In The United States, when thinking of model trains one can’t help but think of Lionel, the company that since it’s founding in 1900, made model trains popular with the masses.  Rescued from the brink of bankruptcy and disappearance, today Lionel LLC has brought back quality and innovation in it’s modern line  of Lionel model trains. It’s good to see that an American icon that is a part of many of our childhood memories is able to not only survive now but thrive.

 

Now the corporation has a different structure but that is for the better; the important things like legacy, attention to detail and an original desire to build great model trains for children, adults and collectors remains apart of the modern Lionel corporation.  Model trains haven’t enjoyed the main stream interest they once had but they have not disappeared completely, in fact they are enjoying somewhat of a resurgence of interest.  With more options to play with, especially video games and other electronics, it’s no wonder that children’s interest today in a model train set is not going to be as high as it was in the golden era of model railroading.

 

If you’re like me, as an adult you have plenty of good memories of Lionel model trains in your childhood recollections.  The largest wrapped big box under the Christmas tree on Christmas day in the morning, or finding a new train set up mysteriously set up triggers some great memories for many. Now that many of us with these memories are adults, the fondness for model trains has not gone away. Being an adult with an adult income enables us to realize many of our model train desires that date all the way back to our childhood.

 

After evolving along a rich timeline and history, the modern Lionel model train company is not alone to enjoy the complete market dominance it once held, there are quite a few other mode railroad manufacturers that have garnered a piece of the model trains niche. New innovations are being introduced by model train companies like MTH Railking. With their high level of realism and detail, MTH is pushing the boundaries of modern model railroading. This competition is good for Lionel as they have been able meet the market need for more realism and complexity in response to other competitors. But no matter what other upstart companies come into being, Lionel will always have a special place in the heart of many model train collectors and enthusiast.

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