What is a Lionel HO train?
Lionel HO products work with all HO gauge systems. With a track gauge of 16.5 mm and a scale of 1:87, HO is the most common model train size today. Lionel has manufactured HO trains several times in its history. Today, we offer The Polar Express™ locomotive and train cars. Lionel’s HO trains feature:
Are ho trains durable?
HO trains are very durable and are made with high quality parts and pieces to ensure the longevity of the Lionel train brand! Make your Christmas complete with a Lionel HO Train under your tree this year!
What is the difference between HO scale and real train?
HO scale trains are scaled down to a ratio of 1:87 of the real train. This means these model trains are 87 times smaller than the real locomotive trains. Manufacturers of HO scale locomotives attempt to recreate replicas of the real trains, but it isn’t easy to get a perfect representation. This is why some brands are considered better than others.
When did Lionel return to the HO market?
A year ahead of company’s 75th anniversary in 1975, Lionel returned to the HO market. The initial collection of HO trains for 1974 was a limited group of train sets with revised editions of the previously offered Alco FA-1 and GP9 diesels and rolling stock.
What is the scale of a Lionel HO train?
What is Lionel O gauge?
How much does a Lionel train set cost?
How much is a Lionel G gauge train?
What is Lionel Ready to Play?
When did Lionel launch the FlyerChief remote?
What is gauge on a train?
See 4 more
About this website
Did Lionel make HO gauge trains?
Lionel has manufactured HO trains several times in its history. Today, we offer The Polar Express™ locomotive and train cars. Lionel's HO trains feature: Compatible with all HO gauge track.
Who makes Lionel HO trains?
Lionel, LLCTypePrivateProductsModel trainsRevenueUS$62 million (2006)OwnerGuggenheim Partners 80% Neil Young 20%Websitelionel.com6 more rows
When did Lionel make HO trains?
1957Introduced in 1957 and dropped following its appearance in Lionel's 1966 catalog, the 1950s/1960s Lionel releases mark the company's first run at HO model trains. The closest Lionel came prior to 1957 to marketing to the more serious or hobby end of HO was a pre-World War II line of OO-scale (1/76) model trains.
Which is better O scale or HO scale?
O scale is obviously a much larger commitment—HO scale is half the size, and is one of the most popular scales due to its relatively easy entry point. Smaller scales, therefore, can be ideal for beginners, but larger scales allow you to create much more detail and realism in your layouts.
Are Lionel Trains made in China?
The company's O-gauge toy trains are made in China. Some products are shipped to Lionel operations in Virginia for final assembly and painting.
When did Lionel stop making trains in USA?
In 2006, Lionel's electric train became the first electric toy inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame. In 1969, they sold their model train lines to General Mills, but continued to operate until 1993 as a holding company for their toy stores. Its model trains are still in production as a separate company.
Are old Lionel trains worth money?
Pre-war Lionel trains can sell anywhere from twenty dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the rarity of the piece and its condition (among other factors).
What is the most valuable Lionel train?
The first most valuable Lionel train ever sold is a Lionel Standard Gauge Set from 1934, the complete set with 400E Locomotive and State passenger cars sold for … drums, drums $250,000! The auction happened in 2016 and to date it is the most expensive Lionel train ever sold.
What is the most valuable model train?
Worth a staggering £10million (€15million), Miniatur Wunderland in Germany is by far the biggest and most expensive model railway in the world.
What scale is Lionel trains?
approximately 1:48 scaleLionel O-Gauge sets are electric sets that are approximately 1:48 scale and are what most people envision when the think about Lionel. O-Gauge is divided into two categories: Traditional O-Gauge and O Scale.
What is the best model railway company?
The top brands include:Athearn (HO, N scale)Atlas (O, HO and N scale)Arnold (N gauge, owned by Hornby)Bachmann (HO, N and G scale)Lionel (O scale trains).Walthers (N and HO scale)
Can OO gauge run on HO track?
So can OO trains run on HO track? Yes. Recapping on the explanation above, OO and HO gauge railways both have a track width of 16.5mm so the OO train will run on HO track.
What is the best HO train brand?
Top model train brands in the United StatesAthearn (HO, N scale)Atlas (O, HO and N scale)Arnold (N gauge, owned by Hornby)Bachmann (HO, N and G scale)Lionel (O scale trains).Walthers (N and HO scale)
Who makes the most detailed HO trains?
The best brands of HO scale locomotives are Athearn, Walthers, Atlas, Bachmann, KATO, OTOH, Lionel, and Bowser. Athearn's premier locomotive, Genesis, has prototype accuracy, while Atlas and OTOH models have a great fit and finish, while Bowser has great engines.
What company makes model trains?
Overall, the best model train brands are Bachmann, Williams, Lionel, Athearn, Walthers, and Kato. Once you decide on the criteria, including scale, the best model train brands list will include MTH, LGB, Marklin, Atlas, and Piko based on your budget & preferences.
What is the best train manufacturer?
Top 10 Largest Stock Companies and Leading Train Manufacturers in the World 2020RankCompanyCountry1CRRC CorporationChina2Bombardier TransportationCanada3Siemens MobilityGermany4Alstom TransportFrance6 more rows•Jun 10, 2020
Guide to model railroading scales and gauges | ModelRailroader.com
Model Railroader is the world's largest magazine on model trains and model railroad layouts. We feature beginner and advanced help on all model railroading scales, including layout track plans, model railroad product reviews, model train news, and model railroad forums.
Lionel Model Trains: All Train Sets
Order By Phone 800-628-6202 Feb-Sept: Monday-Thursday 9am-6pm & Friday 9am-12pm ET Oct-Jan: Monday-Friday 9am-6pm ET
List of track gauges - Wikipedia
Gauge Country Notes Metric Imperial 89 mm 3 + 1 ⁄ 2 in: See 3 + 1 ⁄ 2 in (89 mm) gauge ridable miniature railways: 121 mm 4 + 3 ⁄ 4 in: See 4 + 3 ⁄ 4 in (121 mm) gauge ridable miniature railways: 127 mm 5 in: See 5 in (127 mm) gauge ridable miniature railways: 184 mm 7 + 1 ⁄ 4 in: See 7 + 1 ⁄ 4 (184 mm) gauge ridable miniature railways: 190.5 mm: 7 + 1 ⁄ 2 in
When did Lionel return to the HO market?
A year ahead of company’s 75th anniversary in 1975 , Lionel returned to the HO market. The initial collection of HO trains for 1974 was a limited group of train sets with revised editions of the previously offered Alco FA-1 and GP9 diesels and rolling stock.
What was Lionel's Rail Scope?
For its Rail Scope of the late 1980s, Lionel mounted a camera in the nose of a locomotive that transmitted silent black & white video via the rails to a small television monitor. For its HO release, Lionel’s Alco FA-1 tooling received modifications and came in a gray-and-black pair of A-units. Rail Scope was also offered in multiple O-gauge versions.
What was the last Lionel catalog?
Lionel’s last catalog of the 1970s promoted 1977 products, and the majority of items in the locomotives and rolling stock section were Kader-made pieces. The GP30 returned to appear on the cover of the 1977 Lionel HO catalog dressed for Conrail, but no examples of this model in any livery appeared inside the publication.
What was the first HO plastic model of GM50?
The prototype Chessie System GM50 was actually a GP40-2. Lionel produced the first HO plastic model of this General Motors EMD 50th Anniversary diesel but employed a first-generation Geep shell. The very toy-like Norfolk & Western tractor and trailer came in a train set offering in the mid-1970s.
When did Athearn start making HO?
The agreement would see only a year of cooperation between the two companies, and Athearn started producing HO for Lionel in 1958. Lionel purchased tooling from John English’s HObbyline and used those models as the basis for its HO products during the 1960s.
What was Lionel's first DCC?
Those early 21st Century models included die-cast metal bodies and came equipped with QSI’s Quantum Sound systems — Lionel’s first Digital Command Control (DCC) offerings. The intriguing models, obviously aimed at the collector and high-end sector of HO hobbyists, were a long way away from select past offerings that included the fanciful Rectifier electric locomotive.
When did Lionel train become a major change?
At the start of the 1970s, a major change came to Lionel trains. General Mills acquired rights to manufacture and market Lionel’s trains in 1969. The 1970s saw Lionel O-gauge trains sold as part of General Mills’ Fundimensions Group.
How wide is the horseshoe curve?
If laid out in O scale to an accurate dimension, a model of the curve would be about 33 feet wide.
What curves do you need to run a locomotive?
If you want to run models of larger, scale length equipment and large locomotives then you may need to use O-48 or even O-60 curves or more . As a general rule, it is a good idea to use the largest curves possible in the space you have available.
Which Are the Best Brands of HO Scale Locomotives?
HO scale trains are scaled down to a ratio of 1:87 of the real train. This means these model trains are 87 times smaller than the real locomotive trains. Manufacturers of HO scale locomotives attempt to recreate replicas of the real trains, but it isn’t easy to get a perfect representation. This is why some brands are considered better than others.
How To Choose the Best HO Scale Locomotive Maker
Most hobbyists and model train enthusiasts consider the authenticity of the HO Scale locomotive. The details on the train are illustrative of how far some makers go to make prototypes that are replicas of the same trains.
Qualities of the Best HO Scale Locomotive
While some people pick train sets based on price, HO scale train collectors are more specific when searching for the best locomotive.
Top HO Scale Locomotives From Popular Brands
As a scale, HO is the most popular of all train models, but some trains are in higher demand than others. Interestingly, HO scale train models are favored by the young and the old. Interestingly, hobbyists actively buying model railroaders are in their 50s and 60s.
Why Is HO Scale Very Popular?
HO scale train sets are very popular when compared to all the scales. These trains have been in the market since the mid-1930s. Their popularity grew in the 1940s when people started living in smaller apartments.
Importance of the Motor in HO Scale Locomotives
While the physical appearance of an HO scale locomotive is important, hobbyists often focus on the motor, which has two main attributes; speed and torque.
DC vs. DCC Model Trains
When buying HO scale models, you will discover some use the DC system while others use the DCC system. DC and DCC systems are methods of supplying electricity to the train set or railway. DC is the traditional way, and the trains that use this system are often referred to as analog.
What is the scale of a Lionel HO train?
Lionel HO products work with all HO gauge systems. With a track gauge of 16.5 mm and a scale of 1:87, HO is the most common model train size today. Lionel has manufactured HO trains several times in its history. Today, we offer The Polar Express™ locomotive and train cars. Lionel’s HO trains feature:
What is Lionel O gauge?
Lionel O-Gauge track systems- which include O, O-27, and FasTrack® - all measure 1-¼” between the outer rails. Any O-Gauge car or locomotive can ride on Lionel O-Gauge track, as long as the curve track used on your layout can accommodate your particular cars (see Minimum Curve section – this text should link to a modal of Gauge size). Lionel O-Gauge sets are electric sets that are approximately 1:48 scale and are what most people envision when the think about Lionel. O-Gauge is divided into two categories: Traditional O-Gauge and O Scale.
How much does a Lionel train set cost?
These sets usually retail for around $49.99 and include a complete layout of track with a detailed train, rolling stock and a functioning accessory that works with the set. See More
How much is a Lionel G gauge train?
These sets are highly detailed and perfect for children 4 and up. These sets run with a simple remote control that allows the train to go forward or backward as well as enable whistle and bell sounds. G-Gauge sets usually retail around $139.95 to $164.95 and make a great starter set or gift for any family. See More
What is Lionel Ready to Play?
Lionel Ready-to-Play is a large sized train that's made to be affordable and easy-to-use for both kids and adults a like. The locomotives are battery-powered and made of durable plastic. They're controlled with a simple handheld remote control and run on easy-to-connect plastic track. If you're looking for something that's affordable and you prefer the easy-to-handle large size, a battery-powered Ready-to-Play set is a good choice for your family. See More
When did Lionel launch the FlyerChief remote?
Lionel launched a new remote system for engines in 2015 under the FlyerChief™ umbrella. These are new sets with enhanced sound, long distance controls, AC/DC Compatible and are easy to set-up and operate
What is gauge on a train?
What Is Gauge? On the real railroads as well as toy trains, Gauge refers to the distance between the outside rails of the track. Lionel offers four distinct product lines: Imagineering, G-Gauge (also known as Garden Gauge), S-Gauge and O-Gauge.
