Lionel Trains® Page at Spirit of America Bookstore

          Toy trains existed in the 1800s in the form of wooden toys and then wind-up mechanical toys. Electric toy trains began to appear as homes and cities were electrified. Lionel Trains was launched in 1900; other toymakers soon saw a need to standardize toy railroad scale and gauge so that smaller companies could produce equipment and accessories that were widely compatible. The 1909 industry standards defined scales zero thru six; zero soon became O-scale, the other numeric scales withered away during the Great Depression.
          The first 'tabletop' railways appeared as early as 1922, mostly 'half-O' scale, marketed for enthusiasts with smaller homes; the equipment was also easier and cheaper to manufacture. The similar 'naught-naught' or double-O scale debuted at the Leipzig Fair in 1935, including products from Märklin. HO-gauge took off in the United States, partly helped by excellent track from Atlas; OO-gauge became popular in the U.K. from manufacturer Hornby (brand name 'Dublo') and in Germany from manufacturer Märklin.
          The public perception of 'toy trains' and 'electric trains' usually produces images of elaborate HO-scale and O-scale home layouts and-or Lionel trains in a circle underneath the Christmas tree.

"The Golden Age of Toy Trains" [2012]
Directed by Tom McComas & Joseph Stachler
featuring mostly Lionel equipment, but also American Flyer and Marx and Kusan
T.M. Books & Video color DVD [10/2012] for $13.95

"Standard Catalog of Lionel Trains 1900-1942" [] by David Doyle
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0896895998
"Standard Catalog of Lionel Trains 1945-1969" [] by David Doyle
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0896893782
"Standard Catalog of Lionel Train Sets 1945-1969" [] by David Doyle
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0896894444
"Standard Catalog of Lionel Trains, 1970-2000" [] by David Doyle
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0896895777/

"Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Trains, 1901-1942, Volume 1: Standard and 2-7/8" Gauge" [1994] by Bruce C. Greenberg & Christian F. Rohlfing
http://www.amazon.com/Greenbergs-Guide-Lionel-Trains-1901-1942/dp/0897781805/
"Greenberg’s Guide To Lionel, 1901-42: Volume II O & OO Gauges" [] by Bruce C. Greenberg, Christian Rohling (Editor).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0897781813
"Greenberg’s Guide To Lionel Trains, 1901-1942. volume III: Accessories" [] by Peter H. Riddle.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0897784324/
"Greenberg’s Guide To Lionel Trains 1901-1942 Vol. IV Prewar Sets" (Paperback) By Dave McEntarfer.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0897783948

Greenberg's Guide To Lionel Trains O Gauge Volume 1 book by Bruce C. Greenberg

"Greenberg's Guide To Lionel Trains O Gauge, Volume 1: 1915-1928" [2018]
by Bruce C. Greenberg, PhD
Brinkmann Publng hardcover [2018] out of print/used
no Volume 2 found on Amazon (7/2020)

"Greenberg’s Guide To Lionel Trains, 1945-1969 Volume I Centennial Edition: Motive Power and Rolling Stock" []
by Paul V. Ambrose. This is the best-selling collector’s guide.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0897784715
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0897785037
"Greenberg’s Guide To Lionel Trains 1945-1969 Volume II: Behind the Scenes By Bruce C. Greenberg.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0897781872/
"Greenberg’s Guide To Lionel Trains 1945-1969 Volume III: Cataloged Sets (Paperback) By Paul V. Ambrose.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0897784499
"Greenberg’s Guide To Lionel Trains 1945-1969: Volume IV Uncataloged Sets
By Paul V. Ambrose, Joseph P. Algozzini (Contributor), Barbara Morey (Editor)
http://www.amazon.com/Greenbergs-Guide-Lionel-Trains-1945-1969/dp/0897782879/
"Greenberg’s Guide To Lionel Trains 1945-1969: Volume V Rare and Unusual (Paperback) By Paul V. Ambrose, Harry Lovelock
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0897783778
"Greenberg’s Guide To Lionel Trains, 1945-1969, Volume VI: Accessories by Alan Stewart
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0897784758
"Greenberg’s Guide To Lionel Trains, 1970-1991 Volume I: Motive Power and Rolling Stock
by Roland E. Lavoie, Michael A. Solly (Editor)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0897781899/
"Greenberg’s Guide To Lionel Trains, 1970-1991 Volume II: Promotions, Sets, Boxes, etc.
by Roland E. La Voie, Michael A. Solly, Louis A. Bohn, Andrea L. Kraszewski (Editor).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0897782720/
"Greenberg’s Guide To Lionel Trains, 1970-1997: Volume III Accessories (Softcover) By Roland E. La Voie.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0897784197/
"Greenberg’s Guide To Lionel Trains 1987-1995: Motive Power and Rolling Stock: Richard Kughn Era (Softcover) By Michael A. Solly
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0897785177/

	"Lionel’s Postwar F-3s (Toy Train Reference Series, Volume 1)" [1995] by Joseph P. Algozzini topics (per cover) include: product development, sets, catalog art, prototype history, repair & maintenance, packaging, collectability, and variations Greenberg Books 8x10½ pb [6/95] out of print/used
	"Lionel’s Postwar Space & Military Trains (Toy Train Reference Series, Volume 2)" [1996] by Joseph P. Algozzini Kalmbach Publng pb [10/96] out of print/used
	"Authoritative Guide To Lionel’s Postwar Operating Cars" [2005] by Joseph P. Algozzini & Emanuel F. Piazza, Introduction by Roger Carp 'based on 1000s of authentic Lionel documents' Project Roar Publng 10¾x8½ pb [10/2005] for $44.95
	"Authoritative Guide To Lionel’s Promotional Outfits, 1960-1969" [2007] by John W. Schmid, Edited by Roger Carp & George J. Schmid showcases more than 700 electric train outfits (sometimes called 'uncataloged train sets'), 'based on 1000s of authentic Lionel documents'; more than 1,500 full-color pictures and images Project Roar Publng 10¾x8½ pb [7/2007] for $69.95 Project Roar Publng 11x8¾ hardcover [7/2007] for $89.95

Joshua Lionel Cowen [1877-1965]
Joshua Cohen and Harry C. Grant founded Lionel Manufacturing Company in New York City in 1900; Joshua changed his last name from Cohen to Cowen in 1910; introduced O-Gauge in 1915, which eventually became the most popular scale of toy trains; company was renamed Lionel Corporation in 1918; Lionel purchased competitor Ives Manufacturing in 1926 and acquired the reversing unit, an innovation allowing trains to change direction; Lionel became the world's largest toy manufacturer in 1953; Joshua sold all of his stock to his great-nephew, the infamous attorney Roy Cohn, in 1959 and then retired; he died in September 1965 in Palm Beach, Florida.

The story goes that Joshua Cohen made his first electric train for the store window of a New York City department store, as a way to grab the attention of passersby;
the store manager called up next day to order six more because customers wanted their own electric train set.

NOT to be confused with actors Lionel Atwill [1885-1946], Lionel Barrymore [1878-1954], Lionel Jeffries [1926-2010], Lionel Stander [1908-94],
writers Lionel Chetwynd & Lionel Trilling [1905-75], and jazz musician Lionel Hampton [1908-2002] & singer-songwriter Lionel Ritchie

back on the American Railroads / Scale Model & Toy Trains Page at Spirit of America Bookstore

Visiting this webpage from outside the U.S.A.? It is possible to make purchases from these coded Amazon (USA) links
via other Amazon sites: just follow these instructions.

	Lionel Blue Comet Electric O-Gauge Train Set with Remote & Bluetooth Capability [2019] The 'Blue Comet' passenger train of the New Jersey Central Railroad operated from 1929 to 1941; Lionel produced an O-guage train set in 1930 that was very popular (and quite valuable today); several other versions were produced by Lionel and other brands, the most recent being this set with modern controls Lionel O-Gauge Blue Comet train set - 4-6-4 locomotive & 4 cars [1998] - not found on Amazon Lionel O-Gauge Blue Comet Ltd Edition train - 4-6-2 locomotive & 4 cars [2001] - not found on Amazon Lionel O-Gauge Blue Comet train - 4-6-2 locomotive & 4 cars [2012] - not found on Amazon Lionel O-Gauge Blue Comet train set with 4-4-2 locomotive & 3 cars [4/2019] for $320.10 Lionel O-Gauge Blue Comet coach [4/2019] for $67.91
	Lionel Challenger 4-6-6-4 Steam Locomotive [various] Lionel D&RGW O-Scale steam locomotive #3800 [2015?] for $1,999.99 Lionel O-Scale D&RGW steam locomotive #3805 green boiler [2015?] for $1,999.99 Lionel O-Gauge D&RGW steam locomotive #3803 green boiler [2015] list price $999.99 Lionel O-Scale U.P. steam locomotive #3949 [undated] for $1,999.99 Lionel/American Flyer S-Guage D&RGW steam locomotive #3805 [2010] list price $999.99 Lionel HO-Scale 4-6-6-4 steam locomotives [2/2004] list price $699.99 - not found on Amazon (6/2020)
	Lionel O-Scale Hogwarts Express Train Set [2018] Lionel O-Scale 4-6-0 Hogwarts steam locomotive & 3 cars, track [5/2018] for $335.99 Lionel O-Scale 4-6-0 Hogwarts steam locomotive [5/2018] for $248.84 Lionel O-Scale Hogwarts coach [8/2018] for $67.07 Lionel Ready to Play O-Gauge 4-6-0 steam locomotive & 2 coaches, track [10/2019] for $58.99 Lionel G-Gauge 4-6-0 Hogwarts steam locomotive & 2 cars [6/2008] out of prodn/used
	Lionel Pennsylvania RR GG-1 Electric Locomotive with pantographs [various] Lionel O-Scale PRR green locomotive #2360 [9/2008] for $349.99 Lionel O27-Gauge PRR green locomotive #2360 [2014] for $359.99 Lionel/Bachmann HO Scale PRR green locomotive #4842 [7/2013] for $139.99 Lionel/Bachmann HO Scale PRR red locomotive #4890 [9/2015] for $120.64 Lionel/Bachmann HO Scale PRR red locomotive #4876 [7/2013] for $299.15 Lionel/Bachmann HO Scale PRR silver locomotive #4866 [7/2013] for $469.99 Lionel/Bachmann HO Scale PRR bronze locomotive #8300 [7/2013] for $349.95 watch Bachmann official video promo [7/2014 upload; 2:45] online at YouTube you will find more information on Spirit of America Bookstore's Pennsylvania Railroad Page
	Lionel 'The Polar Express' Train Sets [various] Lionel O-Gauge steam locomotive, 3 cars [2/2019] for $280.30 Lionel O-Gauge Limited Edition steam locomotive, 3 cars [2/2019] for $329.99 Lionel HO-Gauge steam locomotive, 3 cars, track [11/2018] for $309.99 Lionel/American Flyer S-Gauge steam locomotive, 3 cars, track [3/2018] for $399.56 Lionel G-Gauge steam locomotive, gondola, caboose, track [6/2014] for $329.99
	Lionel Santa Fe Chief Passenger Trains [2012] Lionel O-guage FT diesel engine #159 [3/2018] for $258.84 Lionel O-guage FT diesel engine #159 & 3 cars [3/2018] for $344.99 Lionel O-guage vista dome car [5/2018] for $104.99 Lionel O27-guage FT diesel engine #162 & 3 cars [3/2012] for $699.95 Lionel G-Scale Ready to Play FT diesel engine #347 & 2 cars [8/2018] for $72.47
	Lionel O-Scale Limited Edition 1829 Stourbridge Lion [2009] Lionel O-Scale locomotive & tender [9/2009] list price $429.99 - out of prodn/used you will find more information on Spirit of America Bookstore's Railroad Pioneers, 1802-1840 Page
	Lionel Thomas and Friends™ O-Scale Train Set [2005] Lionel O-Scale steam locomotive & 2 cars, accessories [3/2005] for $249.95 Lionel Ready to Play O-Gauge steam locomotive & 2 cars, accessories [3/2017] for $184.84 Bachmann® / Thomas™ scale model trains category at Amazon you will find more information on the "Thomas the Tank Engine" Books & Toys & TV Pages
	Lionel O-Gauge Transcontinental Railroad 150th Anniversary Set [2019] two O Gauge 4-4-0 American locomotives, one painted as Central Pacific's Jupiter, the other as Union Pacific's #119; includes gold dual remote control Lionel O-gauge locomotive set [5/2019] for $569.95
	Lionel Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 Steam Locomotive with LionChief© Plus [2014] Lionel O-Scale steam locomotive #4014 [2014] for $1,199.99 Lionel O-Scale steam locomotive #4014 [2014] for $1,199.99 Lionel O-Scale steam locomotive #4024 [2013] not found on Amazon (6/2020) Lionel Union Pacific Sherman Hill Big Boy 4-8-8-4 Steam Locomotive Train Set [2014] Lionel O-Scale steam locomotive #4004 & 5 cars, 4 Sherman tanks [2014] for $1,479.99

	"Lionel Trains® Presents Trans-Con!: The Race To Connect The Country Has Begun" [1999] by Knowledge Adventure CD-ROM video game for ages 7-12, designed for Windows 95 & 98 (also works fine on Windows 7, but not Windows 10); system requirements: 50 MB of available hard drive space, 16 MB RAM, SVGA 256-color graphics, and quad-speed CD-ROM drive Lionel Trains® CD-ROM [8/2004] out of prodn/used "Lionel Trains® Presents TRANS-CON! Centennial Edition" [2010] from Vivendi Universal Interactive/Sierra Online Lionel Trains® CD-ROM in fancy 12x8½" tin box [6/2010] for $13.88
	"Lionel® City Builder 3D: Rise of The Rails" [2015] by Big John Games & Nintendo announced in late 2015 for December 2015 release; not found on Amazon (6/2020) watch 11/2015 official promo [1:26] online at YouTube
	Lionel "Well-Stocked Shelves" 1,000-piece 19¼x16¾-inch jigsaw puzzle [2019] MasterPieces puzzle in 8x8" box [4/2019] for $31.99 Lionel "Well-Stocked Shelves" 2,000-piece 27x36-inch jigsaw puzzle [2020] MasterPieces puzzle in 10x12" box [4/2020] for $31.99
	Lionel "Shopping Spree" 1,000-piece 19¼x16¾-inch jigsaw puzzle [2020] MasterPieces puzzle in 8x8" box [4/2020] via Amazon third-party vendors

	"A Century of Legendary Lionel Trains" [video release 2000] Narrated by Tom Snyder T.M. Books & Video color DVD [12/2001] for $14.99 T.M. Books & Video color VHS [7/2001] 2 tapes - out of prodn/used full credits at IMDb
	"The Magic of Lionel" DVD Set [2005] Visits to 14 layouts in FL, IL, Iowa, MI, NJ, OH & PA; hosted by Tom McComas T.M. Books & Video color DVD set [6/2005] 4 disks for $29.95 watch Disk 1 [9/2019 upload; 52:56] online at YouTube
	"Lionel: The Movie, Parts I, II & III" [2007] limited edition boxed set of digitally-remastered documentary films; includes color feature "Lionel: The Movie" and four b&w films produced by Lionel in the fifties: "Iron Ponies", "Railroad Story", "Caval-cade of Trains", and "Wonderful World of Trains"; plus hilarious bloopers, Lionel radio commercials, and "Lionel Legends In Action" - the Hudson, Santa Fe, GG1, switchers, 6464 boxcars – and more Lionel Trains color DVD set [6/2007] 3 disks for $80.00 {sic}
	"I Love Lionel" [Lionel Corp. Nov 2009] Family-oriented promo video, with special effects including young narrator Jeff inside the cab of a toy diesel, and the introduction of animated Lennie the Lion mascot Directed by Tom McComas & Joseph Stachler 35-minute T.M. Books & Video color DVD [11/2009] for $9.99
	"Lionelville: Destination Adventure!" animated feature [MoonScoop France Dec 2009] On the eve of Lionel’s annual Christmas display, a fiendish plot to steal the company’s breakthrough technology goes awry, ripping a hole in the fabric of time and space; years later, teenage twins Nancy and Bobby seek to uncover what happened that night, embarking on a perilous journey to an enchanted world where Lionel’s spectacular displays have literally come to life • full credits at IMDb 63-minute family feature film directed by David Mucci Fassett Lionel Trains widescreen color DVD [12/2009] for $1.59 {sic} watch excerpt [12/2014 upload; 2:42] online at YouTube

	poster of Lionel Electric Trains magazine ad (full-page ad from Popular Science Monthly of 1926) click here for larger view (in a new window)
	Liberty Magazine had a 16-page Lionel catalog inside and father-son illustration by Percy Leason on the cover, 23 November 1946 click here for larger view (in a new window)
	Lionel Electric Trains magazine ad (full-page color ad of 1954) click here for larger view (in a new window) 10"x6¾" paper collectible from Amazon third party - out of prodn/scarce
	"Beginner's Guide To Repairing Lionel Trains" [1997] by Ray L. Plummer Kalmbach Publng Co. 11x8½ pb [7/1997] out of print/used Kalmbach Publng Co. pb [7/1997] out of print/used
	Kids Station Magazine [circa 1998-2003] from Lionel Trains information scarce: appears to be a free handout by Lionel, probably for distribution at authorized dealers
	"Lionel: A Century of Timeless Toy Trains" [2000] by Dan Ponzol Freidman/Fairfax Publrs 10½x11¾ pb [5/2002] out of print/many used Freidman/Fairfax Publrs 11x12 hardcover [5/2000] out of print/50+ used Freidman/Fairfax Publrs 11x12 hardcover [5/2000] out of print/many used Freidman/Fairfax Publrs 11x12 hardcover [5/2000] out of print/used
	"Lionel: America's Favorite Toy Trains" [2000] by Gerry & Janet Souter Motorbooks/Voyageur Press 10x10 pb [10/2005] out of print/used M.B.I. 10x10 hardcover [10/2000] out of print/many used
	"The Art of Lionel Trains: Toy Trains and American Dreams" [2003] by Roger Carp Kalmbach Publng 10½x10¼ hardcover [10/2003] for $50.00
	"Legendary Lionel Trains" [2004] by John A. Grams & Terry D. Thompson Kalmbach Publng 10½x10½ hardcover [10/2004] out of print/used
	"The Big Book of Lionel: The Complete Guide To Owning and Running America's Favorite Toy Trains, Second Edition" [orig 2004, rev 2011] by Robert H. Schleicher Kindle Edition from Voyageur Press [3/2011] for $16.19 Voyageur Press 10¾x8¾ pb [3/2011] for $24.35 Metro Books hardcover 10¾x8¼ [3/2011] out of print/used

	"Lionel Trains, 1900-1943: Standard of The World" [1976] by Train Collectors Association Train Collectors Assn. 11¼x9 hardcover [1976] for $63.92
	"Lionel Trains: A Collector’s Guide and History, Volume I: Prewar O Gauge" [1975] by Tom McComas & James Tuohy, Photography by Jack Lane Chilton Books 11¼x8½ pb [9/93] out of print/used T.M. Prodns 11x9 hardcover [1975] out of print/used
	"Lionel Trains: A Collector’s Guide and History, Volume II: Postwar" [1993] by Tom McComas & James Tuohy Chilton Books 11x8½ pb [9/93] out of print/used Chilton Books 11x8½ hardcover [1975] out of print/used
	"Lionel Trains: A Collector’s Guide and History, Volume III: Standard Gauge" [1975] by Tom McComas & James Tuohy Chilton Books 11½x8½ hardcover [9/93] out of print/used
	"Lionel Trains: A Collector’s Guide and History, Volume IV: 1970 - 1980" [1993] by Tom McComas & James Tuohy, Photography by Jack Lane Chilton Books 11¼x8½ pb [9/93] out of print/used
	"Lionel Trains: A Collector’s Guide and History, Volume V: The Archives" [1975] by Tom McComas & James Tuohy T.M. Prodns 11x8¾ hardcover [1981] for $9.50
	"A Collector’s Guide and History To Lionel Trains, Volume VI: Advertising & Art" [1981] by Tom McComas & James Tuohy T.M. Prodns 11x8¾ hardcover [1981] out of print/used

	"Lionel Nation 4-DVD Collector's Set, Parts 1-4" [2009] Parts 1-4: T.M. Books & Video color DVD set [10/2009] 4 disks for $39.99 Part 1: T.M. Books & Video color DVD [5/2009] for $21.06 Part 2: T.M. Books & Video color DVD [5/2009] for $21.98 Part 3: T.M. Books & Video color DVD [8/2010] for $23.97 Part 4: T.M. Books & Video color DVD [8/2010] for $23.97
	"Lionel Nation 4-DVD Collector's Set, Parts 5-8" [2012] Parts 5-8: T.M. Books & Video color DVD set [4/2012] 4 disks for $39.99 Part 5: T.M. Books & Video color DVD [10/2010] for $12.49 Part 6: T.M. Books & Video color DVD [4/2011] out of prodn/used Part 7: T.M. Books & Video Region 1? color DVD [10/2011] for $14.99 Part 8: T.M. Books & Video color DVD [4/2012] for $10.99

	"Greenberg's Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide, 1901-2021" [DUE August 2020] Edited by Eric White Kalmbach Media 41st Edition pb [8/2020] for $22.99
	"Greenberg's American Flyer Trains Pocket Price Guide, 1946-2021" [DUE August 2020] Edited by Eric White Kalmbach Media 32nd Edition pb [8/2020] for $15.99

	"All Aboard: The Story of Joshua Lionel Cowen & His Lionel Train Company" [1981] by Ron Hollander Workman Publng 10¾x8½ pb [11/91] out of print/many used Workman Publng 11x8¾ hardcover [10/2000] for $18.96
	"The World's Greatest Toy Train Maker: Insiders Remember Lionel" [1997] by Roger Carp inside story of the Lionel Corporation across five decades as told by former employees Kalmbach Publng Co. 10½x7¼ hardcover [10/97] for $41.90
	"Inside The Lionel Trains Fun Factory: The History of A Manufacturing Icon and The Place Where Childhood Dreams Were Made" [2008] by Robert J. Osterhoff Project Roar Publng 10x10 hardcover [11/2008] for $34.95

Spirit of America BookstoreLionel Trains® [est. 1900]

Spirit of America Bookstore
Lionel Trains®
[est. 1900]