The Lionel Model Train Bankrupt?
One of the great aspects of the internet is that research can really drive you deep into the rabbits hole! Rabbit holes and Lionel trains, what do they have in common? Nothing really, except the fact that a Christmas story meets the rabbit hole.
Maybe that’s a stretch!
I was doing some research on the Lionel Model Train and ran across an article by Ryan Baldwin entitled Who Killed The Lionel Train and it raised some interesting thoughts as well as bringing up some notable memories.
Lionel trains is over 100 years old and has a fascinating history riddled with various partnerships, experiencing great success and at times hanging on by their finger nails while finally culminating in a recent bankruptcy. Mr Baldwin wonders “who killed the Lionel Train?”
Lionel Model Train Original
My memories of the Lionel Model Train reach back to the late 50’s and early 60’s and I was probably between 6 and 12 years old. Every Christmas the old, blackened, heavy Lionel locomotive and Lionel cars were set up in an oval around the Christmas tree. Unlike Mr. Baldwin, we didn’t have an elaborate set up, just tracks laid down on the thick carpet. The old transformer consumed electricity and had a electrical burning smell with a fingerprint belonging only to an old train transformer. The tracks pinched our fingers, I remember little shocks from the transformer and I remember an orange or red controller lever. Yes…just as my DNA is a fingerprint of who I am, those lionel train memories will live forever in my brain.
Ryan Baldwin’s article contrasts the old model trains of yesterday with the digital toys of today. He insinuates that it’s impossible to compare an old train to a Nintendo wii and that today’s children would have no use for the old black Lionel train, further claiming they’d be bored to death.
It’s probably true….but such a pity!
The one faculty that we have, as humans, our imagination has largely gone to the wind. Our youth will surely suffer for that. LCD screens projecting digital images which are controlled by buttons attached to fingers mesmerizes more than motivates and encourages the development and use of our imaginations. I wonder exactly how that will affect our youth as they grow up and consequently our culture.
See what I mean when I say the rabbit hole is deep!
However, all is not lost. Lionel Trains has pulled out of their bankruptcy and once again producing the quality model trains and model train accessories. You can purchase new Lionel Trains or you can jump over to ebay and discover a whole new world used Lionel trains and Lionel train accessories. Model train enthusiasts have perfected the fine art of renovating older Lionel trains. You’ll be amazed at some of the auctions for old Lionel locomotives and quickly discover that Lionel trains and Lionel train sets have become collector items……some are for big bucks.
Mother never let us forget what a bad move it was to trade our old Lionel locomotive train set for a new spiffy ho scale model train. It’s been 50 years since we made that trade and Mom will rant on for a couple minutes….brings back so many memories. I wonder what kind of memories Nintendo will bring back.
I don’t know how old Ryan Baldwin is but he does mention that he was exposed to model trains in his childhood, in fact, his father’s Lionel Layout was featured in a model train magazine. He mentions his affinity for things digital, Guitar Hero and Rock Band making mention of Neil Young as if he were some sort of dinosaur! To that I say, I’m in my early 50’s and ear plugs go in with the sound of Neil Young but Guitar Hero and Rock Band are a little more than I can handle 
The thought of scale model trains never crossed my mind until I became a father. Twenty-five years after my childhood experience with a Lionel Train I began to search for a train for my young boys. We ended up with a LGB train set which I’m sure when the time comes will cause my boys to recall their youth, the big train and all the fun they had.
So Ryan, there’s hope for you my friend….maybe someday the issues of your life will come together and you’ll once again seek the perfect Lionel train layout!
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