The lionel railroader club digital archive 1976 2006 continues the lionel magazine archive up to the present time. Welcome to our growing lionel reference library and archive. Trains magazine trains news wire, railroad news, railroad. The lionel manufacturing company was started in 1900 by joshua lionel cowen, and he went on to create lionels first model train in 1901, the electric express, which was a batterypowered cheesebox for a department store window display g. The big book of lionel 2nd edition by robert schleicher voyageur press is an excellent and superbly illustrated book helpful to all in the collection and operation of lionel trains. Books about the history of lionel trains from its inception in 1900 to present.
The track was merely two steel strips inserted into slotted ties with a 2 78 inch width between the rails, as were all lionel trains until 1905. An american icon, was recently published by motorbooks my dad got me a big lionel train set when i was about 8. Lionel trains pocket price guide 19012020 is the preferred choice of toy train collectors and operators for accurate pricing information on prewar, postwar, and modern lionel trains. Most illustrated books of collectible toy trains are fairly straightforward, with endless pictures of locomotives and cars viewed sideon to show what they really look like. Robert schleicher talks about lionel model trains, including the history of the company and the various models and designs they produced. The history of lionel model trains barrett sonntag. From the first locomotive built in 1804 to the highspeed bullet train, the big book of trains is the perfect book for kids who love trains. A comprehensive history of locomotive technology from the 1950s to the present day, shown in over 300 photographs. It was founded as an electrical novelties company, lionel specialized in various products throughout its existence. Veteran hobby historian and author robert schleicher conducts us all the way back to joshua lionel cohens 1902 electric cheese boxthe train that started everythingright up to the hightech, meticulously detailed lionels of today. Its roots lie in the 1969 purchase of the lionel product line from the lionel corporation by cereal conglomerate general mills and subsequent purchase in 1986 by businessman richard p. To commemorate the milestone of lionel train companys 100th anniversary comes. Many of lionel s steam locomotives of this period, had a new feature. Lavishly illustrated with modern color photography, vintage advertising, and.
Marklin 55004 gauge i live steam br44 2100 db locomotive and tender. Trains magazine offers railroad news, railroad industry insight, commentary on todays freight railroads, passenger service amtrak, locomotive technology, railroad preservation and history, railfan opportunities tourist railroads, fan trips, and great railroad photography. Bill schmeelk, the lion roars i wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone interested in big business in america or the fun of playing with lionel trains. The lionel trains pictured does give the reader an excellent presentation of. Robert schleicher tracks the history of lionel model trains.
Lionel products are today more technologically advanced than ever, thanks to such innovations as fastrack and the legacy control system. Author and hobby veteran bob schleicher updates his classic onestop, handson treasury of practical advice for lionel enthusiasts to include products such as fastrack and legacy, which were unavailable at the. Jan 01, 2011 lionel products are today more technologically advanced than ever, thanks to such innovations as fastrack and the legacy control system. Lionel resumed producing toy trains in late 1945, replacing their original product line with lesscolourful, but more realistic, trains and concentrating exclusively on ogauge trains. The complete guide to owning and running americas favorite toy. Is the definitive illustrated history of joshua lionel cowen, the company he. In honor of the lionel train companys 100th anniversary comes an updated edition of the illustrated story of joshua lionel cowen and the toy trains he created.
Toy trains and model railroads were its main claim to fame. Veteran hobby historian and author robert schleicher conducts us all the way back to joshua lionel cohens 1902 electric cheese boxthe train that started everythingright up to the hightech. Lionel trainsfor generations of americans, gazing at a spanking new lionel train set as it chugged along loops of tracks laid out beneath a brightly lit christmas tree is an extraspecial childhood memory. See more ideas about railroad history, train and history.
Featured are scores of colorful illustrations from the archives of the lionel catalogs and 32 pages of text featuring a miniscrapbook of stock certificates, patents, and business papers. The father and son railroad of joshua lionel cowen and lawrence cowen ended. Lionel winner toy corporation classic toy trains magazine. To commemorate the special anniversary, lionel produced a special 700 e j1e hudson that included platinum and 24karat gold plating. Pdf complete book of locomotives download full pdf book. The book covers lionels 278 inch, standard, oo, o, and o27 gauge trains listing the most common version of each item, along with some significant variations. To locate an item in the listings, youll need to know the product number or the catalog number sometimes they are not the same. This thoroughly entertaining book features an astonishing variety of lionels the famous and the fascinatingly rare steam and diesel engines, freight and passenger cars, action accessories and cars, track and transformers. An exhilarating, photofilled journey through the history of americas favorite toy trains, the lionel legend whisks readers through more than a century of lionel veteran hobby historian and author robert schleicher conducts us all the way back to joshua lionel cohens 1902 electric cheese boxthe train that started everythingright up to the hightech, meticulously detailed. But of all electric train manufacturers, lionel is by far the most famous. An exhilarating, photofilled journey through the history of americas favorite toy trains, the lionel legendwhisks readers through more than a century of lionel. Instructions for assembling and operating lionel trains 1947 illustrated booklet. Lionel actually had its own television show, but the new medium soon mesmerized america, and interest in toy trains waned. We feature lionel, american flyer, mth, atlas o, williams trains, kline, weaver models, and more.
What a great book, mr hollander tells a great story in plain words about the. Jim bunte, toy collector magazine i could go on and on, but i dont want to take away the thrill youll get while reading this book. Author and hobby veteran bob schleicher updates his classic onestop, handson treasury of practical advice for lionel enthusiasts to include products such as fastrack and legacy, which were unavailable at the time of its original publication in. The official facebook page for lionel llc, makers of lionel and american flyer trains. Sep 03, 2014 a s the son of a railwayman, i grew up entitled to free firstclass rail travel. For toy train enthusiasts, the photos will be the most interesting facet of the book.
My dad got me a big lionel train set when i was about 8. The library now has hundreds of toy train advertisements dating back to the late 19th century. Different types of trains are featured on their own spreads, and each page features multiple images to. The history of a manufacturing icon and the place where childhood dreams were made is for youdelivering a fascinating trip through the rise, fall and rise again of lionel, one of the manufacturing and pop icons in modern american life. Make offer the big book of lionel trains 2004 hardcover.
An exhilarating, photofilled journey through the history of americas favorite toy trains, lionel legacy whisks readers through more than a century of lionel. Illustrated almost entirely by vintage newspaper and book art, this volume has an element of you are there when you read it. Joseph lechner, winter 2005 issue of tcas etrain i havent read a book as interesting and as informative as this one since ron hollanders all aboard. Author and hobby veteran bob schleicher updates his classic onestop, handson treasury of practical advice for lionel enthusiasts to include products such as fastrack and legacy, which were unavailable at the time of its original. Heres what the experts have to say about the authoritative guide to lionels postwar operating cars the most scholarly work i have ever read on the subject of postwar lionel trains. Shipping and handling for each book depends on weight and type of shipment.
Includes a special interview with richard kughn, past. As lionel welcomed the 21st century along with the rest of the world, the model train company celebrated its centennial in a big way a sign of other big things. Packed with amazing facts and photographs of trains around the world, the big book of trains covers the history of trains and train travel. Sep 9, 2019 my husbands childhood train set lionel o 27 train set.
Mar 28, 2011 lionel products are today more technologically advanced than ever, thanks to such innovations as fastrack and the legacy control system. Author and hobby veteran bob schleicher updates his classic onestop, handson treasury of practical advice for lionel enthusiasts to include products such as fastrack and legacy, which were unavailable at the time of its original publication in 2004. Pdf complete book of locomotives download full pdf. Different types of trains are featured on their own spreads, and each page features multiple images to give a closeup view as well as informative text about each train. This book recounts a fourmonth journey by rail through asia. The complete guide to owning and running americas favorite toy trains, second edition by robert due to covid19, orders may be delayed. If you are looking for a book that is full of historical facts then this book isnt for you. This attractive, oversized book blends striking color photos with a history of the production of lionel trains. His mbi titles include the big book of lionel, the lionel fastrack book, and the. In 1950 lionel introduced magnetraction, which helped the locomotives grip the rails more, which enabled trains to go faster without flying off the track. New products for july 2014 classic toy trains magazine. Included are ads by lionel, ives, american flyer as well as lesser known manufacturers such as. Buy cheap model railroading books online model railroading.
This thoroughly entertaining book features an astonishing variety of lionels the famous and the fascinatingly rare steam and diesel engines, freight and passenger cars, action. Book of the garratt locomotives of the world hardcover ebay. Lionel once again used a hybrid berkshire to head up the set, this time replacing the fourwheel rear truck on the engine with a twowheel model, creating the first 282 in lionel history. Lionel history books lionel and american flyer trains. Sep 16, 2019 illustrated almost entirely by vintage newspaper and book art, this volume has an element of you are there when you read it. An american icon, was recently published by motorbooks. The magazines have been meticulously scanned and developed into an easy to use cd. The lionel legend by robert schleicher overdrive rakuten. The book will be especially valuable to novice or beginning model railroaders as it logically and beautifully depicts the generations of lionel trains and. Gohmann and associatesrailmode collectors series rail and. Robert has written multiple books on lionel trains and slot cars. Some of these books are available for a mere few dollars or even less, so you can certainly buy cheap model railroading textbooks when you want to.
The l600 series uses o36 curves all the track from a lionel train set, o31 for the branch lines, and o48 s curves. In june 1902 they decided to add something more interesting to the line with a city hall park trolley and a two foot suspension bridge. It wasnt originally marketed to consumers, but that quickly changed and by 1903, the electric. Lionel trains 6301 performance dr, concord, north carolina 28027 rated 4. They guaranteed boys the excitement, action and high adventure of real railroading and even greater benefits once they had acquired knowledge of electricity, of railroad control, and of transportation that could lead to positions of. A pictorial history of trains and their collectors 3. Lionel trains are not the only electricitypowered toys marketed to american children and hobbyists. Lionel corporation was an american toy manufacturer and holding company of retailers that has been in business for over 120 years. A very special library, it is open to all visitors, and houses a unique collection of information on the history and characteristics of toy trains in the united states and elsewhere. The impeccable research by lionel historian robert j.
These ads appeared in magazines such as youths companion, child life, popular mechanics, ladies home journal and many other magazines and sunday comics. Theroux is also a novelist, so the dialogue between him and the shifting cast of oddballs sitting. Expand your options of fun home activities with the largest online selection at. Greenberg has 27 books on goodreads with 27 ratings. If at all bored as a yearold in york, id take the train to london, sitting in my trainers and jeans alongside. Our books include greenbergs repair and operating manual for lionel trains, 19451969. Here you will find detailed information that we have gathered throughout the years on lionel trains and accessories past and present. As lionel welcomed the 21st century along with the rest of the world, the model train company celebrated its centennial in a big way a sign of other big things to follow during the next 10 years.
The engines catalog number was 8309, but the engine itself was marked 4501, in honor of an actual southern 282 used in excursion service. To understand the value of these indemand collectors items, its important to learn the history and breadth of objects that the german toy manufacturer has developed in over 150 years in. Lionel railroader club digital archive update 2011. Lionel catalogues were brilliantly conceived, richly illustrated, and full of vivid promises. This book is an indispensable illustrated resource for railfans and families on road trips, filled with easytofind information on locomotives and rolling stock. Lionel history books lionel and american flyer trains and. Lionel, llc is an american designer and importer of toy trains and model railroads that is headquartered in concord, north carolina.
Lionel products of this period included a stereo camera, the pastelcolored lady lionel train set, and trains with space age and cold war themes. Lionels famous american railroad series 197985 trainz. Schleichers previous lionel train book was published by lionel in 1986 and has sold an estimated. A pictorial epic of america in the railroad age by lucius beebe and charles clegg 1952, e. Greenbergs most popular book is greenbergs guide to lionel trains, 19011942. As such, we safeguard a cultural and commercial heritage of toy trains, and the industry that produced them. The complete guide to owning and running americas favorite toy trains as want to read. The father and son railroad of joshua lionel cowen and lawrence cowen ended in 1959, when they sold their interest in lionel to distant relative roy cohn. Postwar lionel trains reference library train station. Lionel did something interesting and yet odd for its next o gauge set.
An exhilarating, photofilled journey through the history of americas favorite toy trains, the lionel legend whisks readers through more than a century of lionel. Like the lionel consumer catalog digital archive, this lionel magazine digital archive is an authorized project using lionel published material. Veteran hobby historian and author robert schleicher conducts us all the way back to joshua lionel cohens 1902 electric cheese boxthe train that started everythingright up to the hightech, meticulously detailed lionels. The complete guide to owning and running americas favorite toy trains, second. The patterns come with a 60minute dvd and 72page illustrated handbook that has eight track plans and some creative scenic techniques.