Any Model Train enthusiasts here?

[Gonz]

I'm sure I'm in the same boat as many other sad semi-grown-ups.

When I was a kid we had boxes upon boxes of Lionel O-guage model trains. More track than I knew what to do with, several engines, dozens of assorted cars, all kinds of accessories such as light towers, log loaders, loading platforms etc. These were all ones that my grandfather bought back in the 40's and 50's, my Dad kept them, I played with them all the time as a kid.

Then I went off to college, my parents retired down to FL and didn't want to deal with the trains so my Dad sold them to a dealer. :0

Now I have kids of my own, and it makes me furious that we don't have those trains anymore. I'm starting from scratch and I picked up a starter set this year for x-mas. I guess it's my toy as much as the kids'.

I'd love to build up a collection and try to track down all the things I recall having as a kid. Can anyone recommend a particular forum for Lionel trains? There's about as many of them as there are cigar boards, so I'd like to find a good one right away!

 

[Putz Mulligan]

Not sure of any sites for Lionel Trains but I can relate to your story only the set I was given that originally belonged to my father I still own. No room to set it up at this time due to the "miles and miles" of tracks. 1953 Switcher Steam Engine with a ton of freight cars and also a passenger train. Assorted buildings, working coal loader, log loader, etc. Had it all set in my room when I was a kid. Now it's all in boxes. Last I checked many years ago the 1953 Switcher Engine was worth about $500 depending on the condition.

Good luck finding a good site.

 

[Gonz]

Yep, from the research I've been doing the "pre-war" and "post-war" era model trains are worth big bucks now in decent condition. I've been finding a ton of stuff on ebay, and 1950's engines from Lionel in working but obviously used condition are going for $200-$300.

It sure has been fun looking already though, as I'm finding items that I recall having when I was a kid and it brings back some real fun memories!

 

[Doc Wylie]

For my first Christmas as a 6-month old in 1949, my Grand-Uncle, who used to work as a fireman on the PRR, bought me a Lionel passenger car train set with (of course) a PRR locomotive! I still have it, along with a couple of vintage accessories (milk car, cattle car and some misc. cars and buildings). The last time it was se tup was when my youngest son (now 28) was a little boy. It's been packed away waiting to be either set up for the grandkids or put into a display case. I'd never sell it. The locomotive was still working great and puffed smoke when you put one of those little pills into the smokestack. Nothing like the heft and feel of a heavyweight vintage Lionel locomotive!

 

[enerjay]

This may help LINK