The Model Trains Guide | atrainsz.com

If Lionel electric trains were part of your childhood experience, you are probably not surprised by the renewed interest in Lionel trains. Even for those who haven't touched a Lionel train in years, just the Lionel name alone evokes fond memories of childhood. Lionel trains are not the only electricity-powered toys marketed to American children and hobbyists, but they arguably are the most popular.

But of all electric train manufacturers, Lionel is by far the most famous, a status it earned for the quality, craftsmanship, and durability of its product. Lionel trains are an American classic that date back to 1901 and remain popular today.

In 1906, Lionel released a three-rail track it called standard-gauge. After World War I, Lionel, along with Flyer and Ives, began to manufacture smaller trains, called O gauge, in addition to their standard-gauge lines. You can recognize pre-war trains by their metallic construction, colorful appearance, and hook couplers. Some collectors take interest in trains from a specific era, others look for collectible Mickey Mouse sets, and still others build collections around trains with certain road names, such as Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, or Great Northern.

Lionel Trains has been a constant presence in the model train business for over a century. Started in 1901, Lionel trains have always been known for innovation, quality and detailed models. Unlike the modern counterparts, many of the Lionel machines puff out real smoke along with the sound of a train whistle. The world of postwar Lionel Trains brought countless innovations to the legendary line that helped define the electric toy train. By the 1930s the O Gauge was the most common toy train in the United States.

So, ready to take the plunge? Or are you a fan that needs some parts for your collection? Find Lionel Trains and components on eBay...my favorite place to browse for that hard-to-find part.