Lionel Electric Train
The History Of Toy Model Trains
A majority of people tend to collect the toy model trains for a number of reasons. Some people enjoy building the trains while others love how the toy trains look and like the feeling that comes along with having the perfect train set. Despite the various reasons, one thing that is similar is that there is a higher demand for the toy model trains. The popularity of this hobby is not about to change anytime soon either.
Toy trains have been in existence ever since the very first train was set on the tracks. It however took years for the trains to be perceived as a collectible or hobby. Modern toy trains are a glimpse into American history since a majority of these trains depict the real life versions from their respective era. The first toy trains were spring loaded, push powered or were powered by steam which appeared in the store windows during the late 1800s of the Victorian period.
During this time, there were certain toys which came with track layouts while others sped across any surface. In fact, the very first toy trains were run using steam in the 1840s. This was done by ensuring that the metallic model was filled with water and then placing it on a heated surface. Although these trains did not use a railway track, they definitely left a whole water trail behind them.
In 1891, the German Model Train company, Marklin, introduced the very first train set. This model set featured the track layouts and wind up engines which could be expanded when extra tracks were purchased. Marklin also established a majority of the standard model train set gauges such as the Z scale, the HO scale and the O scale. Thereafter, other German toy manufacturers followed the success of Marklin and, in no time, the model train set gained further popularity spreading to many different countries. The initial train sets were made mostly out of tin and were powered in many cases by steam, clock work or springs.
The electrical train sets came into existence during the turn of the century and were introduced by the American toy makers who were seeking to compete with their German counterparts. Unfortunately, the popularity of these trains was hindered primarily by the fact that electricity was not available in certain areas. As a result, the German toy trains were able to gain more popularity in the market at the start of the World War I. From the period leading up to World War I and through World War II, the German train sets were overtaken by the European and the American manufacturers such as JEP, Hornby, and Lionel. In the past fifty years, model trains have decreased in popularity as a toy for the children. Instead, it has now become a booming hobby worldwide.
About the Author
Gabriel O. Delaney is a model train enthusiast. For more great information on toy model trains, visit http://www.ultimatemodeltraintips.com.
Lionel Electric Train
 |
 MTH Electric Trains O Hiawatha Passenger Set Trad Lionel Lines  US $809.95
|
 VINTAGE 1920s LIONEL ELECTRIC O GUAGE TRAIN SET US $795.00
|
 LIONEL TRAIN POSTWAR 2340 PENNSY GG 1 ELECTRIC US $669.95
|
 2004 Lionel Elvis Presley HE DARED TO ROCK Electric Train Set 6 31728 Sealed Box US $645.00
|
 Lionel Electric Trains 8606 Boston and Albany Hudson 784 Locomotive NEW IN BOX US $500.00
|
 LIONEL ELECTRIC SANTA FE LOCOMOTIVE COLLECTORS TRAIN SET 6 18635 W TRACKS MODEL US $499.99
|
 Old Prewar Train Lionel American Flyer Electric Train set tin plate 1932 35 US $450.00
|
 LIONEL ELECTRIC TRAIN SET 027 GAUGE TRACKS BOX CARS GREAT CHRISTMAS SET US $425.00
|
 LIONEL TRAINS PRE WAR NO 132 ELECTRIC TRAIN SET VERY NICE US $399.95
|
 MTH Premier Scale Septa 4 Car Amfleet Passenger Car Set 20 65139 Lionel Type US $349.99
|
 MTH Premier Scale Marc 4 Car Amfleet Passenger Car Set 20 65141 Lionel Type US $349.99
|
 Lionel Electric Trains 6 Pieces from 1959 1962 US $339.95
|
 Lionel Harry Potter Hogwarts Express Electric Train Set US $334.39
|
 LIONEL NASCAR READY TO RUN ELECTRIC TRAIN SET US $325.50
|
 Lionel Super Set Steam O Gauge Electric Train Set NEW US $305.00
|
 EARNHARDT JR LIONEL READY TO RUN ELECTRIC TRAIN SET BRAND NEW IN ORIGINAL BOX US $299.99
|
 LIONEL PENNSYLVANIA PRR ELECTRIC GG 1 LOCOMOTIVE 6 30171 train engine 6 38520 US $288.84
|
 LIONEL VIRGINIAN ELECTRIC RECTIFIER locomotive engine train 6 38339 2329 US $288.84
|
 Vintage Lionel Electric Model Train Set US $259.99
|
 LIONEL O SCALE MSTL SUPER FREIGHT ELECTRIC TRAIN US $254.99
|
 Snap On Tools 80th Anniversary Lionel ELECTRIC train set New In Box US $250.00
|
 1970s RARE LIONEL ELECTRIC TRAIN WABASH CANNONBALL IN ITS A ORIGINAL BOX US $249.99
|
 NEW 2006 Lionel Lines Electric Train Set O Gauge 50 Pieces Fast Ship US $249.94
|
 MTH 11 90006 Lionel Electric Trains No437 Switch Tower NIB US $249.00
|
 LIONEL NASCAR READY TO RUN ELECTRIC TRAIN SET US $235.00
|
 Lionel Prewar O O27 Gauge Electric Train Set 253 607 608 Metal Tinplate US $229.99
|
Question about model train scenery?
My husband and I have a Lionel electric train going around my son's bedroom. We've been putting some scenery up around it, but there's a very small space between the track and the wall, so we're looking for building facades that can fit in a space no more than an inch or two deep. I can't seem to find just the fronts, or something small enough to fit in that space. (I've only been able to find the full buildings.) Does anyone know where I could find something like that?
(I'm looking for O gage size, or close enough to work with O gage accessories.)
My wife uses an O gauge Lionel Train as part of her seasonal "Christmas" village display of miniature Victorian houses, etc., that we put up in late November each year. I have built oblong box platforms for her out of MDO (medium density overlay) or dimensional lumber, and she has hot-glued polished stones to the front vertical faces of these platforms to make them look like stone walls. We use these platforms so that we can place houses on multiple levels in the display.
For your specific need (only 1 inch deep), I recommend getting a piece of wood that's maybe 1 x 1 inch in cross section and using a table saw or circular saw to cut a kerf (slot) between 1/8 and 1/4 inch along the entire length of the wood. You can put foam core board of any height into that kerf, so that the foam core board stands upright. the higher the foam core board, the heavier or more substantial the slotted wood needs to be in order to serve as a stable base (unless you can clamp the wood to something). You can then print large-size digital images of anything (building fronts, natural terrain scenery, skies with clouds onto cheap or good digital photo paper and mount the pictures on the foam core board with spray adhesive. We have used this technique in our smaller displays of Halloween or Christmas houses.