Lionel’s No. 3656 Operating Stock Car

Lionel's operating cattle car no. 3656

I found this manuscript from the late John Grams in our manuscript files. There was no date on the envelope but it’s likely from the early 1990s. The article discusses 12 Lionel products that, while great inventions, were fraught with problems or didn’t work exactly as advertised. He included the following disclaimer: Lionel trains were […]

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Lionel’s prewar No. 703/156 4-4-4 electric locomotives

old catalog page with green model locomotive

I found this manuscript from the late John Grams in our manuscript files. There was no date on the envelope but it’s likely from the early 1990s. The article discusses 12 Lionel products that, while great inventions, were fraught with problems or didn’t work exactly as advertised. He included the following disclaimer: “Lionel trains were […]

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Lionel’s prewar competitors

box and train set

Note: This article originally appeared in the September 2000 issue of Classic Toy Trains. In celebration of Lionel’s 125th anniversary this year, we’re sharing it online.   The Lion has just entered the big-top for his first show. He has plenty of fight, although/ he’s no longer a sleek cub. His tail is a bit […]

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Lionel’s Paper Train

vintage paper of paper

I found this manuscript from the late John Grams in our manuscript files. There was no date on the envelope but it’s likely from the early 1990s. The article discusses 12 Lionel products that, while great inventions, were fraught with problems or didn’t work exactly as advertised. He included the following disclaimer: “Lionel trains were […]

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Lionel’s O-27 locomotives on O gauge switches from 1931-47

Classic Toy Trains magazine logo

I found this manuscript from the late John Grams in our manuscript files. There was no date on the envelope but it’s likely from the early 1990s. The article discusses 12 Lionel products that, while great inventions, were fraught with problems or didn’t work exactly as advertised. He included the following disclaimer: “Lionel trains were […]

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Lionel’s 1945-46 roller pickups

underside of piece of toy train rolling stock

I found this manuscript from the late John Grams in our manuscript files. There was no date on the envelope but it’s likely from the early 1990s. The article discusses 12 Lionel products that, while great inventions, were fraught with problems or didn’t work exactly as advertised. He included the following disclaimer: Lionel trains were […]

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Lionel’s space-related rolling stock and accessories

black flatcar with model gray submarine

The late 1950s and early 60s were a time of the Cold War, Sputnik, and the Mercury and Gemini space programs. Lionel’s entry into space-related toys was a sign of our nation’s early endeavors with space exploration.  One of the first space train accessories appeared on the cover of the 1958 Lionel catalog. Towering over […]

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Lionel’s postwar Girls’ Train set

model train set in pastel colors

I found this manuscript from the late John Grams in our manuscript files. There was no date on the envelope but it’s likely from the early 1990s. The article discusses 12 Lionel products that, while great inventions, were fraught with problems or didn’t work exactly as advertised. He included the following disclaimer: Lionel trains were […]

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Lionel’s postwar No. 97 Coal Elevator

model coal elevator toy

I found this manuscript from the late John Grams in our manuscript files. There was no date on the envelope but it’s likely from the early 1990s. The article discusses 12 Lionel products that, while great inventions, were fraught with problems or didn’t work exactly as advertised. He included the following disclaimer: Lionel trains were […]

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Toy trains in Argentina

model tinplate tender and crane

In the 1920s, as Argentina’s economy boomed and its railway system expanded, toy trains began to capture the imaginations of children and adults.  Because British investors and engineers played a key role in Argentina’s railroad development, it made sense that the first toy trains came from European manufacturers like Hornby. It was a simple matter […]

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A look back: Early MTH product review

screenshot of product review

This week’s “look back” is an early CTT product review from the Fall 1988 issue of the MTH 2-4-2 reproduction Lionel 263E locomotive. Look at that price–seems like a deal these days for a new engine. Dick Christiansen compared the engine to an original one owned by Andy Sperandeo. It’s interesting to note the color […]

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5 tips for starting a toy train collection

Silver and yellow toy boxcar

I began collecting O and 027 gauge trains in middle school. Like many toy train enthusiasts, the trains were eventually packed away for various reasons. Years later, I unpacked my Lionel and Marx collection.  It had been a long time since I had seen these trains. I unpacked mostly postwar and modern 2-4-2 outline steam […]

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