When it comes to collecting Lionel trains, there are several types that are worth considering. Among them are HO scale, Postwar, Uncataloged, and Promotional trains. In this article, you will learn about these types and their various characteristics. Hopefully, these tips will help you to find a train that meets your needs! Listed below are the most important tips:
HO scale lionel trains
If you are looking to add to your collection of model trains, you might consider finding one of the rare HO scale Lionel trains. They are rare because they are no longer manufactured in the United States. However, there are several sites on the Internet where you can find the rare trains. You can simply click on one of those links and be directed to the merchant’s website. On the merchant’s website, you’ll find product details, terms and conditions, and contact information.
Historically, collectors of Lionel trains will point to the post-War era as the golden age of the company. The company’s popularity soared during the 1950s, but as television became more prevalent, its sales declined. In 1961, the founders sold the company to a cousin named Roy Cohen. The company began to fall on hard times and declared bankruptcy in 1967. In 1969, the rights to the Lionel electric trains were bought by General Mills, a leading American manufacturer of consumer goods. In the 1970s, Fundimensions expanded Lionel’s product line by using cheap manufacturing techniques, such as plastic trucks and couplers. Among the most popular pieces from the MPC era are the Mickey Mouse Express 15-piece model railroad set.
One such store offers a wide selection of HO trains. Ghost Yard offers an ever-growing inventory of rare HO train cars. These trains are available as-is and may be in good or excellent condition. In Mountain Home, UT, you can find these train cars for as little as $5.00. Alternatively, you can check out the HO-Scale Trains Resource. Once you’ve found a rare HO train, you can buy it from an online store that specializes in 1/87th scale models.
The era in which the trains were made can also play a role in their value. Some MPC Lionels are made in the 1940s and 1950s, while others were designed with a more modern aesthetic. While there’s no universally recognized definition of ‘rare’, some models can fetch high prices at auction. You can also find a rare HO scale Lionel train in a private collection, or trade for it through open internet sites such as Etsy, Invaluable, and Ruby Lane.
Postwar lionel trains
The Authoritative Guide to Lionel’s Postwar Operating Cars is a comprehensive book that describes more than a thousand of the company’s rare postwar locomotives. Detailed descriptions and pictures accompany up-to-date values. The book’s 1,450 color photographs provide a wealth of information. In addition to historical data, the book contains an extensive list of the rarest postwar Lionel trains and their owners.
Early postwar Lionel trains featured gondola cars that did not have a metal undercarriage. These trains were sometimes equipped with scout trucks but were replaced by regular trucks by the mid-1950s. The first issue of these cars had staple-end trucks but later changed to bar-end trucks. These cars are among the most difficult to find today. The Numerical Index also provides information about individual cars.
The “Post-War Era” era covers the years 1945 to 1969. Although these models were made of plastic, the company knew how much these earlier models had meant to the world. Still, it was their post-war cars that were the most popular. Though they were made of plastic, they carried on the tradition of hauling different types of freight. However, the only exception is if the post-war set was one without a car.
Although the condition of the rarest postwar Lionel trains varies, these pieces are still worth pursuing. One such rare postwar Lionel set is the no. 11942-500 set. It has the distinctive markings of a postwar model, including the “Second World War” unit. This train is a rare example, but is quite rare, even by Lionel standards.
Uncataloged lionel trains
The “Uncataloged” label is an odd one for Lionel trains. It is thought that they contain lower-end rolling stock, but in fact, Schmid’s study documents some of the most desirable postwar engines in uncataloged sets. However, the term “uncataloged” is collector-speak. The Lionel Corporation referred to this package of locomotive and cars as an “outfit” or “transformer.”
A paperback book called The Authoritative Guide to Lionel’s Promotional Outfits shows off over 700 rare, uncataloged electric train outfits. These sets were created exclusively for promotional firms and retailers, and were produced in limited numbers. Today, they are some of the most valuable and rarest products ever made. In fact, only a few Lionel catalogs have been published.
The Chesapeake & Ohio GP9 diesel is another model that can be uncataloged. These trains were available at Sears, Roebuck & Co. in the toy department. They included enough track and a trestle set to run loops. Lionel executives were so confident in the product’s sales potential that they advertised it for $150 on the cover of their consumer catalog.
The uncataloged Canadian Pacific train set was an expensive purchase, but George was motivated by it by the opportunity to show it off. In fact, George’s first significant paycheck was spent on buying the set’s components. He then bought the requisite Vista-Dome cars. George’s new train set is worth the price, as it still stands today. But even after all these years, his passion for postwar Lionel trains has only grown.
Promotional lionel trains
If you’re looking for a rare and interesting train set, look no further than the collection of promotional and rare Lionel trains. Many of these sets have been kept secret for decades, and you can even find a rare locomotive and boxcar from the 1950s. The first promotional set to come to light was the Switching Tracks Traveling Boxcar, which was used to promote a new line.
The Authoritative Guide to the Promotional Outfits by the Lionel Company showcases more than 700 Lionel trains that have never been released in the general public. These sets were designed to promote brands and retail outlets. Whether you have a train set from the 1960s or a promotional set from the 1980s, you can be sure that this catalog will be the only guide you need. Despite the fact that these sets were rarely released to the general public, they are gold nuggets of toy train history. Some of them never even made it into the Lionel consumer catalog!
As the Post-War era has ended, the production of the original Lionel trains has returned to the United States. The company, now owned by the Warner Bros. studios, is a subsidiary of General Mills, and began reinstating high-quality production. Rare and high-grade items have become more valuable than ever. The company’s latest model train line is the Polar Express, which is based on the popular Disney film.
The author of Rare and Promotional Lionel Trains has compiled the first official reference book on these models. The book includes numerous illustrations, a detailed price chart, and an extensive index. Rare Lionel trains are available on eBay, where a wide variety of items are sold. In addition to rare and promotional trains, this book includes a comprehensive guide to Lionel’s promotional outfits from the 1960s to the 1970s.
Although the number of Lionel locomotives and promotional outfits far exceeds those sold in the catalog, most collectors believe these train sets are low-quality, but Schmid documents some of the most expensive post-war engines and cars. The term “uncataloged” comes from the collectors’ terminology. Moreover, Lionel used to refer to the package consisting of a locomotive, cars, and track as an “outfit” or a “transformer.”
