Lionel Tin
Lionel Tin
 |
 6 51012LIONELCHRISTMAS TIN PLATEO GUAGE SETSOLD OUT EVERYWHEREFAC SEALED  US $699.99
|
 6 51014LIONEL 26E RED COMETO GUAGESETCLASSIC TIN PLATE TOY REMAKESEALED US $674.99
|
 6 5101LIONEL 246EO GUAGE PASSENGERSETCLASSIC TIN PLATE TOY REMAKESEALED US $629.99
|
 6 34117LIONELGREEN TIN PLATE 128 TERRACESTANDARD O GUAGEFACTORY SEALED BOX US $599.99
|
 Lionel No 2640 2 Pullman No 2641 Observation set O Gauge Tin Plate w Box US $472.49
|
 Old Prewar Train Lionel American Flyer Electric Train set tin plate 1932 35 US $450.00
|
 MTH REISSUE OF LIONEL 263 GRAY PRE WAR TIN PLATE STEAMER EARLY VERSION EX NICE US $389.95
|
 LIONEL 13800 TIN PLATE CLASSICS 1115 PASSENGER STATION US $333.99
|
 LIONEL POST WAR TRAINS 2814R TIN PLATE REEFER ALL ORIG WHITE LT BLUE ALUM FR US $229.95
|
 LIONEL PRE WAR 191 VILLA TIN PLATE CREAMRED GRAY ALL ORIGINAL VERY NICE US $209.95
|
 LIONEL TRAINS PREWAR TRAIN SET TIN PLATE REDECORATED VERY NICE GREAT RUNNER US $195.00
|
 LIONEL PREWAR O GAUGE 224E GUNMETAL 2689TX TIN TENDER X560 US $159.99
|
 KIBRI WAR train station Marklin Bing Lionel O tin plate replacement product wood US $140.00
|
 LIONEL PREWAR O GAUGE 2225W TIN GUNMETAL WHISTLE TENDER X860 US $129.99
|
 LIONEL PRE WAR 2817 FLAT RED 7 TUSCAN TIN PLATE CABOOSE ORIG A BIT HARD TO FIND US $119.95
|
 LIONEL PRE WAR 127 LIONELTOWN TIN PLATE STATION ALL ORIGINAL VERY NICE US $119.95
|
 LIONEL TRAINS PRE WAR 2814 TIN PLATE BOX CAR BROWN OVER YELLOW VERY SHARP US $114.95
|
 LIONEL POST WAR TRAINS 814R TIN PLATE REEFER ALL ORIGINAL IVORY PEACOCK NICE US $109.95
|
 LIONEL PREWAR O GAUGE 2679 2680 2682 TIN LITHO FREIGHT SET X562 US $99.99
|
 Lionel 1655 2 4 2 Steam Loco 1680 Shell tanker 477618 caboose all r metal tin US $95.00
|
 LIONEL POST WAR TRAINS 3814 TIN PLATE MERCHANDISE CAR ORIGINAL NO CUBES TLC US $89.95
|
 LIONEL POST WAR TRAINS 184 A 1 TIN PLATE BUNGALOW ILLUMI 1 NICE ORIGINAL US $89.95
|
 LIONEL POST WAR TRAINS 184A 1 TIN PLATE BUNGALOW ILLUMI 3 NICE ORIGINAL US $89.95
|
 LIONEL PRE WAR 258 TIN PLATE STEAMER WITH NO TENDER ALL ORIGINAL RUNS GREAT US $75.95
|
 1952 LIONEL TRAINS TIN RAILROAD PIN SET MINT US $74.95
|
 LIONEL WIZARD OF OZ BOXCAR WITH WICKED WITCH LION TIN MAN MIB US $74.95
|
History Of Model Trains - How Model Railroading Got Started And Became Widespread
Modern rail transportation (not including those pulled by horses or oxen) can be traced back to about 1820 when the first steam locomotives appeared in the United Kingdom. These trains were the first practical way to move goods and people across the country quickly and efficiently. They remained so for over a century. So there is no surprise that model trains became popular very early on and remain so today.
Early model trains were often used as promotional or marketing tools to show people who had never had the opportunity to see a train to do so. In the early 1890’s, German toy manufacturer Marklin manufactured clockwork model trains that used wound springs as the locomotion mechanism. These trains were originally sold as expensive toys, but it wasn’t long before someone had the idea to market them to adults and added accessories so that hobbyists could personalize their trains and layouts. These early sets were expensive and beyond the reach of most people.
Many of the early Model Train sets were made in Germany and at the outbreak of World War one, shipments to the US stopped. This provided the opportunity for US companies like Ives and Lionel to be started and make inroads into the market with little competition. These companies also decided to make more inexpensive sets and sell them as toys that many families could afford. During the Victorian period in the 1920’s many models were available in various price ranges from tin and lead “penny toys” up to more expensive fully operable scale models with working steam locomotives. From the original model trains that were operated by winding a spring, just like a watch, trains progressed to electrical operation where the current is supplied through the track. As track layouts got bigger, there was a need to control individual parts of the track and complex wiring patterns became part of the challenge. Today, the track is often controlled digitally through a handheld controller or via computer software.
From the 1930’s through today, various scales sprung up and competing companies around the world started to make their model train sets more detailed and offered more variety in their accessories. As the hobby grew, scale standards were needed so that hobbyists could buy different pieces from different manufacturers and have them all work together. Although the scales are often known under different names in different countries (like H0 which is pronounced “ach zero” in Australia and the UK, but “ach oh” in the US), for the most part, these standards have been accomplished. There are slight differences in these standards which can sometimes make model railroading a challenge, but the N scale or H scale from one manufacturer can usually be made to work with the N scale or H scale from another manufacturer.
This brief space can only start to relate the history of this rewarding hobby. Learning the history of railroading is part of the hobby and will also help make your layouts, locomotives, scenery and rolling stock look more realistic. So keep researching model train information and keep learning!
About the Author
Henry Michael is a model train enthusiast who enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with others to help them get the most out of this exciting hobby. For more model train information, visit my website at http://www.modeltrainenthusiast.com/ and learn how easy it is for you to get involved with model railroading. It will help you to avoid mistakes that most beginners make. If you are more experienced, it will give you a different perspective on things you maybe doing or would like to do.