Lionel toy trains were created before most people had electricity or radios in their homes. It’s safe to say that model railroads catered to the higher income inner city families when they were first introduced to the public because electricity was available to them and they could afford it. As the United States modernized, electricity became available to everyone at a reasonable price.
Lionel - No. 269E O Gauge Freight Train
The sales of house hold goods that used ac power grew and the sale of lionel toy trains also grew, they were probably the first house hold form of entertainment besides the radio to use ac power. As man moved through time and the sales of lionel toy trains improved, they went into mass production and prices dropped. Lower prices made lionel toy trains available to just about everyone.  In the early years of the lionel toy trains, they were more loved and used by adults then by children. In today’s world, lionel toy trains are for children and adults. A simple setup was good for keeping a child occupied during rainy days or on days when it was to cold to go outside and play, they also helped kids learn about railroads and use their imaginations.
For adults, lionel toy trains helped them relax after a hard days work and helped give parents a way to inner act with their kids and communicate better. Model railroading became the countries biggest family hobby. A hobby that is still just as big today. Youngsters that owned lionel toy trains years ago kept them and took care of them well into their adult lives, they’ve become today’s senior hobbyists building massive layouts and turning their early lionel toy trains into priceless collectors items to be handed down from generation to generation of collectors. One of the greatest gifts they were given in their lives was their lionel toy trains.
Lionel - Great Western Train Set with Lincoln Logs O
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