Lionel trains were manufactured between 1898 and 1968, but the earliest models were made by the company’s parent company, Model Products Corporation (MPC). This era was characterized by plastic and the highest quality materials. The trains were based on vintage trains and had parts from the 1940s and 1950s. The MPC period also marked the introduction of many new features, such as RailSounds II.
The Brute
Originally, the Brute was designed to run on a special track, but this proved impractical. It was then sold to renowned train collector Bill Vagell, who plate-plated it in order to preserve it. This model was later placed in other train collections, but today it is a highly collectible toy. In 2009, M.T.H. introduced a replica Brute. This model features a green livery with two motors and is plated as it exists today.
The first Lionel trains were operated by a wet cell battery, but after WWII they became safer with an 110 V transformer. The trains were later renamed Lionel Trains Inc., and the company’s quality declined slightly. In the early 1990s, Lionel changed hands again and became RailSounds. Several Lionel models still exist today, but some are highly collectible.
Today, collectors can get as much as $1,050 for a pre-war standard gauge version. Other Lionel train models are more expensive. A 1931 gray 400E steam locomotive sold for $250,000 at an auction in April 2016. A Lionel set from the 1930s is worth around $300-600. It is also worth considering that the Brute is one of the most valuable Lionel trains today.
In 1969, Lionel filed for bankruptcy and was acquired by General Mills. This acquisition helped Lionel restructure their business. General Mills, which made pasta, bread, and cereal, bought the company and the rights to Lionel train sets. The Lionel company’s trademarks were sold to Lionel Trains, Inc., in 1969. The company went out of business the following year.
The Lionel Girls
When it comes to train sets, the Lionel Girls are among the most valuable. Originally designed to appeal to young girls, they were among the first train sets designed for children of both sexes. Until then, toys did not cross gender lines. Boys had trains and Barbie dolls. But when a girl decided to play with trains, she wanted a train set that looked as real as those her brothers had. Luckily, Lionel’s first pink train set was a success and a collectible item today.
As television became more common, Lionel’s business declined. In 1959, Joshua Lionel Cowen sold his company to his relative Roy Cohen. After WWII, the company suffered a series of set recalls and eventually filed for bankruptcy. In 1969, General Mills purchased the Lionel train rights and renamed it Fundimensions. In the late 1980s, Lionel changed its name to RailSounds.
As far as trains go, the Lionel Girls train set is worth anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000. The original set was sold for just $2,990. Because it runs on a three-and-a-half inch gauge track, it is heavier than most other train sets. The train set also became a collectible item after its release, as it was primarily used for display. The set also featured pastel colors instead of the more masculine blue and red colors of the earlier models. Though they were made only for girls, they have now reached an even higher value.
The Lionel Girls Train Set was created in soft pastel colors, but sales did not improve. The product was discontinued after a short time. Another extremely rare model is the black Lionel 2360 Vagell GG1. It was created by Bill Vagell after he requested that he have true black Lionel trains. He handpainted eight models and also had Lionel create two gold and copper designs.
The Lionel Boys
There are a variety of reasons why Lionel trains are so valuable. The earliest trains were built in the United States. They were very popular with children and adults alike. They can be expensive, but most people buy them just for the fun of having a train set. Other factors may also make them valuable, such as the rarity of them. Many collectors value them highly, making them among the most sought-after items in their collections.
Some collectors collect the rarest Lionel trains. For example, the legendary Buddy L locomotive is incredibly rare. It is designed to run on three-and-a-half inch gauge two-rail track. It is extremely heavy, and only about 5,000 of these trains were produced. The value of these train sets varies widely. Some are worth thousands of dollars, while others are worth hundreds of dollars.
In fact, many collectors also collect the most common pieces. While this may seem odd, it’s true. Lionel made many items that became wildly popular and collectible. This is why some pieces of a set can be worth thousands of dollars. Many collectors look for them in the hope that they will become valuable one day. There are numerous sets of Lionel trains that can be worth several thousand dollars. A complete set in like-new condition can command a price of $1,000 or more.
The post-war era still has a lot of collector value. Since most of them were bought by a Baby Boomer, most of these Lionel trains are being passed down through generations. With more Baby Boomers becoming aware of television and other sources of entertainment, they have more desire to collect Lionel trains. The market for 1950s trains is already over-crowded. Whether or not the trains are valuable is a different matter.
The Lionel Star
If you’re looking for a train that is more than just a model, the Lionel Star might be worth considering. The Star is a rare and valuable piece of Lionel history, and one of the company’s most expensive items. It is a locomotive from the 1940s and one of the most valuable models in the Lionel line. It features many features of real locomotives, including authentic steam and diesel engines. Its name is the “Star” because it was first released in 1959, just a year before the era of diesel locomotives was ushered in.
The train was originally an O gauge and operated on a wet cell battery. Later, they were made with a 110 V transformer to make them safer. After WWII, Lionel made more realistic trains that were more realistic. When the company switched to a different brand name, Fundimensions, the quality of its products suffered. The company changed hands several times over the years, and eventually rebranded as RailSounds.
The history of the company goes back to the early 1930s. While the company had a tough time adjusting to a different style of train, it never stopped making trains and remained the leader for over 100 years. Now, it’s the oldest and most popular train line, and the heritage of Lionel trains continues to grow. In addition to the Star, the company also makes the Lionel Trains.
Besides the Star, the company also produces a limited edition line called the Polar Express. Lionel also has a Service Station in China and Korea. These locations are designed to repair Lionel trains, and they are available to you if you need them. If you’re looking for a train that is worth its weight in gold, you should consider purchasing a Lionel train.
The Lionel Star II
The original Lionel train was powered by a wet cell battery. Its successor, the 110 V transformer, made it more reliable and safer. After WWII, Lionel made trains that looked more like real life. The first train to come with the Lionel name was Fundimensions. However, this brand quickly went downhill in terms of quality. In the late 1980s, Lionel changed hands and became RailSounds, an entity that continues to produce trains today.
Lionel trains come in several styles and ages, but the Star II is one of the most valuable and collectible of all. It is made of brass, so it has the appearance of a real locomotive. However, the train is far from perfect, with some models being much shorter, narrower, or lower than real locomotives. The cars also lack smooth curves and other details of the real thing.
Its rarity makes it highly desirable. Its price range runs from less than a hundred dollars to a thousand dollars. More valuable models are more expensive. A rare model of this train can fetch up to $13,000 at auction. Similarly, a less expensive Lionel train can fetch as much as $300. In September 2015, a Lionel Standard Gauge Pre-War No. 378W train set sold for $12,812!
Collectors of this train typically have a lot of passion for the brand. They are not only interested in the model train itself, but also in its condition. They want it to look as if it were newly made. Since Lionel trains were produced at different stages of the Lionel Corporation, their quality reflects different business conditions and phases. Therefore, paying attention to the date of manufacture is crucial in determining its value.
