Toy trains had their modest beginnings in the United States in Joshua Lionel Cowen’s New York loft in 1901. This simple train, actually a unique motorized gondola, has become the most popular hobby in the United States and Europe. These early trains were battery-powered, since most homes did not have electricity. They were also larger than most modern interior trains. Mr. Cowen named his railway company after his middle name: Lionel. Soon other manufacturers began making electric trains and many different gauges of trains began to appear. The term gauge refers to the distance between the rails. Mr. Cowen was an astute businessman and saw the value in all manufacturers using the same gauge. He used his pre-eminent position to force his “Lionel Standard” gauge on other manufacturers. This gauge is roughly equivalent to the modern G scale train. This scale is too large for most people’s homes.
The next milestone in the history of electric trains came in 1915. By then, electricity in homes was becoming more common, and trains designed to run on household current were more practical. Lionel introduced the smaller three-rail O gauge still in use and popular today. This indicator was more suitable for home use and the use of household current made it possible to operate the accessories.
During this period, Lionel was the first train manufacturer, but not the only one. The American Flyer company was born in 1907 with the partnership of two gentlemen named William Hafner and WO Coleman. They started with the production of mechanical trains. They experimented with lithography or “tin type” to make lower cost trains. In 1914, Hafner dissolved the partnership to start his own company. He began producing the American Flyer electric train, first in O gauge, and later in Standard gauge.
AC Gilbert Company purchased American Flyer in 1938 and switched production to HO and O gauge trains. World War II halted all toy train production. After the war, 1946 saw the introduction of Flyer S gauge trains. American Flyer lasted for almost twenty years, producing a good quality product. In the end, they simply couldn’t compete with Lionel, and the company stopped production in 1966. Lionel bought the production rights in 1968 and still produces a small number of Flyer products each year.
Lionel and American Flyer were popular trains of good quality, but they were expensive. Not everyone could afford them. Louis Marx obtained the Joy Line brand of wind-up trains from a Pennsylvania toy company in 1938. This was a fairly cheap train line, and the Marx Company developed its own train line from this beginning. These trains were more affordable and were popular until the company closed in 1975. Recently, the Marx train line has been reactivated and is once again available to run and collect.
Toy trains saw their beginnings in the early 20th century. At the beginning of the 21st century, trains are still popular. Children love them as toys, and as a hobby, adults discover that the magic lives on. Thomas the Tank on TV and Lionel are reintroducing a new generation of children to the fun of toy trains. Trains are available in a wide variety of scales, styles, and types. There is sure to be a suitable train for you. Treat yourself to a toy train today!