With so many books available at your local hobby shop, (We entered more than
120 into this list with our first compilation) weeding out the useful ones from
the duds can be a daunting task. It is our hope that you will be able
to use this area to find the types of information that your interested in.
While your at it, why not take a minute and tell us what you think of some of
the publications that you have read. The submission form is simple and
quick, and no matter what your skill level is, your opinions matter.
All Aboard : The Story of Joshua
Lionel Cowen & His Lionel Train Company
By Ron Hollander / Workman
Publishing / October 2000
This year the Lionel
Train Company celebrates its 100th anniversary, and to commemorate the milestone
comes a an updated second edition of ALL ABOARD!, the marvelous story of Joshua
Lionel Cowen and the toy trains he created. Originally published in 1981, ALL
ABOARD! brings back the classic electric trains for all those who remember them.
The Santa Fe came in gleaming silver and shiny red. The New York Central was
gray and white. World War I models carried seige guns, a 1957 engine came in
pink for girls. There were Pullmans and steam locomotives, Lehigh Valley coal
cars, lumber cars, and a design from 1964 that carried radioactive waste and the
Mercury capsule. A&E Network named Lionel trains a "Top Ten Toy" of the
century-#4 specifically.
But the story of Lionel trains is far from over. Co-owned by rock star Neil
Young, who bought the company because of his autistic son's love for the trains,
the Lionel Train Company is stronger than ever, and is evolving with the times
by employing remote control, sound chips, and other technical innovations. With
32 all-new pages and scores of colorful illustrations from the archives of
Lionel catalogs, ALL ABOARD! is the definitive collector's book on the subject.
Excellent
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The Art of Lionel Trains: Toy Trains
and American Dreams
By Roger Carp / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / October 1, 2003
When it came to
electric trains, no retail catalog could match the excitement generated by the
latest Lionel catalog. Lionel's staff artists created images of shining
streamliners racing across the Great Plains to the West Coast and smoking steam
engines heroically dragging mile-long strings of freight cars from one city to
another. The wonder of it all is that these amazing train renderings, though
incredibly realistic, were still identifiable as toys. The Art of Lionel Trains
features the grandest examples of Lionel catalog and advertising art along with
captivating text on how the artwork reflected the culture and values of the
times. It's a fascinating story, a delightful trip down memory lane, and a
wonderfully colorful look at America's premier toy train manufacturer. The
perfect reference for nostalgia buffs, antique lovers, and toy train fans
everywhere!
Excellent
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By Ray L. Plummer
/
Kalmbach
Publishing Company / July 1, 1997
Teaches how to get old
Lionel trains running again! Shows how to repair and maintain Lionel O gauge
trains built from the turn of the century through the 1970s. Gives detailed
explanations with photos and diagrams illustrating easy repair, lubrication, and
maintenance tips and techniques.
Excellent
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By Roger Carp / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / January 1, 2000
Operators and
collectors will appreciate the value and history captured in this book.
Build your own historic Lionel postwar layout using the original display layout
diagrams! Classic, small layouts are featured with parts lists, descriptions,
wiring diagrams, and more. Now you can own a rare piece of Lionel history, too.
Excellent - 100% (1) Good - 0% (0)
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By Gerry Souter, Janet Souter
/ Motorbooks International / April 2002
From 1900 through the late-1950s, Lionel
went from a wooden cheese box on wheels to expensive toy trains that flew
off shelves at the height of the Great Depression to one of the world's
most recognizable brand names. In the 1960s, the company found itself in a
fight for its life; only a buyout from General Mills would save the name
from relegation to the dust heap of time. While more than 80 modern color
photographs help break Lionel's "classic" rags-to-riches-to-rags period
into five distinct eras, a fascinating history examines the design and
marketing of the company's most significant-and dubious-products while
placing them in the context of contemporary competition, real-life
railroads, and world affairs. No gauge-Standard, O, OO, O-27, or HO-is
overlooked as readers learn how Lionel took control of a competitive
market with innovative products and founder Joshua Lionel Cowen's crafty
business decisions. Focus is on Lionel locomotives like the 1903
stamped-tin Electric Express, the sublime 1937 diecast Hudsons, and the
famous Santa Fe F3 diesels, but attention is also given to notable rolling
stock like the animated Poultry Dispatch Car and historic sets like the
Blue Comet and the pastel-hued Lady Lionel.
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This text provides all
schematic and wiring diagrams, a description of each item, and repair and
operating instructions. Additional pages are included from the Lionel
instruction sheets which accompany engines, operating cars and accessories. This
permanently bound, hardcover book is a library edition designed for a lifetime
of use.
Excellent
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Getting Started With Lionel Trains:
Your Introduction to Model Railroading Fun
By Allan W. Miller / Krause
Publications / October 2001
Lionel® Electric
Trains have been America's favorite for more than a century. This
information-packed guide helps train lovers of all ages gain the most enjoyment
from their new Lionel® train set by taking them step-by-step through the process
of selecting, setting-up, operating and maintaining their trains and
accessories. Easy-to-follow instructions describe how to wire and control a
Lionel layout with conventional transformers and with their innovative
TrainMaster Command Control System®. The c onstruction of a complete Lionel
layout is detailed in text and photographs. Covering everything from their new
action accessories to the current version of the renowned ZW transformer, this
book explains Lionel railroading in the clear and simple terms needed for a
fun-filled entry into the hobby.
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By George J. Horan, Vincent Rosa / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / February 1, 1993
Surveys Lionel's prewar accessory
production with value listings, photos, and product descriptions. The most
complete record available of Lionel’s innovative accessory line. 8 1/2 x
11; 160 pgs.; 54 B&W photos; 90 color photos
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Greenberg's Wiring
Your Lionel Layout: A Primer for Lionel Train Enthusiasts
By Peter H.
Riddle / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / December 1, 1991
Shows how to wire a
basic Lionel layout. Explains standard electrical principles and recommends
tools and supplies. Includes detailed photos and diagrams for powering track,
operating accessories, and troubleshooting circuits.
Excellent
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By Stanley W.
Trzonlec / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / April 1, 1994
Offers a step-by-step
approach to designing and constructing a 4 x 8 foot Lionel layout. Includes tips
and techniques on supplies, track planning, wiring, scenery, and operating
accessories.
Excellent
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By Joe Algozzini, Roger Carp, Bob
Jacobson / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / October 1996
Presents an up-close
look at the colorful rocket launchers, exploding boxcars, and satellite cars
created during the space-race years. Includes photos, product descriptions,
production versions, and rarity levels. Volume II of the Toy Train Reference
series.
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By Robert Schleicher / Motorbooks
International / September 2003
This addition to MBI's
successful "toy train" installments in the Enthusiast Color Series examines how
Lionel for the last 25 years has weathered increased competition, survived
numerous ownership changes, adopted improved production techniques, and utilized
computer technology to remain an American icon. From the auspices of cereal
giant General Mills, to the sometimes criticized but always pragmatic ownership
of Richard Kughn, and finally on to the formation of Lionel LLC, the last
quarter-century of Lionel's business and products are examined in detail.
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