Deciding Which Lionel Trains I Should Collect
The choices in Lionel trains are bewildering.
Since it makes a great deal of sense to buy used Lionel equipment as well as new, there are three time periods to choose from and literally thousands of choices which could be made.
I believe there are three general rules for your selection of Lionel trains, as follows: #1: Purchase the trains which appeal the most to you.
This isn't as evident as it may sound.
You'll be barraged by advice to buy a certain piece because it will have great collector value as an investment.
That may be all well and good, but what if you simply can't work up an appreciation for the piece? Two examples should suffice.
In 1977 Lionel began its production of the Mickey Mouse Disney set, which included a U36B locomotive, caboose, and 13 Hi-Cube style boxcars.
This set is highly prized and very valuable today.
I never cared much for it because I think the set has a cheap look, but some of my friends go crazy over it when they find it.
I really like and own the Blue Comet passenger set and locomotive produced in the late 1970s, but some of my friends think the two-tone blue color scheme is too gaudy.
Since you have to live with your trains, purchase the ones which really appeal to you.
I think it's a mistake to acquire a particular piece just for its collector value.
Its aesthetics are important, too.
#2: At the outset, put as much money as you can into the locomotive and the transformer, even at the expense of other components.
This is more than just a matter of finances; it's also a matter of common sense.
The transformer you choose at the outset should be capable of more than just running the train.
It should also be capable of running accessories and have enough power for expansion of your layout.
Otherwise, you'll just have to trade in your little transformer for a bigger one later.
You may even want to get a transformer which can run at least two trains right from the outset, even if you don't use the full capacity of the transformer until later.
This is also a powerful argument against buying a ready-made train set such as you see at toy stores.
Although there are many fine sets available, I believe that it makes more sense to build your own set out of both older and newer components.
As for the locomotives, it stands to reason that you'll want an engine with the best features you can get.
Most people want their steam engines to have smoke and a whistle, and the diesels should have the best motors you can secure.
There's a practical reason to get a better locomotive right from the start, too.
Most of Lionel's older, less expensive locomotives have two-position reversing units.
This means that there is no neutral position; the locomotive will only go in forward or reverse.
That places some severe limitations on operations, since you'll want to have power in your track and your locomotives.
standing still so that you can operate some special cars such as the operating milk and cattle cars.
If at all possible, make sure that your locomotive has a three-position reversing unit which includes a neutral position.
#3: At the outset, concentrate upon acquiring quantity rather than scarcity until you are familiar with the toy train marketplace.
Every collector and operator - this author included - has been "stung" by poor choices in the marketplace.
Sometimes that's due to just plain carelessness.
Recently, I came across a big 2555 Single-dome Tank Car produced from 1946-1950.
The car was in its original box with its protective liner, and all the decals were perfectly intact - unusual for this car.
I bought it at a decent, but not spectacularly bargain price.
When I took a second look, I saw that the plastic top dome piece was broken and one of the ladders was missing! Since I knew this particular dealer, I felt fairly sure he didn't know about the damage, either.
I decided to use a "junker" tank car to replace the dome and ladder instead of returning the piece.
The best way to avoid problems with purchases of rolling stock and accessories at the outset is to concentrate at the lower end of the market first, to build up familiarity with what is scarce and what is common.
Once you have acquired a supply of the common but attractive pieces, you can then use your knowledge to acquire higher-quality and scarcer pieces intelligently.
At the beginning, buy locomotives and rolling stock which you believe look and run well.
Get familiar with their operating characteristics and gradually shift your focus to other parts of the marketplace, as your budget dictates.
I have never had a huge budget to work with, but I believe I have done very well with my own collection by following just this procedure.
Since it makes a great deal of sense to buy used Lionel equipment as well as new, there are three time periods to choose from and literally thousands of choices which could be made.
I believe there are three general rules for your selection of Lionel trains, as follows: #1: Purchase the trains which appeal the most to you.
This isn't as evident as it may sound.
You'll be barraged by advice to buy a certain piece because it will have great collector value as an investment.
That may be all well and good, but what if you simply can't work up an appreciation for the piece? Two examples should suffice.
In 1977 Lionel began its production of the Mickey Mouse Disney set, which included a U36B locomotive, caboose, and 13 Hi-Cube style boxcars.
This set is highly prized and very valuable today.
I never cared much for it because I think the set has a cheap look, but some of my friends go crazy over it when they find it.
I really like and own the Blue Comet passenger set and locomotive produced in the late 1970s, but some of my friends think the two-tone blue color scheme is too gaudy.
Since you have to live with your trains, purchase the ones which really appeal to you.
I think it's a mistake to acquire a particular piece just for its collector value.
Its aesthetics are important, too.
#2: At the outset, put as much money as you can into the locomotive and the transformer, even at the expense of other components.
This is more than just a matter of finances; it's also a matter of common sense.
The transformer you choose at the outset should be capable of more than just running the train.
It should also be capable of running accessories and have enough power for expansion of your layout.
Otherwise, you'll just have to trade in your little transformer for a bigger one later.
You may even want to get a transformer which can run at least two trains right from the outset, even if you don't use the full capacity of the transformer until later.
This is also a powerful argument against buying a ready-made train set such as you see at toy stores.
Although there are many fine sets available, I believe that it makes more sense to build your own set out of both older and newer components.
As for the locomotives, it stands to reason that you'll want an engine with the best features you can get.
Most people want their steam engines to have smoke and a whistle, and the diesels should have the best motors you can secure.
There's a practical reason to get a better locomotive right from the start, too.
Most of Lionel's older, less expensive locomotives have two-position reversing units.
This means that there is no neutral position; the locomotive will only go in forward or reverse.
That places some severe limitations on operations, since you'll want to have power in your track and your locomotives.
standing still so that you can operate some special cars such as the operating milk and cattle cars.
If at all possible, make sure that your locomotive has a three-position reversing unit which includes a neutral position.
#3: At the outset, concentrate upon acquiring quantity rather than scarcity until you are familiar with the toy train marketplace.
Every collector and operator - this author included - has been "stung" by poor choices in the marketplace.
Sometimes that's due to just plain carelessness.
Recently, I came across a big 2555 Single-dome Tank Car produced from 1946-1950.
The car was in its original box with its protective liner, and all the decals were perfectly intact - unusual for this car.
I bought it at a decent, but not spectacularly bargain price.
When I took a second look, I saw that the plastic top dome piece was broken and one of the ladders was missing! Since I knew this particular dealer, I felt fairly sure he didn't know about the damage, either.
I decided to use a "junker" tank car to replace the dome and ladder instead of returning the piece.
The best way to avoid problems with purchases of rolling stock and accessories at the outset is to concentrate at the lower end of the market first, to build up familiarity with what is scarce and what is common.
Once you have acquired a supply of the common but attractive pieces, you can then use your knowledge to acquire higher-quality and scarcer pieces intelligently.
At the beginning, buy locomotives and rolling stock which you believe look and run well.
Get familiar with their operating characteristics and gradually shift your focus to other parts of the marketplace, as your budget dictates.
I have never had a huge budget to work with, but I believe I have done very well with my own collection by following just this procedure.
