History of Lionel Trains

In order to understand and appreciate the history behind Lionel Trains, we have to travel back in time to the beginning of the 18th century to set our imagination and move forward from there. The first ever wooden and metal floor trains were rolled in the 1860s which got better by the 1890 or so during which time a series of wind-up and electronic train sets were created. At the dawn of the 20th century and to be precise in 1901, Lionel completed the building up of an electric train set which they displayed in their stores. It was considered to be a piece of marvel that not only caught the eyes and imaginations of youngsters but also the grown up ones. Naturally, it found a place in everyone’s Christmas list. From that year and up to 1970s or so, these electric train sets grew in popularity with Lionel achieving one feat over another. In 1934, Lionel's ‘Standard Gauge Tinplate Commodore Vanderbilt’ was released for the first time in the USA which became the prototype for the first toy train. The design was anything but superb as it comprised a true-life sound system and owning such a train was considered to be both an exciting experience and a privilege. Then came the Lionel’s ‘Union Pacific Veranda Turbine diesel-power train set'. It was distinct from the previous ones by being a first of its kind in that it could be assembled and disassembled. To cut the story short, there is was no stopping of the Lionel Trains from becoming more and more innovative. A clear pattern emerged from the way Lionel Trains have been evolving. From wood to electric, from Ho trains to N scale trains and then z scale (which have made the sizes tinier and tinier), introduction of digital control systems, all have made the lives of children a delightful experience. Lionel trains acquired a cult status with the growing list of collectors and hobbyist of model railroading. Those who possessed it have become more and more nostalgic, especially when we consider the fact that some of their collections are older than them. Lionel Trains have kindled the curiosity in the minds of the collectors who have been growing day by day. Even by conservative estimates, in the USA and other parts of the world as Germany, Canada, Australia, UK and Japan, there are more than 500000 participating in the model railroading hobby clubs and the numbers are only growing if any to attest to its popularity. Commercially, some of them may be worth thousands of dollars, but well, everyone may not value it only in monetary terms. .