No toy train is better known than Lionel O Scale Trains. Baby boomers still recollect Lionel as the crème-de-la-crème of model trains. Oh those big hardware store display trains that hypnotized us as little guys and gals. Around Christmas the local hardware store would put one up and watch as it drew us all in like metal shavings to a magnet. Challengers like Bachmann and financial woes have long since undone Lionel’s supremacy, but the brand still carries a lot of its former cachet. Here’s some reasons why I believe it is still popular among avid model train fans:
It’s every thing to do with the O gauge: Part of the explanation why Lionel fell from grace in the post World War II era has to do with the scale of its locomotive. Lionel trains were usually in O gauge, but with the boom of model training in the 50’s more and more middle class model train hobbyists began to purchase trains for smaller spaces. O gauge trains are one 48th the size of real world trains and require an 8’ x 16’ space as a minimum. This was simply too big of a space requirement, so fans turned to HO scale which only required a 4’ x 8’ space. Lionel’s failure to adapt is what cost it and what makes its odd scale a real draw for enthusiasts these days.
Lionel’s long history makes it a model train lover’s favorite: Lionel’s many decades makes it a popular choice for collectors. The nostalgia that Lionel inspires in a lot of model train enthusiasts cannot be discounted. Long lost memories come clattering out of dark tunnels of the subconscious when you see one of these classic trains. Lionel’s trains seem never to break and so they’ve survived its lean years protected in craft and second hand stores.
You’ll find no lack of manuals and news items on Lionel: Lionel’s got its own little world of devoted enthusiasts including the rocker Neil Young. There are two types of books on Lionel. First, there are books that are specifically devoted to getting you going with model training using Lionel O gauge trains. Second, a ton of books mark the ups and downs of Lionel’s exemplary history.
Finally, Lionel is popular because they just made good trains: The value of these trains can simply not be understated! Larger than most other trains, they are ideal for detailing and decaling and weathering. The easy to work with scale of Lionel trains make it a favorite among people who love to paint and detail model trains. The scale is also a big aesthetic draw for hobbyist’s who value beauty. Lionel trains really stand out.
Regardless of the company’s finances, Lionel O gauge should be a model train stand out for the foreseeable future. Even if Lionel declares itself bankrupt, enthusiasts will continue to protect its historical trains. You can’t really miss with Lionel.
Here is more information on Toy Model Trains. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.