Lionel Santa Fe Train Sets
The lionel Santa Fe was the first streamline set of Lionel's postwar golden era. The Santa Fe F3 during this period would come to host such innovations as powerful horizontally (later vertical) mounted dual motors with some serious pulling power, magne-traction, a horn and a light.
The 1st Santa Fe set in 1948 was called the Super Speed-liner and consisted of 4 passenger cars with extruded aluminum bodies. As you will see, they looked great.
The Santa Fe Super Speedliner heralded in the golden age of Lionel Trains. If there's ever an icon of America's toy from that period, the Santa Fe with it's bright red war bonnet is it. The Santa Fe train set became apart of American culture. Everybody wanted one, from celebrities to the kid next door or his dad. Lionel had a winner on their hands and it was one of the most coveted toys of the time.
The red yellow on silver war bonnet and the Santa Fe sets are indelibly associated with the holidays for many. I myself remember looking at this train over and over in the Sears holiday Wishbook catalog, as if really staring at it would actually bring it into being.
After World War 2 was a boom time for much of America, the economy was back on track and the rail system was as vibrant as ever. It is fitting that since it's introduction in 1948, the Lionel Santa Fe has been an astoundingly accurate indicator of the health of Lionel as a company. It's evolution and quality has closely paralleled that of it's manufacturer. During the golden age for Lionel, the Santa Fe F3 sported dual motors, magne-traction and many details. During the 1960's the Santa Fe survived with a single motor. Into the 1970's, were tough and lean years for Lionel, the Santa Fe F3 was reduced to having less detail, only one motor and no magne-traction. As the Lionel company recovered, so did the F3, by 1996 the Santa Fe diesel F3 regained it's dual motor status as well as magne-traction with the addition of some new powers like digital sound and TrainMaster control. If this train is any indicator, Lionel is doing much better now as the modern Santa Fe F3 is larger (true scale size) with much more details, TrainMaster Command Control, a smoke unit, digital railsounds, cruise control, lit cabin interior and engineer figures.
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 Lionel Santa Fe Train Set US $180.00 --> Ends In 5h 53m <--  |  Lionel 212 Santa Fe Alco Aa Set US $82.88 --> Ends In 7h 42m <-- |  Lionel 11590 Santa Fe Set Box From 1966 Scarce US $10.50 --> Ends In 7h 42m <-- |
 Old Lionel Train Set 32 Track Pieces Santa Fe US $300.00 --> Ends In 1d 1h 12m <-- |  New Lionel 30001 Santa Fe El Capitan Passenger Set New US $329.95 --> Ends In 1d 4h 32m <-- |  Lionel Santa Fe Southwest Freight Set Nib US $265.00 --> Ends In 1d 6h 13m <-- |
 Lionel Santa Fe 8351 Powered Freight Setreal Nice US $75.00 --> Ends In 1d 7h 41m <-- |  Lionel 11713 Factory Sealed Santa Fe Dash 8 40b Set US $545.00 --> Ends In 1d 15h 4m <-- |  Vintage Retro Lionel Santa Fe Train Set Metal Tin Sign US $13.87 --> Ends In 1d 22h 10m <-- |
 Lionel Santa Fe Train Set In Box Like Brand New US $265.00 --> Ends In 2d 3h 16m <-- |  Lionel Santa Fe Set Post War Original All Works US $799.00 --> Ends In 2d 4h 59m <-- |  Scarce Lionel 6 31909 Santa Fe Shell Tank Car Set US $299.99 --> Ends In 2d 5h 37m <-- |
So in summary, the Lionel Santa Fe F3 engine and train set is an icon in American culture as well as model railroading. Many versions of this train exist. Hopefully with the help of ModelTrainsYard.com you can find the highly sought after models and collectors items. Even if you're more of a casual collector, there is something for everyone and for a price that's lower than you think, you too can have some of the magic that a speeding Lionel Santa Fe brings.
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