Description
This article is from the Model Trains
FAQ, by Christopher D Coleman with numerous contributions by
others.
10 Collectable Model Train Manufacturers: L
LGB
(Lehmann Gross Bahn) A German maker who defined G Gauge (G for
(Gross)sor Big) in the 1970's and has imported increasingly to
the US for thespast fifteen years. Known for their high quality
and price as well assbeing weatherproofed for outdoor operation.
Lehmann (Ernst Paul Lehmann Patentwerk)
Nuremberg, Germany
LGB of America
6444 Nancy Ridge Road
San Diego, CA 92121
URL: http://www.lgb.com/
LIONEL
It was founded as the Lionel Manufacturing Company in 1900 by
JoshuasLionel Cowen (spelled Cohen at the time), a young
inventor. Itsinitially produced electric fans during the summer
of 1900, but in thesfall demand waned and during the Christmas
season he had the "vision"sof an electrically propelled train. In
1901 he began production ofs2-7/8 gauge two rail equipment. In
1906 he changed to three rails2-1/8" gauge "Standard Gauge", a
trademarked name. 2-1/8" gauge was ansimproper interpretation of
the old Marklin defined gauge which was 2-s1/8" between rail
CENTERS not their inside faces as Cowen interpretedsit.
Lionel changed its name to the Lionel Corporation in 1918 and
exceededsIves in sales in 1924. This marked the start of the
Classical Periodsof flamboyant, bright trains. The depression
took its toll on trainssales and killed the extravagant Standard
Gauge by 1940 in favor of O,swhich Lionel began in 1916. Lionel
bought the bankrupt Ives in 1930sand then itself entered
receivership. It recovered by 1939 largelyswith the help of its
hugely successful Mickey Mouse hand cars. Froms1938 to 1942
Lionel produced several O and OO scale models as part ofsthe
birth of the scale model movement. During WWII, as it had in
WWI,sLionel made naval navigation equipment.
The peak postwar year was 1952. By 1955 the market had soured
andsLionel headed into the red. In 1959 Cowen and his son sold
their stocksto Roy Cohn, an corporate raider, who tried cutting
costs and massivesdiversification only to wreck the company by
1964. Lionel produced orsdistributed fishing reels, race sets,
chemistry sets, record playerssand other odd products. Quality
was often negated to the quick buck.sLionel managed to buy the
rights to Flyer in 1967 and keep a toy linesgoing until 1969 when
they sold the train making rights to GeneralsMills Model Plastics
Division (MPC), which later changed its name
tosFundimensions. Lionel floundered financially as a holding
companysuntil bankruptcy around 1990.
Fundimensions had the advantage of great experience in the
plasticssindustry which they incorporated into the train
line. The size of thesline ebbed and flowed, peaking in 1978 and
1983. Quality was good onsthe whole, with top of the line items
being far superior to old Lionelsand bottom of the line being
worse. Fundimensions became a part ofsKenner-Parker Toys in 1985
and produced Lionel until 1986 when thesname, rights and
facilities were sold to Richard Kughn, a collectorsand real
estate man.
Kughn created Lionel Trains Incorporated, an autonomous train
maker.sInitially there were numerous excursions into semi-scale
models andsStandard Gauge reissues, but their production was
reduced greatly bys1991. The line has been significantly
re-vamped providing more andshigher quality beginner level
equipment and an overall more balancedsline up to $600
diesels. Quality and selection have also been
greatlysincreased. LTI introduced new and innovative items with a
vigorsmatched only by the Lionel Corp. of the 1950's. They have
madessubstantial use of the latest electronics in such items as
Railscope,sRailSounds, RailSounds II, electronic e-units, and now
TrainMasterscontrol system.
In September 1995 Wellspring Associates LLC acquired LTI and
thestrademarks of the original Lionel Corporation, previously
leased bysMPC and LTI. Their intentions include increased
marketing toward thesgeneral population rather than just the toy
train market.
Lionel LLC
50625 Richard W Blvd
Chesterfield, MI 48051-2493
Phone: 313-949-4100
Toll Free: 800-4-LIONEL to locate the nearest authorized dealer
Toll Free: 800-727-7297 for info on the TrainMaster control system
Fax: 313-949-3273
URL: http://www.lionel.com/
MARKLIN
Leading European maker of a wide range of gauges and scales.
Marklin
PO Box 319
16988 W Victor Road
New Berlin, WI 53151
URL: http://www.marklin.com/
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