Old Lionel Model Trains: Go For Tradition And Quality

July 9, 2007

Here is a short article about the history of Lionel Trains written by David Faulkner.

In post-Civil War America, trains were the only way to travel. The only other method commonly available was a horse and trap and that was most definitely not the way to travel in comfort. Joshua Lionel Cowen was amazed by the trains and their ability to transport people around the United States. He was fascinated by the technology and mechanisms associated with the locomotive and could not wait to pass his knowledge onto his children and other children at the same time. Old Lionel model trains were born as a result.

It has been over a hundred years since Cowen unveiled his vision and began producing toy trains and model railroad paraphernalia for people to buy. He meant them as educational tools as well as a forum for fathers to bond with their sons. He was based in NewYork at the time and managed to hire a few gifted craftsmen to help to create replicas of the locomotives that wound their way all over the United States. They believed that they were all investing in a limited business that would remain within the city. They never dreamed that the company’s popularity would span as far as it has, let alone the fact that children and adults alike would be clamouring to buy Old Lionel model trains now!

Every child from the turn of last century had a train. It was a standard to own one in the early 1900s because children actually had very few toys. Those they did have were precious. As a result, old Lionel model trains are now widely available in antique stores and old children’s toys stores all over the country, but they are also very valuable and you can end up spending over the odds for them. The reason that they are so popular is because they were highly detailed and proved to be of high quality over the years. Not only did old Lionel model trains stand the test of time, but also they can actually tell us a lot about the trains and the toys of the era.

Most train collectors, including those that have model railroads today will be happy to tell you the value of an old Lionel model train because they are usually very knowledgeable about them. They are actually pretty similar to gold dust where they are concerned. You can find old Lionel model trains on the Internet for extortionate prices these days but, not surprisingly, collectors are willing to pay well over the odds for them. You could also trawl around garage sales because there are usually one or two there, sold by people who have no idea of their value. That is the best way to pick up old Lionel model trains bargains!

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