Lionel Trains
As with most original & successful ideas, the "Electric Express" gondola wasn't intended to be the iconic toy or model that Lionel trains would go on to be. The simple electric gondola was just designed to be a novel way for merchants to display items in store windows.
It was Lionel's idea that the motion of the train would attract and focus attention on the featured items inside the train. This novel concept succeeded in generating attention but failed as a marketing tool, as the attention and interest from store merchants, customers and passing pedestrians alike was exclusively on the "Electric Express" gondola itself. Many inquired about purchasing the electric train. This unexpected interest caused Lionel Cowen to rethink his original intentions and successfully enter the toy business which Lionel would eventually become king of.
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![]() Lionel Pre War 817 Caboose Train Car US $59.99 --> Ends In 16m <-- | ![]() Lionel 31701 Boys Boys Train Add On Wp Boxcar 39257 US $59.00 --> Ends In 20m <-- ![]() | ![]() Lionel Pre War 254 Engine Train Car Locomotive US $94.99 --> Ends In 32m <-- |
![]() Lionel O Gauge Locomotive 224e Train Engine Nr US $41.00 --> Ends In 42m <-- | ![]() Lionel Santa Fe Train Set US $180.00 --> Ends In 1h 12m <-- ![]() | ![]() Lionel 2321 Lackawanna F M Train Master US $249.95 --> Ends In 1h 15m <-- |
![]() Lionel 30122 Wizard Of Oz Train Set W Trainsounds New US $269.00 --> Ends In 1h 17m <-- ![]() | ![]() Lionel 262e O Gauge Motor Train Engine Nr US $43.77 --> Ends In 1h 24m <-- | ![]() Lionel Pre War 811 Operating Log Loading Train Car US $16.89 --> Ends In 1h 29m <-- |
![]() Lionel Train 675 2025 2035 Steam Loco Boiler Front New US $22.99 --> Ends In 1h 30m <-- ![]() | ![]() Lionel Train 646 2046 2055 2056 Hudson Boiler Front New US $22.99 --> Ends In 1h 31m <-- ![]() | ![]() Lot 27 Lionel Train Cars O Boxcar Gondola Tank Nib Set US $364.87 --> Ends In 1h 32m <-- |
Today after several cycles of success and decline, Lionel is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance. With new owners who have and express a genuine love of trains and the model railroading hobby, greater attention to detail and realism, improved authentic & non-compromising re-issues of classic trains that have been known and loved by collectors through the years along with the creation of multiple product lines to fulfill the needs of everyone from the child getting his or her first train set to the serious collector looking for true scale and the finest details, Lionel Trains are back in a big way. Also, the competition such as MTH has really stepped up the state of the art and there is no room for complacency.

















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