Once Cowen invented the Electric Express, it and the next train he invented after it became his main passion for the remainder of his lifetime. Cowen told people boys who had a Lionel Model Train would be better prepared for adulthood. Word of this led fathers to join their sons in becoming model train enthusiast. Soon after Lionel train layouts were in several American homes. This was especially true during the Christmas season when it became a tradition to put a Lionel train layout around the Christmas tree.

Later in the century when American’s began their love affair with automobiles and cross-country flying became the norm, people quit buying the Lionel Model Train. This is because when Lionel trains first hit the market; trains had become a symbol of American technology and travelling in sophistication. Later in the 1960’s the freight lines were starting to be shut down, as were some of major train stations. Around this time Joshua Lionel Cowen passed away.

Slowly Lionel trains were rediscovered by those who were looking for a piece of American nostalgia. Others had their imaginations captured by the possibilities of being a model train collector. Recently, America has begun renewing its own relationship with trains as a viable form of transportation. As more high-speed passenger lines are being created and historical landmarks such as Penn Station are being restored, American’s are rediscovering their passion for model trains such as the Lionel Model Train.

Evidence of the renewed relationship American’s have with the Lionel Model Train can be seen in the Lionel Store located in New York at the famous 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Rockefeller Center. Every day, the store is filled with tourists from around the world trying to get a piece of this bit of true Americana. The store’s offering of Lionel Model Trains is just as symbolic of Christmas in America as the ice rink located outside the store in Rockefeller Center at Christmas time.

Another chapter of Lionel Model Train history is being written as the company has increased its online efforts to serve the model train community. Now people looking for sound advice when starting to collect model trains can go on line to the Lionel website. Model train enthusiasts can also find the information they are looking for. They can find everything from different models for purchase, answers to questions, and current model train news. There is even an online club offered on the website called the Lionel Railroader Club. Here train enthusiasts can get subscriptions to “Inside Track” the official Lionel Train news magazine and get special offers on Lionel trains and accessories.

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• 52 inch circle of track, 4 sections of straight track (enough to expand the circle to a 52 inch by 6
• locomotive and tender
• a musical pipe organ car
• Christmas caboose
• feature illuminated garland

Product Description
Ships in 2-3 Weeks. Not available for expedited shipping.

This is a Lionel 11102 G Gauge Holiday Set. The Lionel Holiday Tradition Express includes a 52 inch circle of track, 4 sections of straight track (enough to expand the circle to a 52 inch by 69 inch oval) a multifunction remote control, a brightly colored and festively decorated locomotive and tender, a musical pipe organ car, and a Christmas caboose. All cars are constructed of durable plastic… More >>

Lionel 11102 G Gauge Holiday Set

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Lionel locomotives are designed in such a way that checks can be done by removing the cover. Remove the screw that is located under the smoke stack in order to remove the cover. Spread the diesel engine’s body at the sides until the pins release and pull upward gently. Then turn the engine upside down to access the wheels. Pare off any layers of dirt and grime with an X-acto knife. Finish by applying an eraser to the model’s wheels which will remove the rest of the debris.

Locomotives also require regular oiling of the moving parts to keep them working smoothly. Your owner’s manual will have instructions for applying the oil as well as the best oil to use. Take care that the oil does not drip onto the rails because oil can interfere with the electrical conductivity of the set and keep your train from functioning properly. A thin oil, such as a 3-in-1, is recommended.

Cleaning and maintenance should also be done on the commutator ad the brushes. Dirt can build up on these parts which will prevent the motor from getting electrical power. If left unattended, the locomotive will fail to work. Cleaning need be performed only about once a year, however. One technique for keeping the commutators clean is to run the locomotive slowly without the body. Apply Rail-Zip cleaner to a clean rag and apply the rag to the commutator while it spins. You will also need to clean the brushes. You can purchase television tuner cleaner from most electronics stores and use it to spray the brushes. Let the cleaning solution drip off and then dry the area by wiping with a clean rag. Put the body back on after you have cleaned it.

You should also perform maintenance on the wheels of the freight cars. Clean wheels are necessary for any Lionel model train set to run smoothly. One way to clean the wheels is to mount a straight section of track on an 18-inch 2×4 board. Then, cover the heads of the rails with a rag or paper towel and slowly drip rubbing alcohol onto it. Place a few small drops of Goo-Gone on the rails prior to running the cars. Run the locomotive over the rails, back and forth until the wheels appear clean and glossy.

It is said that Lionel trains are built to last. Customers report some of the highest satisfaction ratings in the industry. However, regular maintenance is important for any set to keep it functioning smoothly. Some regular maintenance can keep your train set running properly for years!

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Lionel Trains are built in O gauge:  It’s ironic, but O scale is Lionel’s best quality and its mortal weak point. 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.  O gauge trains are one 48^th the size of real world trains and require an 8’ x 16’ space as a minimum.  This was simply too much of a space requirement, so fans turned to HO scale which only required a 4’ x 8’ space.  Lionel’s failure to adapt is what cost it and what makes its odd scale a real draw for enthusiasts these days.

Lionel’s long history makes it a hobbyist’s favorite:  Because Lionel has survived for so long and was so popular in yesteryear it is one of the favorites of collectors. We cannot under estimate 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 directed specifically to Lionel. Lionel books come in two varieties.  First, there are books that are specifically devoted to getting you going with model training using Lionel O gauge trains. Second, a ton of books trace Lionel’s exemplary history.

Finally, Lionel is popular because they just made good trains:  The value of these trains can simply not be understated!  Larger than most other trains, they are perfect for detailing and decaling and weathering.  People who love the arts and crafts aspect of model training love how easy it is to work with Lionel large trains. They also love that the trains are so huge and so eye catching.  You simply can’t ignore a Lionel train.

Regardless of the company’s finances, Lionel O gauge should be a mainstay for the foreseeable future.  Even if Lionel declares itself bankrupt, hobbyists will continue to collect its long history of trains. Lionel never disappoints.

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

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Lionel Trains:  

Until the fifties Lionel was the front runner in the model training world.  Thanks to perfect marketing Lionel outwitted its competitors.  One tactic it used was to connect model trains to Christmas traditions, making the circular train tracks around the Christmas tree a mainstay of the Christmas experience.  Their O gauge trains which were one 48^th the size of regular locomotives 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. Lionel O gauge is back and as hot as ever.  We are happy to have them and their big glorious trains.

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. Lionel kept and maintained American Flyer’s model manufacturing equipment when they took them over in 1966.  In the last ten years Lionel has started remarketing 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:  

This is actually the oldest of the three companies, started way back in the 1830s but was the the latest of the three to get into the toy train business. 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 broader audience than the Lionel and American Flyer brands. To this day Bachmann remains the leader in HO scale.

We have never had more alternatives in model training.  The web has really transformed the model training world into a buyer’s market.  You can choose from almost any gauge and from any period 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.

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Technorati Tags: 2009, around, CHRISTMAS, electric, Heritage, lionel, Pacific, sd70ace's, trains, Tree, Union

What are the cool collectible locomotives these days?  Here’ the large three:

Lionel trains:  

To start there are Lionel locomotives.  If you collected one of these historic model locomotives from every period in the last century you could arrange a pretty good record of toy training.  When you collect a Lionel train you are collecting toy locomotive royalty.  Baby boomers will remember the Lionel Holiday displays they saw as children.  Lionel’s classic toy trains are some of the best received and widely available trains around.  Famous folks like the rocker Neil Young and the actor Tom Hanks have been life long Lionel admirers.  Lionel has a well regarded literature that helps support it.  Because Lionel was dominated in the 1950s and because the post War period was the high point of model hobbying, it is no wonder that Lionel should be as prestigious as it is..  The fact is that Lionel was in the process of being overtaken by other train makers during that time and that most of us, like Neil Young, didn’t actually get Lionel trains as Christmas gifts only makes Lionel more popular now as a collector’s item.

American Flyers:  

Among hardcore collectors and toy locomotive enthusiasts no type of toy train has more cachet than the American Flyer S gauge toys that came out just after World War II.  A. C. Gilbert’s attempt to take the Midwest company and make it a competitor of the juggernaut Lionel ultimately failed. Many collectors will absolutely swear by the quality of these locomotives. The uniqueness of s gauge adds to the mystique of the American Flyer brand.  They are so popular among collectors and enthusiasts that Lionel LLC, the current holder of the American Flyer patent, plans on releasing many of the most popular trains from this period.  Watch out for them.

Ives:  

If you actually want to get a locomotive that no one has try finding an old Ives locomotive.  Ives was the third competitor in the Lionel versus American Flyer three way.  An old Ives toy train is a real find.  Like Lionel, Ives operates on O gauge. 

Clock operated locomotives of the Victorian era:  

These toy locomotives from the very early period of model training are really a discovery.  These are mostly shown at museums these days but if you can actually find one, you’ll have a train that is really a part of the genesis of model locomotives.   These clock operated locomotives, however, really give you a sense of how such toys were viewed before model training became so popular.   These vintage toy trains were clearly geared towards young people. No plugs, no batteries, no electricity—these are wind-up trains in the truest sense.  They were largely purchased by the rich back in the day and that’s who can afford to collect them now.  You can see how the plain style really could have appealed to small children.  These locomotives can really capture the imagination of another age.  In fact, you might say that model training came to us just like kindergarten.  Both were part of Germany’s obsessions with childrearing in the early 20^th century.

There is great enjoyment in restoring one of these old model trains.  You could choose a far worse hobby.

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

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