Lionel Electric
Lionel Electric
How to Power Your Model Trains - Lionel Trains
In the early days, model trains were toys and were powered by a mechanism like a clock - speed was controlled by grabbing levers attached on the train itself as it moved. When the trains were powered by electricity, the power was delivered through a third rail and picked up by a skid like mechanism that dragged on the track. When the Model Train began to be popular, and enthusiasts became more reality oriented, the power was carried in two rails, one being positive and the other being negative.
Although battery powered trains were popular in the late 19th and 20th centuries, battery power is making a return, except for real enthusiasts who regard battery power as something for toys only. However, such toys are what very young children get their first love of model trains from, often graduating to systems that are more sophisticated later on. It's that small dream that grows into the big one later that makes the model train industry grow more and more each year.
When that small dream reaches maturity and that love of model trains becomes a full -blown passion, (Wives sometimes call it obsession), and then a different breed is born - the garden railway enthusiast. These are the ones who put down good money for cars that have every detail, including even, the correct number of rivets in the cars along with the proper scale of everything down to the wheel flanges.
These are the ones who have gone back to the battery, because it's hard to keep an outside power source reliable when interference from the elements creates problems in power systems. Garden railway enthusiasts find now that it is easier to use lead acid batteries, much like those used in cars, because with putting the power source outside there is a danger with both wiring and insulation, as well as the high draw on household current.
I have seen bumper stickers on cars and vans that read, "Pray for me, my husband collects trains", and I think that about sums up the attitude of some toward such a detailed "hobby".
When the car was first invented, it was thought of in the same way. It's the passion that is instilled from an early age that grows with time to become a life-long love.
I have seen garden railroaders sitting on a bench, just watching their trains run the course, with switch tracks, sidings, tunnels and waterfalls, but on their faces is a kind of serenity like the kind some get when they "get away from it all". For these hobbyists it is most intriguing.
I may talk about all of the physical aspects of model train power, how it went from wind up clock work mechanisms to AC, DC, and battery power, but it's what's behind it all that really powers the model train industry, and that is the love of it, because of how it makes them feel, and to that I say - more power to them!
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Lionel trains and accessories |  |
0 Bid | US $250.00 | 4h 41m |
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Lionel CW 80 Train Transformer 80 Watt Brand New | |
4 Bids | US $51.50 | 6h 47m |
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Lionel 1101 Scout locomotive and tender | |
0 Bid | US $34.99 | 7h 14m |
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VINTAGE POSTWAR LIONEL 671 75 SMOKE LAMP BULB FOR 1946 7 671 726 LOCOS | |
1 Bid | US $24.75 | 7h 15m |
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2 Electric Switches Left and Right little rusty all metal | |
0 Bid | US $26.95 | 7h 29m |
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Marx New York Central NYC Caboose 20102 Red Gray 3 16 Scale S Gauge Vintage Rare | |
2 Bids | US $12.99 | 7h 33m |
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3 O gauge Lionel track crossings and 1 small Lionel transformer | |
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Marx New York Central NYC Boxcar 174580 Red Gray 3 16 Scale S Gauge Vintage Rare | |
2 Bids | US $13.99 | 7h 40m |
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Very Nice 2004 Lionel Train Volume 1 Accessories Catalog | |
0 Bid | US $5.99 | 7h 40m |
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2 Crossovers little rusty | |
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LIONEL ELECTRIC FOR PARTS | |
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LIONEL Train Service and Repair Parts Manual 3 CD Set Newr 2011 2012 Season | |
0 Bid | US $17.99 | 9h 16m |
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Lionel Railroad Electric Train Reading Standard O Caboose | |
2 Bids | US $8.50 | 9h 19m |
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LIONEL TRAINS REPAIR MANUAL CATALOG 1902 1986 DVD | |
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US $5.99 | 9h 30m |
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Lionel Transformer Type 1044 with Box | |
7 Bids | US $8.00 | 9h 57m |
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LIONEL TOY TRAIN PRICING CATALOG MAGAZINE 1953 EDITION COLLECTIBLE | |
0 Bid | US $9.95 | 11h 2m |
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Pair of Lionel O 72 Switches Left Hand 6 65166 | |
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New Old Stock Lionel No 71 Metal Electric Lamp Post In Original Box Made In USA | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 11h 19m |
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Lionel Train Set 2124W Loco GG1 2332 Madison 2627 Irvington 2625 Manhattan 2628 | |
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17 Bids | US $66.99 | 11h 46m |
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0 Bid | US $199.99 | 11h 59m |
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Vintage Lionel 726 Berkshire 2 8 4 w 2046w Whistle Tender TLC | |
11 Bids | US $177.51 | 12h 9m |
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Lionel Jr Instructions for Operating O27 Electric Trains Form 1067E | |
1 Bid | US $1.00 | 12h 12m |
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0 Bid | US $49.99 | 12h 28m |
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Lionel 6 19513 Ben Franklin Reefer Brand New in the Original Box | |
0 Bid | US $14.95 | 12h 34m |
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1 Bid | US $12.59 | 12h 37m |
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Lionel 8002 Union Pacific 2 8 4 Berkshire FARR 2 Loco w Sound TLC | |
5 Bids | US $109.50 | 12h 39m |
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Lionel O Gauge 0 train bogie Gondola wagon 3 rail N K P | |
1 Bid | US $12.59 | 12h 40m |
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Lionel Standard Gauge Wheel Gears 2ea Reproduction | |
0 Bid | US $4.50 | 12h 41m |
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Lionel Electric Trains 2460 Fork Lift | |
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US $170.00 | 12h 45m |
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Vintage Lionel 224 Prairie 2 6 2 Loco w 1666T Whistle Tender TLC | |
1 Bid | US $49.99 | 12h 49m |
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18040 Norfolk Western Loco New OB Lionel O Gauge | |
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US $549.99 | 12h 49m |
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Lionel Electric Trains Oil Car 6465 | |
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US $45.00 | 12h 52m |
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Marx 35461 PFE Reefer Boxcar Southern Pacific SP 3 16 Scale S Gauge Vintage Rare | |
3 Bids | US $20.50 | 12h 57m |
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Lionel Electric Trains 6464 Boxcar Series III | |
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US $100.00 | 12h 58m |
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VINTAGE 1948 LIONEL4 PG FOLDER INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPERATING CARS No3459 3559 3451 | |
1 Bid | US $1.99 | 13h 5m |
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Lionel Electric Dual Switch Controller | |
0 Bid | US $14.99 | 13h 10m |
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Lionel Electric Single Switch Controller | |
0 Bid | US $10.99 | 13h 11m |
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Marx 7 7 Inch 37956 Pennsylvania Merchandise Service Boxcar Vintage Rare | |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 13h 19m |
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VINTAGE ORIGINAL 1952 AMERICAN FLYER INSTRUCTION ASSEMBLY BOOK | |
0 Bid | US $5.00 | 14h 3m |
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LIONEL KAL KAN PET CARE ELECTRIC TRAIN SET 1997 SET ORIGINAL BOX IN STORAGE NICE | |
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LIONEL ELECTRIC TRAIN CAR MODEL 6 19264 MICKEY IN BLAGGARD CASTLE BOX CAR DISNEY | |
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Lionel Instructions for Operating 3652 Electric Remote Control Gondola Car | |
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Lionel 5 Empty Boxes 6464 900 525 3376 Giraffe Car Two UCS Original NR | |
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Lionel 1877 Flat Car With Original Horses Boxed Unused NR | |
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HO Roco Apollo optik Electric Light Rail Streetcar | |
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Lionel 3535 Security Car with Original Box Unused NR | |
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Lionel 26502 Union Pacific Bay Window Caboose From Set | |
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Lionel Santa Fe 8250 B Dummy Diesel Unit | |
10 Bids | US $31.00 | 14h 55m |
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Lionel Electric No 3474 Box Car | |
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US $70.00 | 14h 59m |
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1937 Lionel Electric Train catalog Rare Black and White version | |
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1987 Lionel Electric Train catalog in good condition | |
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US $3.99 | 15h 5m |
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1937 Lionel Electric Train catalog in good condition | |
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US $49.99 | 15h 5m |
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1989 Lionel Electric Train catalog in good condition Pre Toy Fair Edition | |
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US $3.99 | 15h 5m |
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Lionel Electric Reading Three bay Hooper 6 17111 | |
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US $45.00 | 15h 6m |
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Prewar Lionel O Gauge No152 Dark Gray Electric Engine | |
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Prewar Lionel O Gauge No253 Mojave Electric Engine | |
9 Bids | US $70.80 | 15h 24m |
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Lionel 3656 Operating Cattle Car Accessory Complete w Original Boxes 10 Cows | |
17 Bids | US $61.39 | 15h 30m |
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Bild A Loco Motor for 381 9U Other Lionel Ives Electric Great Build Runner | |
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US $199.99 | 15h 42m |
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Prewar Lionel Standard Gauge No408E Apple Green 0 4 4 0 Electric Engine | |
11 Bids | US $555.00 | 15h 49m |
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