He worked with Neil Young to make RailSounds II in 1992, and Train Master Control was also released. Kughn brought status back to the name Lionel, as he produced functioning couplers strong steel wheels and introduced “RailSounds” in 1989. General Mills sold the company’s rights to a real estate developer named Richard Kughn, who established Lionel trains incorporated. Production moved back to the United States in 1986. This relocation was a poor choice for the company because the tactic failed miserably. Very few items from this period remain popular or sought after, as the quality of the goods heavily declined.Īround 1985, the production was moved to Mexico. They started to make plastic trucks and couplers.
Unfortunately, during this era, the company used cheap manufacturing methods. The division was later retitled Fundimensions in 1973. 1969 to 1995Īfter General mills got the rights to Lionel trains, they merged their business into their toy division, Model Products Corporation. The post-war era is still highly sought after. Lionel sold the rights to General Mills, an American manufacturer of customer goods, in 1969. Unfortunately, by the mid-’50s, Lionel saw a decline in business with the advent of television.Įventually, the organization fell into bankruptcy in 1967. It is because of their pure brilliance in marketing to children and their unique innovation that Lionel trains popularity peaked significantly at this time. Once they had their models ready, customers could purchase the model train sets in a wide array of the following: The goal was to make their model railroads appear more realistic. They were modeled after real-life trains. In 1948, they also introduced diesel engines. It stayed this way for many years.Īfter the war, Lionel launched magnetic knuckle couplers and remote coupling. These were the train sets that little boys and girls would find under the Christmas tree. Lionel resumed production when the war ended in 1945.Īt this time, Lionel O gauge model railroad sets were their most popular product. Instead, they produced compasses for the boys in the war. 1945 and onĭuring World War II, Lionel ceased production so that they could amass funds and help with the war. If the item is more sought after, they can go for a thousand dollars. On average, these trains will sell for a few hundred dollars.
It depends on the scarcity of the item and the condition that it is in. These trains can sell anywhere from twenty dollars to around several thousand dollars. These items permitted the construction of Lionel trains into life-like assemblies. The track advanced and became the Lionel standard gauge size that it is known for today. Lionel soon had an advertising image, and it became known as the “standard of the world.” The gauge track was made to go along with the transformer. The lack of safety did not go unnoticed, as a 110-volt transformer soon replaced the wet cell batteries.Ī three-rail track, often referred to as a standard gauge track, was designed to decrease short circuits. The first Lionel trains were operated by wet cell batteries, which were beyond unsafe. Lionel created its model designs during the Pre-War era. The following are some of the Lionel train’s eras and the value of the train for each period. The company has changed hands many times, but Lionel’s name remains synonymous with quality train sets. There is a rich and exciting history behind Lionel trains. Lionel trains can be worth, on average, a few hundred dollars unless the model is undesirable and in poor condition. The business conditions are also a factor, as collectors want to know the date of the collectible. The make and quality of Lionel trains are associated with different times that occurred in the Lionel Corporation. The people who purchase these precious collectibles are concerned with the item’s condition.
You can never underestimate the power of nostalgia. Lionel collectors are typically passionate about their trains. The value of the Lionel train varies depending on the following: Take a ride through this article and learn more about Lionel train sets and how much they are worth. The Lionel standard gauge is considered the most valuable Lionel train set ever made. Lionel trains are typically worth about a few hundred dollars on average. It depends on how many models were made and the train set’s condition. Lionel trains can be worth anywhere from $20 to a few thousand dollars. They were marketed to children a long time ago, and now they are perfect for those who are looking for a valuable piece of nostalgia. Lionel model trains are an iconic brand with a rich and remarkable history.