Sets

The backbone of Lionel train production were it's boxed sets. These sets -- or outfits as referred to by Lionel -- were usually a persons first introduction to a Lionel train. Over the years, the collectability of a complete, boxed set has dramatically increased within the collector market.

As the old adage goes "first impressions are lasting impressions". At Lionel, this was well known by the marketing and sales teams. Therefore, Lionel compiled sets with simplicity and completeness in mind. It was usually nothing more than a few minutes for a boy and his dad to assemble a set and be transformed to the engineer of their railroad empire -- even if it was only under a Christmas tree.

Click on any of the entries in the chart listed below. You'll be presented with a summary of the components for on the specific set. Every listing contains specific product data with a brief history of the item and at least one photo. Whether doing some serious reseach on model trains or simply taking a stroll down memory lane, take your time as you absorb the pages that follow. Some of you will view the exact trains you had while growing up, some will recognize the trains your parents had, others will discover startling facts about the glory years of a company that has become a piece of Americana.