page_title: Lionel Corporation
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Lionel Corporation / History
caption_attribution_description: A Lionel model locomotive, on display at the California State Railroad Museum. Photo by Jim Heaphy.
context_page_description: Lionel Corporation was an American toy manufacturer and holding company of retailers that has been in business for over 120 years. It was founded as an electrical novelties company, Lionel specialized in various products throughout its existence. Toy trains and model railroads were its main claim to fame. Lionel also produced the diecast cars for NASCAR. Lionel trains have been produced since 1900, and their trains drew admiration from model railroaders around the world for the solidity of their construction and the authenticity of their detail. During its peak years in the 1950s, the company sold $25 million worth of trains per year. In 2006, Lionel's electric train became the first electric toy inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame. Its model trains are still in production as a separate company.
context_section_description: The original Lionel Corporation was founded in 1900 by Joshua Lionel Cowen and Harry C. Grant in New York City. The company's devotees disagree over the date of incorporation, as the official paperwork gives a date of September 5, but the paperwork was not filed until September 22, more than two weeks later. Initially, the company specialized in electrical novelties, such as fans and lighting devices.
caption: Lionel No. 6 Special Locomotive, 1908-1909
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