Lionel: A Century of Classic Toy Trains
by Dan Ponzol, Bill Nilnc
Category: Antiques & Collectibles

Celebrate one of the most beloved toys of the 20th-century - the timeless Lionel train. Other playthings have left their mark on the pages of American history and some still evoke a misty-eyed nostalgia, but no toy has had as dramatic an impact as these miniature cars, tracks, and accessories. For a full century, their magic has made children wide-eyed with joy at Christmas, inspired collectors of all ages, and launched a thousand dreams. Enjoy the history of Lionel's rise to greatness in a splendid oversize tribute, featuring larger-than-life, breathtaking images of perfectly preserved trains from every era, including some of the most famous and rare models, as well as reproductions of legendary catalogs and ads. A wealth of enlightening detail about individual pieces puts them in their proper place in the total Lionel output, from the first electrical devices invented by turn-of-the-century engineer (and company founder) Joshua Lionel Cowen to the technical marvels produced today. The legend continues to grow, as new generations find happiness playing with ever-more detailed and innovative models.