 | |||
 |  |  |
 |  |
 |  | ||
 |  | ||
 |  | ||
| |||
|
| | |
| |
| | ||
| | ||
| | ||
Written by Paul D. Race for
 and  |
Lionel Trains are on the Upswing! When we started adding Lionel trains to our buyer's guide in 2004, only a handful of sets were generally available. In fact, adding trains to this page often caused the suppliers we linked to to sell out in a matter of days, and we got used to spending much of the time between Thanksgiving and December 15 tracking down new suppliers to link to. (After December 15, sorry - all bets are off.)
Support from folks like us, combined with Lionel's introduction of the best-selling Polar Express train have caused Lionel's "stock to rise" among train lovers of all ages. Today Lionel is selling more kinds of train sets with more road names and more different locomotives than they have in decades, including the Berkshire locomotive they reintroduced in the Polar Express set and the realistic-looking, solid 0-8-0 they are now including in several sets listed on this page.
In addition, lots of folks who bought their first Lionel set to go around their Christmas trains are finding other uses for them, including Christmas villages and year-round O27 railroads a lot like the O gauge railroads our grandparents used to build. These trains are great for all these purposes. (Of course Lionel also offers trains decorated specifically for Christmas, if you are primarily interested in a Christmas display.)
Whatever you want to do with your trains, we're here to help, with information, tough questions, and help finding hard-to-find sets. Please contact us early if you have any questions, though - we do get swamped with orders by mid-November and stay that way until about Valentines' day.
Note about Availability and Pricing: Although I try to keep an eye on things and to recommend products that are reasonably available, the model train market does fluctuate, and any product on this page may change price or become unavailable without prior notice.
October, 2009 Update: Not one, but four of the trains we advertised here in late 2008 have become unavailable and a couple are "hanging by a thread." The good news is that Lionel has rolled out an unusual number of new models this year, so we have added several trains, including trains with a new 0-8-0 locomotive that is a very nice addition to any Lionel railroad or collection you already have.
On the other hand, only one batch each of these new trains will probably reach the stores before Christmas, so if you want any of these particular trains around you tree by mid-December, consider ordering now, while there's still a good selection.
For more detailed information about why model train products seem to come and go and why we have stopped listing prices on our "buyer's guide," please see the article "About Pricing and Availability."
Note about Suppliers: While we try to help you get the trains and other products you want by recommending suppliers with a good record of customer service, all transactions between you and the supplier you chose to provide your trains are governed by the published policies on the supplier's web site. So please print off any order confirmation screens and save copies of invoices, etc., so you can contact the appropriate supplier should any problems occur. (They almost never do, but you want to be on the safe side.)
 |
| Lionel Santa Fe Super Freight - Every couple of years, Lionel introduces a "Super Freight" train, using the best steam locomotive they ever put into a set, and putting in at least three freight cars, plus a caboose. This set includes a heavy, die-cast 2-8-4 Berkshire Steam Locomotive and Tender, similar to those used in Lionel's Polar Express set. This model include RailSounds, which allow you to program whistles, bells, and even crew conversations, as well as choo-choo sounds that speed up when the train speeds up. It even includes Lionel's Trainmaster Command Control for fancy operations on large O gauge railroads. The Berkshire pulls a Boxcar, Tank Car, Hopper, and Caboose. Enough track is included to make a 38"x58" circle.
|
 |
| Always a Classic! Santa Fe El Capitan with TrainSounds - For this train, Lionel reintroduces the classic FT Santa Fe diesel locomotive, complete with the classic "Warbonnet" paint job and the realistic sounds of Lionel's exclusive TrainSounds sound system. Three illuminated, streamlined passenger cars follow the westbound locomotive. With the CW-80 Transformer and a loop of FasTrack track, you are ready to run one of the Santa Fe's best known passenger trains. A how-to instructional DVD for setting this train up is also included. The sound system alone has too many features to list, but it includes realistic sounds of the diesel engine, horn, bell, squealing brakes, and even crew conversations. Other features include operating headlight, operating couplers front and back, dual motors, traction tires, die-cast metal trucks, pilot, and fuel tank, and engineer and fireman figures. The individually-boxed passenger cars include die-cast metal trucks, operating couplers, authentically detailed interiors, flexible diaphragms between cars, and opening doors. The total length of the train is 52.5". You also receive enough track to make a 40"x60" oval.
Note: Although this is a very nice train, we are anxious about keeping the El Capitan on our buyer's guide, as stocks around the country get very low each Christmas season. Fortunately, Lionel got a new shipment of these in mid-2009. Still, if you're interested in owning a classic, don't wait too long.
|
 |
| The Lionel(r) New York Central Flyer Train Set with RailSounds - The tough die-cast metal locomotive equipped with the RailSounds sound system brings the Flyer to life with steam chuffing, whistle blowing and more. This set includes a 4-4-2 steam locomotive and tender, boxcar, flatcar with stakes and bulkheads, caboose, CW-80 Transformer, smoke fluid, "How-to" instructional video and more. There is enough track to make a 40"x60" oval.
Lionel introduced this train in 2003, and it mostly sold out by late 2005, so we took it out of our catalog. Then they made another run, so we are able to relist it again for 2008. Now stocks are getting thin again. In October, 2009, Amazon replaced this train in their listings with a different train in a Western theme, and I had to scrounge to find a vendor that has this one in stock. In other words, don't wait too long.
Some vendors have replaced this train with a western version.
|
 | |
| The Lionel(r) Pennsylvania Flyer Train Set - This train features a rugged die-cast Lionel Atlantic locomotive with working headlight, operating smoke unit, and whistle. The set includes two freight cars, a large FasTrack layout, and the powerful CW-80 Transformer.
Note for 2009: This train has been so popular that it has spawned not one, but two other versions (shown below). That said, the version with the Atlantic (4-4-2) engine shown above will not be reissued for some years and it's certain that some vendors will sell out before Christmas. So if you like this version, consider placing your order soon.
Limited Edition! The Lionel(r) Pennsylvania Flyer 50th Anniversary Train Set  This version of the Pennsylvania Flyer includes all the features of the set above with a fancier paint job on the locomotive. It was issued in smaller quantities, so if you like the look, don't wait too long. Check stock by clicking on a supplier button to the right. New! The 2009 Lionel(r) Pennsylvania Flyer Train Set  New for 2009! Lionel also offers this set with an 0-8-0 "road switcher" locomotive that is based on the locomotives use in very large freight yards and very congested industrial districts of the mid-20th century. These locomotives needed to be able to pull a train as long as any freight train, and they had to be able to do it backwards. So if you don't have an 0-8-0 in your collection yet, this set could make a nice addition.
New for 2009 The Lionel(r) Santa Fe 0-8-0 Freight Set  Lionel also offers a Santa Fe set with the same 0-8-0 "road switcher" locomotive described above. Ironically, as of October 28, 2009, the Amazon page that lists it shows a photo of an HO diesel set. I've uploaded the correct photo as a "Customer Image." So if you click through to the Amazon page (currently the only supplier I have found), click on the little steam train image to see the right photo.
| |
 Still the Best! - Thomas the Tank Engine Set Lionel's O Gauge Thomas set is a solid starter set with many of the features of their more "realistic" trains. As of October, 2009, it is the only track-powered Thomas set in production that makes sense to let kids play with. No, you can't give it to your five-year-old in a box and hope for good (or even safe) results. But once you have put it together, your kids will get a lot of play value out of it. Thomas's eyes move as he goes around the track, pulling Annie and Clarabel. Two Railway Workers and Sir Tophman Hat are included, as well as enough of the new, more attractive FasTrack track system to make a 40" x 60" oval, and the CW-80 transformer for more power.
| |
 Expand the Fun - Thomas the Tank Expansion Set More cars and more track. Increase the size of your railroad, and give Thomas or James (below) more choices to pull. This set includes:
  Click on a "check stock" button for pricing and availability information.  Give Thomas Some Company! - James the Red Engine Like Thomas (above), James's eyes go back and forth. He also has three different expressions. Buy James to add to your Thomas and Friends set, or to pull the expansion set above.
Click on a "check stock" button for pricing and availability information. |
| Expand Your Empire With More Track. Most of the trains on this page come with Lionel's new "FasTrack," which looks better and goes together easier than traditional O-27 track. To give your train a little more room to run, consider adding a few pieces. This 10-inch Straight Track Section is the same as the pieces that come with the all of the sets on this page. Please click on the button to check price and availability.
| 
|
|
|
| Lionel FasTrack Railer - The Railer is used to help you and your family easily roll your locomotives and rolling stock onto the tracks. No more fiddling with the wheels to get them on correctly. Instead, you set this on top of the track temporarily and "feed" each car through it to get it onto the track. Great for kids who are just learning about trains. This product works with all the train sets on this page. |
|
Other Pages You May Find Helpful
|
 And Now For Something Completely Different! The Genuine Lionel Store Display Diorama Okay, this is over-the-top by our usual budget-conscious standards, but you have to admit it is fun to look at. I came across it while I was trying to track down some other Lionel train sets, and I just had to include it here. This is a hand-finished 4'x8' display railroad inspired by the Lionel train window displays of the 1950s. It is configured by Lionel's own exhibit and display builder exclusively for Hammacher Schlemmer and professionally installed in your home. What does it cost? Let's just say that I know folks who have paid more for a pool table or rare arcade game. :-) Well, one person . . .
The catalog description says: The set includes 36' of O-gauge track and a Lionel New York Central Flyer locomotive (includes three passenger cars and three cars of rolling stock, plus a caboose). The track winds a figure-8 through a landscape of realistically detailed scenery, beginning with the station platform. After crossing the 90º crossover and passing beneath the yard house, it gently curves around four buildings, passing pine and deciduous trees, textured grass and scrub. It passes a water tower and enters the tunnel cut into a 20" tall resin mountain, coming out on the other side where it completes the loop at Stella's Diner. The track includes five remote track switches and two grade crossings (one with flashing lights and bell sounds). The 80-watt transformer plugs into AC. Ages 14 and up. White glove delivery and set-up included! Table 96" L x 48" W x 56" H. (250 lbs.)
|
|
|
| |
 |
 |  |  |
Note: Family Garden Trains(tm) and Big Christmas Trains(tm) are trademarks of Breakthrough Communications (www.btcomm.com). All information, data, text, and illustrations on this web site are
Copyright (c) 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 by Paul D. Race.
Reuse or republication without prior written permission is specifically
forbidden.
For more information, please contact me
Note for October, 2009 - The current "Super Freight" train is almost out of stock and at the moment there is no replacement in the stores for 2009, so if you like the looks of this set, please order soon.
Click a check Stock button to see if this train is still available.
Please click a button to check price and availability.
Lionel FasTrack Curves A set of four curved pieces, along with a few more straight pieces, will give you many more choices of how to set up your railroad. These are what Lionel calls O-36 curves, the same curves that come with all of the sets on this page. Please click on a supplier button to check price and availability.
"O Gauge Christmas Trains
"Tribute to Tinplate" Project Articles