| Despite Joshua Lion Cowen's belief in the value of his | | | | The durability of toy trains and model railways has |
| Lionel toy trains and the success that it will eventually | | | | proven itself over the last few decades. When Lionel |
| enjoy, he most certainly would not have imagined that | | | | trains first came out, they were a huge hit and many |
| the popularity of his products continue to be strong | | | | were fascinated by the detail and quality afforded to |
| today, especially given the revival in model train | | | | each train set. Building and setting up a railroad set with |
| collecting in recent years. Lionel model trains were a | | | | live trains were also a sight to behold, and they still are |
| pioneer in the model train and railroad business, and | | | | today. Despite the advent of cars and subsequently, |
| gained a strong foothold in the industry due to its | | | | planes, trains were also a necessary mode of |
| impeccable attention to detail and quality, partly | | | | transport in many countries, especially in those where |
| because of the large group of skilled toy train | | | | financially it was more affordable to use these to |
| craftsmen that Cowen employed for his business. This | | | | transport various products within the country or across |
| attention to detail spawned countless Lionel trains set | | | | neighboring countries. Till today, trains can sometimes |
| which were incredibly realistic and provided fans with | | | | be more cost effective than using airborne transport, |
| endless hours of fun and pure joy. The popularity at its | | | | even if the cost of fuel for locomotives has risen |
| height resulted in a high percentage of Americans that | | | | considerably due to its increasing scarcity. With trains |
| owned at least one set of these toys. They were also | | | | having an enduring presence even in the modern |
| a top choice for gifts for every occasion, from | | | | world, it is hard to imagine a dwindling interest in model |
| Christmas to the New Year. | | | | Lionel trains. |
| An amazing fact that is not commonly known about | | | | While it is more difficult to get hold of a Lionel train |
| the creator of Lionel trains is that Joshua Lionel Cowen | | | | model set nowadays due to decreasing production |
| was not originally an American. He moved to the | | | | and the fact that other toy train producers are coming |
| country and settled down with his family, before falling | | | | out with cheaper alternatives, there are still plenty of |
| in love with trains as well. These large locomotives | | | | options for model train set collectors and aficionados. |
| were growing in popularity as a mode of transport at | | | | The Internet is definitely an option, with many fans and |
| that time, and Cowen decided to translate his love for | | | | collectors going online to trade in their favorite sets and |
| them into model toys which could be enjoyed by | | | | models, especially with Lionel prewar trains. If you look |
| people all over the world. He also wanted Lionel trains | | | | hard enough, there are bound to be bargains and a |
| to be a source of inspiration and learning for | | | | few gems to be found, with collectors all over the |
| locomotive fans worldwide, and knew that they would | | | | world. In fact, with a more specialized production of the |
| become popular and sell like hot cakes due to their | | | | train sets, Lionel trains have increased in value, |
| importance in many countries as a source of transport | | | | especially for older vintage models which have |
| and a strong economic factor. Within a few years of | | | | become increasingly difficult to locate. There are many |
| starting his toy train business, Lionel trains quickly | | | | individuals who have grown rich as a result of their |
| became successful, evidently through his move to | | | | hobby and love for collecting toy trains, and Lionel |
| bigger offices and the growing number of employees | | | | trains are often a major factor in their success. |
| to cope with rising demand and popularity. | | | | |