| When Lionel Cowen designed the first model train | | | | models offer the finest and most realistic details |
| he meant for it to be a marketing tool to gain | | | | to be found. |
| attention for real trains. Instead, this train inspired | | | | For example, one of the earliest of these train |
| the creativity of thousands of railroad enthusiasts | | | | sets had an actual outhouse with the half moon |
| that while, they could not afford to own a real | | | | cut into the door, just like many outhouses of |
| working railroad, imagined themselves as owners, | | | | olden days, this outhouse, even looked as though |
| operators and conductors of their own miniature | | | | it was made from aged scrap lumber. Somehow, |
| railroads. What started out as purchasing a simple | | | | this company was able to take a small somewhat |
| Lionel Model Train, became for many a life long | | | | insignificant piece of American history and with its |
| hobby. | | | | fine detail, bring to life a part of early rural |
| Throughout the years enthusiasm for model | | | | America. |
| railroad building has surged and waned but has | | | | Today that fine detail in these miniature railroad |
| never completely died out. Other companies | | | | products are even better than ever before if |
| seeing the success of these toys would soon | | | | such a thing is indeed possible. It is this detail that |
| jump on the band wagon offering their own | | | | makes these models remain the leader generation |
| competing versions of these miniature railroads. | | | | after generation. |
| Some of these companies succeeded and others | | | | Many serious train hobbyist and builder of scale |
| have failed but none has ever surpassed the | | | | railroads can tell you how much this eye for detail |
| product that started it all. | | | | adds to the enjoyment of this hobby. And how |
| Why are Lionel Model Trains so Popular? | | | | endless are the opportunities to add to their |
| There are two main reasons why these trains are | | | | railroads. |
| so popular. The first is simply people themselves. | | | | Many of these hobbyist began their hobby as |
| For some reason trains have always fired our | | | | young children when they received their first |
| imagination. There is a something slightly nostalgic, | | | | Lionel set for Christmas and have continued it into |
| exciting and even romantic about trains. They hold | | | | adulthood and even into retirement. They have |
| a fascination for people that is hard to explain. | | | | passed on their love for this hobby to their own |
| Lionel combines that fascination with a realistic | | | | children and even grandchild passing on their |
| detailed railroad set and tracks. From the smallest | | | | miniature railroads to be added to by continuing |
| lantern to the station houses themselves and | | | | generations of scale railroad enthusiasts. |
| every inch of every car in every set, these | | | | |