Model Trains Made by Lionel

Lionel trains and train accessories have value as collectibles, provided they are in good enough condition. Of course, the value is a matter of supply and demand. Older items, especially those that were produced in lesser quantities, are more likely to have a higher value than newer items that had larger quantities produced. But age alone is not that good of an indicator. To determine the value of a piece properly it is recommended that a reliable reference book be obtained and used.
Buying from an online auction can result in finding a real gem at a low price, but can also result in overpaying. To properly show a collectible Lionel train car, photographs from all sides is a necessity. If only one picture is available ask, "What is he seller trying to hide?" It may be simply a case of the seller being lazy, but let someone else take that chance. Move on to items properly shown.
Minor damage may be excusable, such as a missing wheel at the end of a rolling freight car. Finding a replacement on a car that is too damaged to be used except for parts is easy. A missing door is another matter. A car that has an undamaged door exactly like the one needed may be hard to find.
If the car originally had a load, and it is missing, consider this to be a major flaw.
Major damage can devalue a car. A repainted car is far less desirable that one with the original paint. Major scratches, severe dents, and other unsightly damage is also to be avoided. Thus, there is the need to see every side. And pay particular attention to the bottom. Major rust problems are unacceptable to collectors. Look at the bottom of the truck, if it is metal, and at the wheels. Check the couplings.
If buying from an online source it is difficult to verify working parts and lights. Check the seller's reputation to see if you can determine whether or not the seller is honest. This is especially true in buying engines. They are usually expensive, and quickly depreciate when they no longer work.
If you are skilled at restoration consider fixing engines and cars for a nice value increase.
Shipping a train car is expensive. If the car costs twenty dollars, and the shipping is ten dollars, think of the price you will have to ask to make a profit. Then allow for fees and the amount you will charge for shipping, since the potential buyers are considering the entire cost. One way of reducing the shipping of train cars you purchase is to buy a group of cars and spread the shipping among them. But be careful. Many groups of cars have some lower value cars included. This is the best way to unload a two dollar car that would carry a seven dollar shipping fee.
Lionel trains are grouped into three groupings, prewar, post war, and modern. Fortunately, track with O and O-27 gauge is compatible with cars from all of the periods. The couplings do differ, so look for compatibility when mixing cars for a train you are assembling.

Consider special holiday trains, and maybe have one under the tree as a decoration.

Prewar Lionel train cars were made to last. They were metal and well constructed. They have low numbers, usually consisting of only three digits.
Since fewer prewar train cars were made, and not all have survived, these usually carry nice prices.
Prewar train cars have a particularly nice appearance. They were well made, and details were considered important. Many have their numbers on their sides, but some have the numbers stamped on the bottom of their trucks.
Prewar train cars are usually smaller than later models, but their wheel span fits the same track.
Passenger cars are normally sold at higher prices than freight cars. If you look, you can often find groupings of three matched cars. Historically, real trains usually had the Pullman cars, baggage cars, observation cars, and other passenger cars from the same railroad pulled by an engine that also belonged to that railroad. Having a matched set adds realism.
Prewar cars are harder to find that later cars. But, they are well worth the search. If nothing suitable is available, check again in a few days.

Postwar train cars come in both plastic and metal. As with the prewar trains, passenger cars are usually more valuable, and having a matched set is a plus. Most postwar cars have numbers that are four digits long. These are clearly displayed on the sides of the cars.
Modern Lionel train cars are relatively new, so their value is much less likely to have appreciated. Yet if one is making a train display these can be nice additions at relatively low prices.
Some of the cars have working parts, such as a person who swings in and out of an open door to indicate loading the car. Having working parts actually do what is expected is important.
Some cars have loads, such as automobiles, barrels, or even a helicopter. More load cars were made after the war than before the war. These loads should be included with the cars.

Lionel has issued some train sets with themes.
Military themed trains exists where tanks, and even ships, may constitute the load.
Some themed train sets exist for popular companies. Disney trains, as all things Disney, have added support for collectability. Depending on the character, a Disney train car can be quite valuable. As with all collectibles, check the price in a reference book before making a purchase.
One might think the Nascar train cars would be at a premium, but their values have yet to rise as one might expect. Again, look the value up for individual cars, but these are so new that most of them have not become rare.

While Pre-war cars often show some wear, one thing that is important is there be no or little rust. People often store old train sets in a damp attic, and too often an otherwise nice pieces has rusty wheels and trucks.

Make certain all parts are there, and everything that should work is in working order. Cars that originally had loads should still have them. Lights, whistles, and smoke should all be in operating condition, it they were part of the car or engine. Some cars have special moving pieces, and these should do what was intended.

Accessories should be in operating condition if they were originally intended to do something. Crossing lights, gates, etc. should operate as designed.

Some clubs operate, and receive special cars. These special releases are harder to find than those sold to the general public.

Passenger cars usually have a higher value than one might expect. Real passenger trains usually have cars from one railroad, with few cars being mixed. Model trains imitate real railroads. So, there are few cars that can be added to a passenger train, unlike a freight train. And freight trains can be played with mixed with trucks and other toys. Adding a rolling stock car to a set is normal. This makes freight trains more plentiful, so the car prices are frequently lower than the passenger train cars.

Condition is important to collectors. Many collectors require all of the parts to be there, no major dents, reasonable condition of paint and decals, couplings, and most important, no rust. Some small parts might be overlooked if missing, since they can be replaced, and minor wear from play may be acceptable, but the collector will decide what can be ignored. If buying, look at every side. If selling, especially online, show every side with the bottom being the most important.

Model trains come in many gauges, and it is real important that the cars all fit the tracks. Also, train cars are made proportional to the width of their wheels, and compatibility is crucial.

Lionel collectible trains are most popular in the ) and )-27 gauge rating, and the smaller HO gauge trains seem to be less expensive, but have a lower desirability to many serious collectors. They are too small to make a nice display, and because this is a more recent gauge older cars do not exist. Antique value adds to the value of many model train cars.

While other gauges exist, some quite wide, the O and O-27 gauge makes some very nice displays..

American Flyer is a domestic competitor. American Flyer started near the beginning of the twentieth century, and did give Lionel some competition, especially in Canada. However, the company went through several different ownerships, and never developed the staying power of its reputation that Lionel currently enjoys.

Another competitor Lionel had in the United States was Marx. Marx made model trains that were play worthy. And, Marx made inexpensive toys, that were readily available in Sears catalog and dime stores.

Bing, a German company started by two brothers, added model trains to their line in the 1880s. Their trains were sold in North America when possible, but exporting to the United States during World War I was impossible. Once someone gets their first train set, additions and changes are often compatible, so they lost ground to Lionel and American Flyer. Bing was making model trains before Lionel and American Flyer, but circumstances blocked Bing's continued success.

Another German company known as a model train maker is Marklin.

Showing a model train collection is a serious matter, and having it shown in a beautiful layout is important. Serious collectors do not just piece track together, but pay attention to many details.

Although it is a German Company's video, the video below is worth watching. It is model layout at a serious level.

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The Big Book of Lionel: The Complete Guide to Owning and Running America's Favorite Toy Trains, Second Edition

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