There’s something special about riding a trolley. A number of years ago, while visiting a friend in Maine, she took me to the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport. It was a fascinating place full of vintage transit pieces. For the admission price, you could ride the trolley as many times as you liked around the […]
There are few diesel locomotives in model railroading that provoke nostalgia like an F3. That being said, I’d argue the Train Master might be a close second. Originally offered by Lionel in 1954 as the No. 2321, this massive six-axle road switcher provided hobbyists with a diverse use on nearly any layout. This model was […]
During the first three decades of the 20th century, most toy train manufacturers simulated the appearance of prototype railroad cars by decorating them with realistic heralds and complex decoration. The secret to producing these cars economically was a process called lithography, in which images are transferred from smooth stone plates to another surface, such as […]
Railroads changed almost endlessly in 20th-century America, due to bankruptcies, mergers, and takeovers. Regional lines combined to improve efficiency, retain customers, and upgrade their rosters; larger ones blended their networks of rails and brought employees together to remain profitable and counter big rivals. Among the most significant of those changes was the formation of Conrail […]
Round 2, a collectibles company and portfolio company of Praesidian Capital, today announced it has acquired Lionel, LLC, a historic brand founded more than 125 years ago. In a press release sent to Classic Toy Trains, the arrangement will create the Lionel Brands Group. The deal unites two category leaders under one roof, giving the […]
Last week, CTT posted an announcement that Round 2 intends to purchase Lionel LLC. Lionel is 126 years old and as an icon in the hobby, hobbyists have questions and concerns about its future. I’ve put together some commentary on what might happen, given what I know about both brands. I’d love your input; please […]
For over 125 years, the name Lionel has been synonymous with toy trains. The storied American manufacturer, founded in New York City, has changed hands more than a few times over the years. As Round 2 prepares to acquire Lionel, LLC, and create the Lionel Brands Group, let’s take a look back at the history […]
Classic Toy Trains recently posted an article announcing Round 2’s intent to acquire Lionel, LLC. If you’re not a die-cast or plastic model kit fan, you might not be familiar with Round 2 or its product lines. According to Tim Kidwell, Editor-in-Chief of FineScale Modeler magazine, Round 2 is best known for producing plastic model […]
The parent company of Round 2, Praesidian, has announced their intent to acquire Lionel Trains. The following press release was shared with the editorial staff of Classic Toy Trains: As you may have heard, Praesidian’s portfolio company, Round 2 has announced its intent to purchase Lionel, LLC. In the weeks ahead, as the transaction progresses, […]
The world of O-gauge, 3-rail track comes in three main choices: tubular, roadbed, and realistic. The next challenge is selecting the right brand from the many manufacturers — some still in business, others long gone — that will fit your wants and desires. Atlas Model Railroad Company, Inc. Address: 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205 […]
Talk about inspiring dreams of greatness! Sepia-tone photographs sprinkled about in the opening pages of Lionel’s consumer catalog for 1940 couldn’t have done a better job of persuading kids and their fathers to buy an electric train and build a model railroad. Especially convincing was the picture on page 11, the companion to one on […]
Though I’ve been in the hobby for more than 70 years, I’m still amazed at the number of new products being released. Gone are the days when the Lionel or American Flyer “wish books” would fill our dreams of new engines, cars, or accessories. Now we have the internet, hobby shops, and train shows to […]
