Lionel Model Trains
If you are a vintage collector, your collection will not be complete without a Lionel model train. It is one of the most popular classic trains to grace the model train history. It has timeless appeal and each model seem to have a story of its own to tell. To own one is to have a certain piece of history in your collection.
The maker of these trains was Joshua Lionel Cowen. His first trains were powered by wet cell batteries and then later on was replaced by electricity. His designs were categorized into pre-war, post-war and modern trains. It hardly made a difference since each train is handcrafted and specially made to last and delight future generations. The vision for each train was to bring the world of toy trains to every child. On 1984, the company came out with a revival of its greatest steam locomotive, the No. 773 Hudson, as the No. 783. It shows proof that the Lionel model trains are a rare treasure in electric and steam trains.
The recent years marked a lot of innovation in Lionel trains. Motorized pantographs can now be found in the 2004 GG1 series that includes an Odyssey System hidden under a removable roof panel. Sound features are now usually included and the Lionel trains are no exemption. Built in DCC decoder with dual speaker system that produces authentic turbine sounds, squealing brakes and a lot more makes every train a gem to play with. All trains that bear the Lionel mark are products of high quality manufacturing and ingenuity. No detail is spared in duplicating favored trains of the past. From sliding cab windows with window glass, traction tires, opening roof hatches, painted interior and exterior valves to separately applied metal details.
In line with the ecological awareness that is highly placed nowadays, Lionel model trains came up with a limited edition of a “green train”. The latest series is called GE’s Evolution Hybrid that runs on revolutionary diesel fuels to be more environmental friendly. Aside from being fuel-efficient, it is also enticingly cool to the eye with its light green finish and prototypical battery that gives off flashing lights as it runs.
For a model train, its appeal did not end for only serious hobbyists or enthusiasts. It even extended to Hollywood. Lionel model trains can be seen in movies for as early as the 1930s. Feature films like The Godfather (1972), Arthur (1981) and Risky Business (1983) showed how Lionel trains graced the silverscreen and cemented the love for model trains.On the movie, The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) showed the young boy Bobby playing with his Lionel 0-27 set on a 256 Station, with an 1121 switch and a small steamer freight car. Upon seeing them, Klaatu ironically remarked, “remind me to tell you about another kind of train, the kind that doesn’t use tracks.”
With a name in quality, eco-friendly and mass media popularity, Lionel model trains set the standard high across all model train brands. Collectors of these items are truly blessed and proud to have a rarity of such caliber in their model train sets.
