scale.  When Lionel bought American Flyer in 1966, they kept and refurbished much of the equipment.  In the last ten years Lionel has started reproducing the most famous and popular of the American Flyer trains using the original manufacturing devices but updating the trains with new sound systems and 21^st century quality controls.

Bachmann Industries:  

Although this was the tardiest of the three toy train makers to enter the model train market, it is the the oldest of the three–having been founded way back in 1833. Despite its move from Philidelphia to Beijing, the Carlisle’s and Bachmann’s ancestors still hold positions on the company’s board.  Bachmann had its rise after World War II when it created less expensive starter kits in HO scale meant to appeal to a larger audience than the Lionel and American Flyer brands.  Their success continues to this day and they remain one the leading HO producers in the world.

We have never had more choices in model training. The Internet has created whole new choices for model train hobbyists.  You can choose from almost any gauge and from any era of train at just the touch of button. The three American classics I have been discussing are really American treasures.

Here is more information on Toy Model Trains. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.