Lionel Locomotive
Lionel Trains Collecting Tips
Lionel Trains was founded by a man named Joshua Lionel Cowen who was born in 1877 and lived until 1965. At the young age of seven, Joshua had developed a fascination for mechanical functioning of simple devices. He built his initial little wooden train locomotive and tried, without success, to motorize it by using a small steam engine. In the course of the next several years, he acquired useful practical knowledge doing work at a dry cell battery manufacturing company. He also gained electrical circuit knowledge while working a lamp company. The experience with electrical circuits obtained working at these businesses made it easier for his eventual success of motorizing the small train engine.
It was in 1900, marking the new century, that Joshua Lionel Cowen established Lionel trains. In 1906, he introduced a three-rail track based model train that he called standard-gauge. It was not long before other companies including American Flyer and Ives started to make trains that also ran on standard-gauge. These competitors termed it wide gauge. Soon after the first World War ended, Lionel, together with Ives and American Flyer started to produce smaller sized trains, labeled O gauge , These trains were noted for their metallic construction, colorful appearance, and hook couplers.
Generally speaking, Lionel model trains are grouped into three time periods. They are the Pre-World War II, (years 1901-1942), the Post-war period from 1945-1969 and Modern, anything newer than 1970. As expected, resell prices are the highest on items which were manufactured prior to 1969. Some specific railroad names can fetch higher prices, such as the Union Pacific. There exist a large number of resources offered to assist in your understanding and love of these trains. A number of collectors price guidebooks can be found that have detailed information. Regardless if you are a collector, a new train fan, or just planning to sell things, Lionel model trains have continued to be an enduring product.
Lionel trains produced prior to the second World War, have the most collectible value. These older sets are bigger than those built following the war. This reduction in size was necessitated by the limitation on metal for the war effort. A key collectible train set of this era is the “States” set. The boxcars that were part of the model train set featured the names and a map of the states. Any Lionel model with Walt Disney images is usually of more value, in particular the Disney Circus Train. During the 1950’s, Lionel developed a train for girls that had a pink train engine along with a blue caboose. Not many were made for lack of sales. Some merchants repainted these a strong black color to sell them.
In the post-war years from 1945 through 1969, Lionel focused on developing O scale train sets. General Mills acquired Lionel in the late sixties. They produced model trains that were somewhat less detailed. They replaced many of the metal parts with plastic ones. As a note, post-war era Lionel train couplers were made in two styles. One had a spring-loaded pin under the coupler. The second type are longer and resemble a “G,”
From 1970 to the present, the company based its new models on an older design style and focused more on realism. This change happened after General Mills sold the company. In 2004, Lionel introduced the Polar Express train set which was very popular and became an immediate collectible. Lionel is still releasing new and imaginative models today.
One of the major changes in the contemporary Lionel trains is the color scheme for the models was no longer so bright and colorful. More of a focus was placed on the realistic look of the real world prototype. Doing this increased the popularity and sales of Lionel trains to collectors who before had tended to ignore Lionel models, considering them to be unrealistic. Lionel also began marketing localized versions which were more realistically painted like the prototype trains.
The collector resell value of contemporary period Lionel trains continues to be constrained when compared to trains manufactured by Lionel Corporation previous to 1969. Even though it seems to be improving, collectors have displayed limited desire for trains manufactured by a succession of companies, including MPC, Lionel Trains Inc., and Lionel, LLC, Particularly if the models are exhibit less than mint condition and the original box is not included. Lionel has been reissuing older models that has caused a decrease in the resell value of older traditional Lionel and American Flyer trains.
About the Author
Charles Osbourn is a business marketing professional, teacher and author who regularly contributes articles to the web. His latest textbook is on Embedded Microcontrollers. Charles also has a well developed Internet presence and is a collector of model railroad trains. You can find loads of information on Lionel trains at http://lioneltrains4less.com/ and great pricing on the preWar Lionel trains at http://lioneltrains4less.com/prewar-lionel-trains.
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MTH DIESEL SMOKE FLUID train lionel locomotive 601048 $14.84 |
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2010 Hallmark Limited Quantity Kansas City Lionel Locomotive ornament MIB $19.95 |
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Lionel # 248 Locomotive $39.00 |
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2004 Hallmark Keepsake LIONEL Hiawatha 3 Pc Set Locomotive Observation Caboose $39.99 |
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Lionel New 6-51110 #261E Christmas Locomotive $200.00 |
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LIONEL PREWAR 238E 4-4-2 GRAY LOCOMOTIVE W 265W TENDER RUNS WELL ORIGINA;L $254.95 |
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Vintage Pre-War 1668 LIONEL LINES Train Engine Locomotive O Scale 2-6-2 (D80) $26.00 |
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Lionel Wabash Steam Locomotive Passenger Train Fallen Flag Series No. 1 $950.00 |
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Lionel 8005 ATSF General Locomotive O-Gauge **See more photos on listing** $44.99 |
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Lionel 8902 Atlantic Coast Line Locomotive O-Gauge $19.99 |
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Hallmark Lionel 4501 Southern Mikado Steam Locomotive Train Blown Glass Ornament $14.99 |
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Lionel 198 Great Northern RS-3 Locomotive O-Gauge $45.99 |
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LIONEL 6-18214 CSX DASH 8-40C DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE ROAD #7500 WITH ORIGINAL BOX $199.00 |
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Lionel 8354 Erie Switcher Locomotive O-Gauge $32.99 |
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LIONEL #38688 STRASBURG 0-8-0 LOCOMOTIVE & TENDER ONLY $109.95 |
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Lionel 8111 DT&I Switcher Locomotive O-Gauge $54.99 |
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Hallmark LIONEL HIAWATHA LOCOMOTIVE TENDER MINI 2005 Miniature Ornament Set NEW $19.95 |
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Lionel 8770 Electromotive Division Switcher Locomotive O-Gauge $54.99 |
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Hallmark 2004 Lionel 1939 Hiawatha Locomotive Train #9 $15.29 |
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VINTAGE BLACK LIONEL COLOMBIA TYPE 242 LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE #1060 $14.99 |
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Hallmark LIONEL DAYLIGHT LOCOMOTIVE TENDER MINI 2004 Miniature Ornament Set $14.95 |
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Lionel 8153 Reading Lines Switcher Locomotive O-Gauge $56.00 |
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VINTAGE BLACK LIONEL PENNSYLVANIA SCOUT LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE #249 $14.99 |
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Hallmark Union Pacific Streamliner Locomotive Lionel Train Ornament #15 $10.75 |
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Lionel O Pennsylvania GG-1 Electric Locomotive 6-18374 $899.95 |
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Lionel 1-381-E Locomotive $425.00 |
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Lionel Steam Locomotive and Tender (Pennsylvania) $955.00 |
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Hallmark Ornament 1997 Lionel Train 1950 Santa Fe F3 Diesel Locomotive $10.95 |
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Lionel #18610 Rock Island 0-4-0 Locomotive and Tender $124.95 |
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Lionel #18564 Canadian Pacific GP-9 Diesel Locomotive $274.95 |
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Lionel Rectifier Type Electric Locomotives instructions $22.99 |
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LIONEL IRON HORSE FREIGHT 5 UNIT ELECTRIC TRAIN SET LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENGINE ‘88 $78.00 |
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Lionel O ga. Santa Fe #2353 Locomotive with dummy engine $220.00 |
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Lionel GP-9 Road Switching Locomotive instruction sheet $15.99 |
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Lionel GP-7 Road Switching Locomotive 2328-6 instructio $15.99 |
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LIONEL POSTWAR 2322 VIRGINIAN FM TRAINMASTER DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE $399.00 |
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Lionel O NYSW Susquehanna Dash 8-40B Diesel Locomotive 6-18211 $399.99 |
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LIONEL POSTWAR 2331 VIRGINIAN FM TRAINMASTER DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE YELLOW & BLACK $365.00 |
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LIONEL POSTWAR 2338 MILWAUKEE RD GP-7 DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE $215.00 |
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LIONEL 8300 2-4-0 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE / PRETTY NICE / NO RESERVE $22.50 |
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2006 HALLMARK Union Pacific Veranda Turbine Locomotive #11 Lionel Trains $29.95 |
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Vintage O Scale LIONEL # 2626 Steam Engine Locomotive 2-6-2 (D86) $22.50 |
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LIONEL POSTWAR # 1062 2-4-0 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE / PRETTY NICE / NO RESERVE $9.99 |
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Lionel Steam-Type Locomotives 671-210-2-52 instruction $15.99 |
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Lionel No. 1615 Locomotive instructions sheet $15.99 |
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VINTAGE LIONEL LOCOMOTIVE TRAIN # 1061 $27.01 |
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Lionel w/ TMCC SP/SF SD-40T-2 locomotive #6-28225 $177.50 |
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LIONEL POSTWAR # 243 2-4-2 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE / EXCELLENT / NO RESERVE $9.99 |
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Lionel PW #221 2-6-4 NYC Empire State Hudson Locomotive Service Manual 32pg’s $11.99 |
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LIONEL PREWAR # 254 ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE / NICE / TAKE A LOOK / NO RES $68.00 |
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VINTAGE LIONEL LOCOMOTIVE TRAIN # 490 $9.99 |
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Lionel 1689E-24 Trailing Locomotive Truck, Re-Pro Part $6.00 |
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Lionel No. 2321 Diesel Locomotive Instructions Sheet 2321-85-9-54 $18.99 |
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Lionel No. 2343 & 2344 Twin Diesel Locomotives Intructions Sheet 2343-15 3-51 $18.99 |
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Lionel 1947-49 #675,2025 2-6-2 Locomotive/ Baldwin Disc Drivers Service Manual $11.99 |
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Lionel Twin Diesel Locomotives Instructions Sheet 2353-53-6-53-TT $18.99 |
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Lionel GP-7 Road Switching Locomotive Instructions Sheet 2328-6-7-55-TT $18.99 |
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Lionel GP-7 Road Switching Locomotive Instructions Sheet 2328-6-7-55-TT $18.99 |
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c1951 LIONEL LINES TRAIN 2023 ALCO DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE UNION PACIFIC $66.00 |
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HO Scale Chesapeake & Ohio Alco FA-1 Powered Locomotive Vintage Lionel $24.99 |
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Lionel 8665 Bangor and Aroostook 1776 Locomotive and 9176 Caboose O-Gauge $114.99 |
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Lionel Reading Lines GP-20 Custom Locomotive O-Gauge $74.99 |
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Lionel Wabash Locomotive Train Set $790.00 |
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LIONEL 6-8212 CHESSIE WM GP7 DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE W/BOX $129.00 |
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Lionel New York Central 700 E Hudson Locomotive 18005 Train $708.00 |
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Lionel No. 246 Locomotive Instructions Sheet 246-7 5-59 $15.99 |
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Lionel 18010 PRR 6-8-6 STEAM TURBINE LOCOMOTIVE, NICE!! $825.00 |
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Lionel Smoke Locomotives Instructions Sheet 2035-13-2-55-TT $15.99 |
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Hallmark 2010 Lionel Kansas City Southern Locomotive Limited Ornament $27.95 |
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LIONEL O GAUGE ALASKA ALCO RS-3 DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE – LIONEL 6-28882 – WITH BOX $43.00 |
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Lionel New York Central 4-4-2 Locomotive and Tender 6-28694 NIB $29.91 |
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LIONEL TRAINS 18000 PENNSYLVANIA 0-6-0 B6 SWITCHER LOCOMOTIVE AND TENDER IN BOX $394.95 |
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Postwar Lionel O Scale Diecast #224 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive w 2466W Tender w Boxs $56.00 |
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Hallmark 2010 Lionel Steamliner Locomotive Ornament $16.95 |
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Lionel #2026 2-6-4 Steam Locomotive w/6066T Tender Made in 1951-1952 C-7+ $39.99 |
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NEW NRFB Lionel 2331 VIRGINIAN FM TRAINMASTER Diesel Locomotive Type III 6-18370 $170.26 |
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1948 Lionel #1656 Locomotive 0-4-0 Steam switcher & 6403B Tender. $200.00 |
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Lionel Early #2026 2-6-4 Steam Locomotive w/6066T Tender Made in 1948 C-7 $51.50 |
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LIONEL SCOUT 2-4-2 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE 246X engine train o gauge NEW 6-30127E $69.84 |
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Hallmark 2007 Lionel Freedom Train Locomotive Ornament $14.95 |
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Postwar Lionel O Gauge 6110 Steel Locomotive Shell $16.00 |
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Lionel 6-18049 N&W J 4-8-4 600 Steam Locomotive and Tender $113.51 |
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Lionel 5 Thin Rim Steam locomotive. Early! $510.00 |
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Vintage Black Lionel Pennsylvania Locomotive #249 (working) $50.00 |
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Lionel 2340-1 Tuscan GG1 Electric Locomotive~Nice Original! $698.99 |
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Mint Lionel 5725 Diesel Locomotive Engine Shell Southern Pacific NOS New Mint! $99.99 |
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Lionel 628 Northern Pacific 44 Ton Diesel Locomotive $30.26 |
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Lionel 6-8452 Erie Alco A Diesel Locomotive EX+/Box $50.00 |
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1998 Hallmark Ornament Pennsylvania GG-1 Locomotive Lionel Train MINT!! $17.99 |
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1996 HALLMARK 700E HUDSON STEAM LOCOMOTIVE LIONEL TRAIN ORNAMENT $20.00 |
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Lionel 2026 2-6-4 Die-Cast Steam Locomotive Only $10.05 |
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Hallmark 1997 Ornament 1950 Santa Fe F3 Diesel Locomotive Lionel Train Series! $17.99 |
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1998 Hallmark Pennsylvania GG-1 Locomotive Lionel Train $12.00 |
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HALLMARK LIONEL HIAWATHA SET, LOCOMOTIVE & TENDER & OBSERVATION CAR 2004 ORNAMEN $26.99 |
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LIONEL SCARCE 682 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE & PENNSYLVANIA TENDER (C-7 EXCELLENT) $180.00 |
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2010 Hallmark KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN LOCOMOTIVE Lionel 13 Special Repaint Colorway $25.95 |
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Lionel Trains Trans Con limited centennial edition w tiny locomotive,CD and map $9.99 |
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Lionel 1937-42 #700e Hudson Locomotive Service Manual $11.99 |
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VINTAGE O SCALE LIONEL No 1120 LOCOMOTIVE AND TENDER $19.99 |
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vintage lionel STEAM locomotive#8632 caboose and extra cars 1970’s $90.00 |
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Wilton Mini Locomotive Choo-Choo Train Cake Pan Mold (2105-9332, 1993) ~ 6 Cavity ~ Retired Collectible $17.99 Get close-up with your favorite shapes and create all kinds of exciting single-size desserts. Great for cakes, muffins, gelatin and brownies. Crafted of quality aluminum, this bakeware heats evenly and keeps interiors moist while allowing surfaces to gently brown. Lightweight yet durable, it also retains its shape and transfers detailing clearly to the food surface. The pan cleans easily so there’… |
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Wilton Little Locomotive Choo-Choo Train Cake Pan (502-3649, 1983) The contouring of the pan outlines the form and provides a generous backing to hold the cake. Crafted of quality aluminum, this bakeware heats evenly and keeps interiors moist while allowing surfaces to gently brown. Lightweight yet durable, it also retains its shape and transfers detailing clearly to the food surface. When the party is over, the pan cleans easily so there’s less time spent in the… |
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LIONEL CLASSIC LOCOMOTIVES THIS PICTURE TELLS WHY THE MOST POWERFUL LIONEL LOCOMOTIVE HAS BECOME ONE OF AMERICA’S SAFEST COLLECTABLE INVESTMENTS.COUNTERFEITS ARE EXPOSED…. |
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A Hard Day’s Night $12.25 This strikingly original classic captures all the fun excitement and unforgettable music of John Paul George and Ringo at the height of Beatlemania! It’s a wildly irreverent day in the life of the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll band! As they prepare for a big TV appearance the Beatles perform their songs look for adventure… and try in vain to keep Paul’s mischief-making grandfather out of troubl… |
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The Cassandra Crossing $7.29 A train carrying a fatal plague & a 1000 passengers speeds across europe to a deadly fate. Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 03/15/2005 Starring: Burt Lancaster Sophia Loren Run time: 132 minutes Rating: R… |
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A Century of Legendary Lionel Trains $13.31 Avid train collector Tom Snyder narrates a spectacular tribute to a special toy that has thrilled for 5 generations! All the classics are here–Blue Comet, the State Set, Hudsons, F-3s, GG-I’s, Daylights, and more. Remember the little man who threw milk cans out of the milk car? He’s included, along with log loaders, dump cars, cranes, bridges, sleek diesels, puffing steamers, and so much more. … |
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De Atramentis Steam Locomotive Scent Fountain Pen Ink – BLACK Model train enthusiasts, Railroad buffs, and steam engine fans will all want this ink. Listing is for a distinctive glass bottle (about 32 ml or a touch over 1 oz.) of De Atramentis Locomotive Fountain Pen Ink – with a scent of a Steam Locomotive and a Black color. In a fountain pen the ink’s color and performance are important, but De Atramentis has added our sense of smell into the… |
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Wheel/Gear Puller, 1-1/4 $15.25 The screw on this Miniature Wheel/Gear Puller exerts controlled pressure to force tiny wheels, gears and clock hands away from the post without damaging. This tool is absolutely essential for preparing or modifying model railroad rolling stock, clock repair and slot car motor gear removal. The overall height of the screw and post is 1-1/4″, while the post is 7/16″ in diameter. The stationary jaw f… |
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3-D Ultra Lionel Traintown $19.99 Forget your dad’s old electric train set, Lionel TrainTown is here. You’ll have all the fun of workin’ on the railroad without taking up the whole living room floor. Going to work in TrainTown means learning to fuel and drive locomotives, switch tracks, couple freight cars, and even clear a line of wandering reindeer with the click of the mouse. To start, players learn to operate the trains quick… |
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KNG Lionel Train Lamp $74.99 BEAUTIFUL DECORATOR LAMP BASED ON THE DESIGN OF THE POPULAR LIONEL TRAIN PRESS BUTTON TO LISTEN AND WATCH THE LIONEL LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES LIGHT, SOUND, AND MOTION FEATURES THE LIONEL HUDSON 700E LOCOMOTIVE… |
