Incredibly, the Lionel Corporation of New York continued on, without its train business, operating a line of discount toy stores called Lionel Kiddie City, until the late 1980s when the company finally went out of business. The company also seemed to trade quality for profits starting around 1960, and this became increasing evident in the trains they made.Īround 1970, the trademark and train manufacturing equipment of Lionel were purchased by General Mills Fundimensions Group, which moved the factory from New Jersey to Mt. What a been a part of daily life up to 1960 quickly ended, and kids no longer had much interest in a toy which reflected a nearly defunct mode of public transportation. This famous company, which held a dominant lead in the toy train business from the 1920s to the 1960s, almost went out of business in 1969, due in part to the public's own nearly total disinterest in train travel. But it's not surprising that many people might think the company must have gone bankrupt years ago, because Lionel trains are no longer found in most toy stores and toy departments of large stores, nor hardware and variety stores such as Western Auto.
The famous Lionel train company is still in business. You can still buy your kids a nice Lionel train set for Christmas! But prices are very high both for the "original" Lionel trains, and for the new trains being produced by Lionel of Michigan (read on!). Millions were made in the 1940s and 1950s especially, and most families took good care of their trains. Lionel trains are still easily available, either new or used. Greenberg Publishing, and others have both produced very detailed price and reference books for all types of Lionel trains. Value is based on condition (what else is new!?), so the value of Lionel trains depends upon how well they were taken care of, and how well they have been stored. Don't throw them out or sell them for $10 a box at a garage sale! However, remember that Lionel trains left unwrapped in a damp basement for 20 years are not going to be worth very much at all! Let's first answer the most often asked question: YES! Your Lionel trains in the attic or basement are definitely worth something if you have taken good care of them.