Lionel Trains Plus

The founder of Lionel, Joshua Lionel Cowen was born in the United Statesbut his family was an immigrant one to NYC, arriving just after the Civil War. The railroads were springing up all over the country, with the golden spike unifying Americaand allowing the meeting of East and West. Cowen had grown up with trains all around him and they fascinated him like no other part of the world.

Passenger trains, freight trains and the big steam engines were around well prior to the electric light. Cowen saw, during his lifetime, changes that would boggle the mind. Cowen was an inventor, and a successful one by all reports, when he determined that young boys like he once was needed something to pique their own imagination and to motivate them too.

He created his toy trains, not as entertainment, but instead, according to reports, as a mission. He wanted to provide all of the romance of the railroad to a future generation. He told young men and small boys that the toy train would help to power their own imagination for progress and would help them to get ready to be men. Dads were encouraged to help their young boys with their train sets and before long, even households which could not readily afford them were featuring toy trains from Cowen’s company in their living rooms.

Sadly, once flight took hold, train travel and toy trains became less popular and far less of a market. In the mid sixties the freight trains were no longer being used and boys and their fathers saw a generation gap like never before. Pennsylvania Station was gone and the Twentieth Century limited no longer ran. During that same time span, Joshua Lionel Cowen also passed away.

Lionel Trains lived on, and with it, the dream of Joshua Lionel that every young man in the world would know the romance of the rails. Today Lionel trains is working on ensuring that young men everywhere and even young ladies can enjoy trains and miniatures in their home and Lionel Trains has begun to enjoy the popularity that it once did.

The founder of Lionel, Joshua Lionel Cowen was born in the United Statesbut his family was an immigrant one to NYC, arriving just after the Civil War. The railroads were springing up all over the country, with the golden spike unifying Americaand allowing the meeting of East and West. Cowen had grown up with trains all around him and they fascinated him like no other part of the world.

Passenger trains, freight trains and the big steam engines were around well prior to the electric light. Cowen saw, during his lifetime, changes that would boggle the mind. Cowen was an inventor, and a successful one by all reports, when he determined that young boys like he once was needed something to pique their own imagination and to motivate them too.

He created his toy trains, not as entertainment, but instead, according to reports, as a mission. He wanted to provide all of the romance of the railroad to a future generation. He told young men and small boys that the toy train would help to power their own imagination for progress and would help them to get ready to be men. Dads were encouraged to help their young boys with their train sets and before long, even households which could not readily afford them were featuring toy trains from Cowen’s company in their living rooms.

Sadly, once flight took hold, train travel and toy trains became less popular and far less of a market. In the mid sixties the freight trains were no longer being used and boys and their fathers saw a generation gap like never before. Pennsylvania Station was gone and the Twentieth Century limited no longer ran. During that same time span, Joshua Lionel Cowen also passed away.

Lionel Trains lived on, and with it, the dream of Joshua Lionel that every young man in the world would know the romance of the rails. Today Lionel trains is working on ensuring that young men everywhere and even young ladies can enjoy trains and miniatures in their home and Lionel Trains has begun to enjoy the popularity that it once did.

Lionel Trains have set the standards for model trains for more than a century. Known for their fine craftsmanship and attention to the smallest detail, many of the Lionel collector cars have survived the years with little or no damage and are still much sought after today. One of these is the Fort Knox Gold Reserve car.

This box car was produced from 1961 through 1963 and is so unique that it could only have come from the imagination of the design team from Lionel. A beautiful silver car, with black lettering, the body of this car is crafted from the same mold used in the Aquarium Car which was produced from 1959 through 1962. The car also boasts two clear windows on each side, and a glittering pile of simulated gold bullion inside. From the collector’s viewpoint, the most common damage to this car, as with other silver cars, is fading and wear to the silver finish, which can reduce its value considerably.

One thing that is so fascinating about Lionel collector cars is that there are usually several variations of each car. This is especially true with the Lionel Lines operating dump coal car. This car was produced from 1946 through 1948 and was also called the automatic ore dump car. In contrast to the prewar era cars this coal car was very modern looking and was based on the prototype of an easternUnited   Statesrailroad dump car. Some of the features of these collector’s cars include coil-type, operating couplers, an operating tray, and a platform with a brake wheel at each end. The main variation of these cars is in the coloring. The most common coloring is a painted black car, with the lettering painted in white. These cars are among the easiest to find. The green painted car with white lettering is much more difficult to find, especially if you are looking for something in collector condition. The rarest variation of this coal car is an unpainted aluminum body with blue lettering. It is believed that this car was only produced in 1946, and is very difficult to find. With the history and diversity of Lionel Trains, it isn’t any wonder that you can find collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.

For over 100 years, Lionel trains have been a favorite choice of holiday gifts for joyful children or equally joyful parents. There have been numerous magazine covers and photographs of children on their knees watching their train go round in circles under the Christmas tree.

If mom or dad is a train enthusiast that goes to extremes with their trains, chances are the kids will start with a Lionel Trains Little Lines Trains Playset. This is a perfect choice for the starter train. From there Lionel trains can grow into a hobby or a train room that has the trains set up year round.

Holiday gifts are always fun to choose. It is especially fun when you carry on a 100 year tradition to your children. Lionel trains have been through their difficulties. They merged with American Flyer, they bought other companies and functioned jointly for awhile. They have moved from New Jersey to Michigan after being purchased by General Mills as part of their toy company.

The variety of trains ranges from the Little Lines to major train sets that are modeled after the most famous US trains. The larger high-end train sets are designed for collectors and serious hobbyists. The less expensive sets are great starter sets for children of all ages. Items can be added to your train display. There are villages that can be built with roads, trees, houses and businesses.

Some of the train cars have motion features. One of these is the policeman chasing the hobo and the hobo jumping in the box car. Lionel has always had motion incorporated in their sets. There have been coal cars that dump the coal, logging cars that unload logs and cattle cars that have the cattle getting off the train and walking into corals. Some of these are no longer on the market, but are available at hobby stores and from hobbyists that are selling their sets.

Whatever your level of enthusiasm for Lionel , it is comforting to know that they make great holiday gifts and they are available today at the shoppe.

Pride, entertainment and historic value are features of the older Lionel trains. The 665 Santa Fe-style Hudson Steam Engine was produced from 1954- 1956, 1958 and 1966. A handsome, dependable locomotive, the shimmery black color was highlighted by the 665 on the door. A mid-size steamer, it was designed for an O gauge track and available in nine catalogued boxed sets, as well as sold separately. Even with the opportunity to own one or more, and the intense popularity of this engine, it is a difficult piece to locate.

The boiler design is shared with the 2055, 2065 and 685 and made different by the fronts. Operators were delighted by the external feedwater heater tank located above the headlight on the 2065 and 665. It is one of the details that makes this Lionel engine so special.

Slightly over 11 inches in length, the actual length of the 665 varied depending on its tender type. An easy way to narrow down the year of production is by the accompanying tender. Either a 6026W or 2046W whistling tender was included for this particular Hudson steamer in the 1950s. The 1960s models included a 736W whistling tender.

The driving wheel hardware is quite detailed in its 4-6-4 wheel arrangement. The bell and whistle are embellished with design, meant to be bright, shiny and a symbol of pride. Wire handrails are true to life, as well as the casting beam of the headlight and smoke produced while moving down the track.

An engine and caboose create a train set. Featuring hook & latch couplers, the Lionel 817 caboose is a pre-war O gauge vintage item and one of the more affordable collector items. Over the years one may have been painted or encountered a ding or two, but their real life cousins face the same issues. At heart, it is still one of the quality Lionel metal products made for endurance and use, rather than cheap plastic and questionable safety. Nearly nine inches long, the metal caboose features platforms on each end, used by conductors to check for problems on passing trains and politicians to deliver speeches at whistle stops. You may find an inventory of new and collectible model trains in our shoppe by clicking here

Lionel trains have been part of the toy landscape for many decades. The history of these trains dates back many years and, for some, the history of these amazing trains is lost. For those curious about the history of Lionel trains, here is a brief look back.

In 1900, Harry C. Grant and Joshua Lionel Cowen launched the Lionel Corporation in 1900. The New York City based company did not originally start out as manufacturer of model trains. Rather, it was a producer of early consumer electronics.

The very first train produced by the company was called the Electric Express and it was developed in 1901. Long time fans of Lionel trains might find the following fact to be surprising: this train was never meant to be sold to the public. Rather, it was intended solely as a promotional display for storefronts. The brilliance and artistry of the train was so brilliant, it raised a great many visitors to various stores presenting the train made offers to buy it.

It should go without saying that the Lionel Corporation soon began to produce trains for the general public. During the very early part of the 20th century, the public did have an amazing fascination with trains so the availability of toy Lionel trains was greatly appreciated by the public.

Lionel maintained a massively profitable company until the Great Depression damaged its sales in the early 1930’s. When the United States entered WWII, Lionel ceased making trains so it could contribute its resources to the war effort. In 1945, new Lionel trains would once again be produced.

Lionel Trains would once again experience another major boost in sales in the 1950’s and would remain a major name in the toy train industry for several decades. It would not be until the 1990’s that Lionel would eventually cease operations due to bankruptcy amid changing industry trends.

I have recently pointed out that Lionel trains have a rich history. The
significance of this is that they reflect the concerns of their times and thus
offer insights into the changing history of the United States in the Twentieth
Century. What I have not stressed yet is the scholarship involved in the
research into these trains. By examining the trains themselves and noting
variations in the manufacturing process, we can reconstruct the history of an
entire company right through the present day. We can look at the literature —
the catalogues,
service manuals, and instruction sheets — and find out what advertising
“pitches” worked in a given time. We can even note changes in language over the
years. If you are intellectually inclined, Lionel trains have much to offer
you.

Another reason to develop an interest in Lionel trains involves social
concerns. All of us want social outlets of all kinds to meet new friends aid
share experiences. Most hobbies offer this, but the pursuit of Lionel trains
can introduce you to some interesting people from all walks of life. The common
bond everyone shares can lead to a real education about people for you and your
family. Meeting the many people associated with this hobby can help you avoid
becoming locked into just one little world, because inevitably you will share
the political and social concerns of many segments of our society. That’s a
real education!

One important
reason for developing an interest in Lionel trains is their educational value.
Remember that setting up Lionel trains involves a great deal of
decision-making, and in the end you will be exercising your own creativity
instead of playing with someone else’s designs. The operator of Lionel trains
will learn a great deal about electricity and its functions, just as Joshua
Lionel Cowen had the sense to foresee. The operation, repair, and maintenance
of small electric motors can lead to a career interest. The problem-solving and
visualization skills involved in designing, building, and operating a Lionel
layout can enrich the developing intelligence of young children better than
almost any other toy. Young children can also profit greatly from the exercise
of gross and fine motor skills needed to operate a set of Lionel trains. The
reading and research involved in the building of a collection and the operation
of a layout can stir a great interest in reading. In an age when literacy is so
important to our newly-emerging technical society, an interest in reading can
pay great dividends. As an educator, I recognize the many instructional
advantages Lionel trains can offer to the whole family, not to mention the
great creative outlet these trains can provide.

If you want more formal association with people in the hobby, I’d suggest that
you join one or more of the collecting and operating clubs which have arisen in
the years of the hobby’s development.

The Train Collectors
Association (TCA) is the largest collecter’s organization in the country, with more
than 20,000 members. The TCA sponsors several regional divisions and chapters
throughout the country; this organization, founded in 1954, operates the superb
Toy Train
Museum in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. The TCA is noteworthy for its
twice-a-year train meets at the York,
Pennsylvania fairgrounds. These
shows, for members only, are the largest train markets in the country; they
usually feature seven buildings full of trains!

The Lionel Collectors’ Club of America (LCCA) is another large organization
which specializes in the collection and operation of Lionel trains. Like the
TCA, the LCCA has a national convention, often featuring special rolling stock
made for the organization by Lionel Trains, Inc. These cars are usually highly
prized special issues. The LCCA publishes a terrifically interesting, lively
magazine called The Lion Roars. This journal features up-to-the-minute information on
the latest doings of Lionel Trains, Inc., as well as fine articles and
operating tips.

The Lionel Operating Train Society
(LOTS) is a relative newcomer on the toy train scene, but it has built a
good membership in the last few years and it features national conventions and
yet another fine journal, The Switcher, which features layout contests, maintenance
tips, and many other articles of concern to the Lionel layout operator. Like
the LCCA, LOTS has special cars made for the club by Lionel Trains, Inc.

The Toy Train Operating Society
(TTOS) does not limit itself to Lionel operations, but many great articles
appear in its journal which can add to the dimension and strategy of the Lionel
layout operator. The TTOS also publishes many articles of great historical
significance, in addition to featuring national convention where all kinds of exotic
trains from the past can be seen operating in all kinds of gauges. Highly
specialized collectors of scarce antique toy trains favor the TTOS and are
frequent contributors to its activities.

The National Model Railroaders’ Association (NMRA) is mostly concerned with
scale model operation in 0,5, HO, N and Z Gauges, but that does not mean Lionel
does not get a share of attention. There is one special interest group (SIG)
within NMRA, the tinplate SIC devoted to Lionel trains. In any case, the Lionel
operator can profit a great deal from the electronic and scenic skills of the
fine railroad craftsmen who belong to this organization. Since scale modelers
insist upon absolute realism, they can offer many decorating tricks which can
readily be adapted to Lionels. This organization is also on the cutting edge of
the latest electronics, including the use of computer technology.

First of all,
consider the gauge, or size, of Lionel trains. Lionels are made for 0 Gauge and
027 Gauge, which means there is a space of 1-1/4 inches between the outside
rails of Lionel’s three-rail track. Larger gauges, such as LGB’s G Gauge, may
be easier to play with, but they are also much more expensive and for some,
limited in play value. The American Flyer trains are made in two-rail S Gauge
(by Lionel Trains, Inc., ironically), and they are very impressive. However,
the two-rail configuration leads to wiring complexity and limited operational
value. The smaller gauges favored by scale modelers, HO, S. N, and Z, are not
very durable if they are inexpensive and, if they are of high quality, much
more difficult to maintain and repair. For a family hobby, therefore, Lionel
seems the best choice. To be sure, not all “tinplaters” agree with this
assessment, especially the “Flyer Guys.” However, my experience with toy trains
still points to Lionel as the best choice for a family hobby.

Another significant practical advantage of Lionel trains is that they are available in
absolutely staggering varieties and quantities. Remember that these trains have
been produced for nearly a century. A quick glance at the Greenberg
publications about Lionel trains tells an interesting story. There is a two-
volume guide to the prewar Lionels produced from 1901 to 1942. It is matched by
a two-volume guide to the postwar Lionels of 1945-1969, and there is a hefty
one-volume guide for the Lionels of the modern era produced from 1970 to the
present day.

More important than the sheer quantity of
Lionel trains available to you is the unbelievable variety of these trains. You
have three distinct eras to choose — prewar, postwar, and modern era. The couplers
of the prewar rolling stock are not compatible with the other two eras, but
postwar, and modern era Lionels are completely interchangeable. Steam, diesel,
and electric engines, boxcars, hoppers, gondolas, crane cars, bunk and tool
cars, refrigerator cars —
you name it, Lionel has produced it. Operating accessories? Lionel’s production
will do everything but jump up and sing grand opera! Buildings and structures?
Signals? Tracks? Believe me when I tell you that they are all available!
Naturally, a Lionel collector and operator accumulates trains based upon
personal preferences. My point is that with Lionels, you have ample room to
pick and choose. No other American manufacturer has produced these trains in so
many varieties. In terms of money, the Lionel operator and collector can build
an excellent collection on a very limited budget (as I think! have) or an even
better collection on a lavish budget, as some more monetarily blessed friends
of mine have managed to do. Used Lionels for operation are a great value; for
example, a 2034 Steam Engine produced in 1953 can be found used in great
operating condition for about $50 at the time of this writing. This little
engine does not have smoke or a whistle, but it has an excellent spur-gear
motor which runs very well. If you want smoke and a whistle in your steamer, an
old 2025 in excellent condition will cost you about $150 at this time. This
locomotive represents Lionel’s finest craftsmanship. Lionel Trains, Inc. sells
good starter sets, ready to run, for less money.

Another significant practical advantage to Lionel trains is their quality of
construction and operation. Like any toy manufacturer, Lionel has made its
share of shoddy equipment. However, these trains are, extremely reliable and
durable. Many a Lionel locomotive has dived off a layout onto a floor and come
back for more punishment. On the whole, the electric motors in the locomotives
are simple and rugged; they are also relatively easy to repair, thanks to all the
repair literature produced by Lionel over the years. Lionel issued service
manuals in the same way that auto companies still issue parts and service
manuals — they’re
that comprehensive. No other toy company has ever provided so much service and
operating guidance, and you should take full advantage of this literature so
you can maintain and operate your trains yourself. There’s no guesswork with
Lionels!

Electrically, Lionel’s use of three-rail track has always paid great dividends.
As you’ll see later on, you can take advantage of the extra ground rail to
operate accessories automatically, using the
train itself to turn the accessories on. Wiring procedures are relatively
simple, and the electrical devices themselves are highly reliable. Lionel’s
transformers are protected by circuit breakers for the most part, and since
they are basically very simple devices, there’s not much that can go wrong with
them. They also can handle considerable abuse without burning out. Most of the
accessories work by either solenoids or vibrator motors, both of which are
simple and reliable mechanisms. I have an operating gateman on my layout made
in 1939. After nearly half a century, the little gateman flings open the door
of his shack and meets the train with his lantern every time without fail!
Finally, you must consider that no other toy makes a better long-term
investment than Lionel trains. Collectors of dolls and other antique toys may
dispute this with some justification. However, I have seen the toy train
marketplace grow tremendously over the years, and some astute purchases now are
likely to accumulate value later on. I hasten to add that Lionel trains are not
meant for the speculator who wants to make a quick fortune (although some
recent limited production has offered even that opportunity). These trains are
excellent long-term investments which, in the meantime, can be enjoyed by the
whole family in a thoroughly constructive activity. I doubt that these
trains will lose their value; I sometimes think of my own collection as a form
of savings. The whole issue of play versus investment is a complex one, but
speaking for myself I do not view Lionel trains as bank- vault articles. I
believe in running these trains as they were meant to be run, for only then do
they truly come alive, as I hope you will soon discover.

All of these advantages —
the history, the social contacts, the quality, and the quantity — add up to an
unbeatable combination of stimulation and enjoyment. If you’re just beginning
your involvement with Lionels, you have some great fun ahead of you! Let us
assume, therefore, that you have made your decision to collect Lionel trains as
a hobby and build the best operating layout you can. Once this decision is
made, you need to address several other questions before that layout-building
project gets started. Which Lionel trains should you look for? Where can you
get them at the best prices? How can you find out which Lionels are “out
there?” Should you buy new Lionels, used Lionels, or a combination of both?

Boxcars: There are literally hundreds of choices you can make in this area, and these cars come with virtually every
road name and color scheme you can want. The older 6454 Boxcars made from 1946-1953 aren’t too glamorous, but they add a realistic look to a train and are still reasonably priced. The newer boxcars offer much better and more colorful choices. I would look for the less expensive boxcars out of the 9200, 9400, and 9700 Series, most of which are still available brand-new. These cars have a stamped- steel frame and opening doors, and they look great; they are direct remakes of the postwar 6464 Series which has acquired extensive collector interest.Clearly, the newer cars have the advantage in this category. They also represent the best single value in Lionel rolling stock today. The 9800 Series features beer
cars, candy cars, food cars — you name it! These cars are made of heavy plastic with opening doors, wood-scribed sides, and incredibly colorful electrocals. Do you like beer? Examples come in Coor’s, Budweiser, Schlitz, Old Milwaukee, and Caning’s livery, and if you like something a little stronger, there are the Favorite Spirits cars featuring Wolfschmidt’s vodka, Bailey’s Irish Cream liqueur, Johnnie Walker Scotch, and many others. Candy, you say? There are Good & Plenty, Brach’s Candies, and Bazooka Bubble Gum examples. Sodas? There are bright Pepsi cars in this series. You get the idea! Additionally, if you like an old-time look you would do well to seek out the 5700 Wood sided Reefer Series, which are very realistic, though not as colorful as the 9800s. (Railroads used the term “reefer” in a much more innocent time as a nickname for their refrigerator cars, before the word acquired a slightly more sinister meaning!)

Hopper Cars: In the postwar years, the big “quad” hoppers (four compartments) gained great popularity, and many of these are still available. In the modern era (since 1970), that tradition has continued with the “billboard” type advertising various products and those using real railroad names. The quad hoppers are plentiful and reasonably priced. The smaller hoppers, both postwar and modern, are available in huge quantities at low prices. Try for examples where both couplers are operating versions — in some small hoppers, one or both couplers are non-operating, or
“dummy” couplers. Lately, Lionel Trains, Inc. has introduced some charming little iron ore cars which are well worth the acquisition.

Operating Cars: Lionel has always been famous for its action cars, with reason, and there are afew which you should try to get right away. One car which is legendary and almost indispensable is the “Automatic Refrigerated Milk Car” produced from 1947-1955. So popular was this little white wonder that two and a half million of these cars were made! Bigger versions have been made since, but they lack the charm of this car, where a man dressed in white flings little metal milk cans onto a platform at the touch of a button. It’s certainly not rare and expensive! The Cattle Car and Platform was popular, too, but I would recommend a modern horse or cattle car because the older unit is difficult to keep in proper adjustment.
I also prefer the older Log and Coal Dump Cars to the new ones because they are much more durable. Another great operating car which is readily available in both older and modern versions is the whimsical Giraffe Car, where a giraffe sticks his head out of a hole in the car top and ducks when he comes to a “telltale” pole. Also worth consideration is the Operating Barrel gondola, which is a very charming piece available at reasonable prices, especially in the case of the older 3562-25 gray versions. In General, try at first to acquire operating cars which are simple to set up and operate; leave the more complex ones until later on, when you have acquired an operating and repair manual and are more experienced as an operator.

Cranes & Searchlights: Crane cars, those “big hooks” needed to clear wrecks, have always been prized and sought
after by collectors. As a result, they have been mostly limited production items in the modern era and are not always available at decent prices. However, in the postwar years the red and black 6560 Crane was produced in great numbers. Before you buy a used example, make sure there are no cracks in the cab and that both wheel pulleys work properly. The 6560 Crane is probably your best bet. For searchlight cars in the older era, you might be able to get a die-cast 6520 fairly cheaply, but this car is heavy to pull around on a layout. The modern derivatives of the old 6822 are readily available at decent prices.

Tank & Vat Cars: Lionel has made tank cars in one-dome, two-dome, and three-dome varieties. Of the older tankers, the 6465 Sunoco Two-
dome Car is very plentiful at a low price. You could build a whole fleet of these little silver tankers for very little money! In the modern era, there are tank cars of all three varieties which are plentiful and colorful. You can get the old, traditional look of the black or silver tank car, or you can indulge your fancy by getting a single-dome tanker made to resemble a roll of Life-Savers (somewhat scarce now) or a Tootsie Roll (still plentiful). I personally prefer the modern single-dome tank car because of its metal platform and ladders around the dome.The vat cars are real charmers; they come in Heinz Pickles, Libby Pineapples, Mogen David Wine, Budweiser, Coca Cola, and Dr. Pepper versions. Four round
vats are contained inside the car’s metal and plastic framework. Flatcars: The older flatcars carried pipes, logs, military equipment,
trailers, and even Christmas trees. Some are still common, but depending on the load they carried, many have become scarce and expensive. In the modem era, the TORC (Trailer-On-Rat-Car). Flatcars look terrific, but the trailers have a hard time staying on the cars when they go around a curve at anything but a low speed. There’s a good flatcar with a bulldozer and road scraper kit available, but the dozer and scraper are a little fragile. Perhaps your best bet is to fasten the trailers more securely to the flatcar (an easy process) or to get plain flatcars inexpensively and supply your own loads. There are plenty of good choices out in the market, but like the TORC cars despite their operational
instability, which can be fixed easily with twist-ties. You might also check into the older 6414 Auto Carrier car, a nice piece which can be fitted easily with small Matchbox cars.

Cabooses: There is no more persistent concept about the railroads than the notion of the little red caboose at the end of the train. The older Lionel years produced some excellent candidates for your  aquisition. For example, the Southern Pacific-style square-cupola caboose was made in tremendous quantities in both lighted and unlighted versions. Although the unlighted versions can be purchased for very low prices, I prefer lighted cabooses, so I would look for the 6357 or 6457 models, which are quite plentiful and well-detailed, especially the 6457. Another good bet is the 2457 all-metal Pennsylvania model from 194647, which looks terrific behind a steam engine. The modern cabooses come in
more varieties, most of which are quite affordable. I particularly like the N5C “Porthole” cabooses, which are brightly lighted and very colorful. Also noteworthy are the big bay window models which are very well-made and reasonably priced for the most part. Thanks to the variety of cabooses in more recent years, I have been able to secure a caboose in road markings to match every one of my locomotives. The more expensive extended vision and wood- sided scale cabooses are really spectacular pieces!

Passenger Cars: Because of rising prices and collector influence, it’s not easy to acquire a nice set of passenger cars. The older cars are best left to collectors because of their prices, but there are some possibilities in the modern cars. The 9500 Series has a fine, realistic look, and these cars are affordable in Pennsylvania, Milwaukee, and Baltimore and Ohio versions. Operationally, however, they have a glaring weakness — a non-operating coupler which mounts to the car body instead of the trucks. These are easily broken, and if your track work is irregular these cars can uncouple unexpectedly. After some tinkering, I was able to get my Pennsylvania set to run pretty well, but not without some annoyance. In a real pinch, you can fasten the couplers together with twist-ties! (Wide radius track will prevent this problem, but not all layouts are suited for such track.) The 9500 cars with six-wheel die-cast trucks and operating couplers can get a little “pricey” for the beginner. In the past, Lionel Trains, Inc. issued a new series of Pennsylvania cars based upon the old 2400 Series made in the postwar years. These had operating couplers and lighted interiors and are priced very well; along with some new cars in Amtrak markings, these new offerings are probably your best
bet if you want to make up a passenger train. If you want bigger passenger cars, check out the Madison-style cars made by Williams, not Lionel. These cars are really magnificent behind a large steamer or diesel engine. The large aluminum 0 Gauge passenger cars will only run on 0 Gauge track; they won’t clear the switch boxes of the 027 switches. They happen to be rather beautiful pieces and good investments, despite their expense.

Accessories: Lionel is justly famed for its fine action accessories, whether they are old or new, and these little wonders add real life to anyone’s layout. Most of them operate by either vibrator mechanisms or solenoids, both of which are rugged and reliable. At the outset, it is wise to acquire the simpler accessories until you get some experience in operations. Then, the more expensive and complex accessories would make sense.
The best group of accessories for beginners is the variety of track side signals. Look for the older 151 Semaphores, 152 or 252 Crossing Gates, 154
Highway Flashers, and 153 Block Signals. Most of these are made to operate with a weight-activated contactor, but the use of special insulated track sections is much better. Look for one of the old 45 Gatemen — the little tin shack made from 1935 to 1949. Newer versions are available, but I think the old tin shack has real charm. I possess 15 of these, all different, and the one I have on my demonstration layout was made in 1939. It has operated flawlessly for six years. Other good bets at reasonable prices include the 356 Operating Freight Station, the 445
Signal Tower, the 125 Whistle Shack, the 2127 Diesel Horn Shed, and the 494 Rotating Beacon. I like plenty of lights on my layout, so I have invested in many of the old Lionel and even Marx searchlight and floodlight towers, which are very inexpensive. I.et your imagination be your guide for Lionel’s accessories!