.: Antiques - Antique Lionel Trains :.

Lionel trains are unquestionably the greatest name in the history of toy trains. Founded in 1902 by Joshua Lionel Cowen, Lionel was incorporated as the Lionel Manufacturing Company.

In his teens, Cowen had worked for New York’s Acme Electric Lamp Company as a battery-lamp assembler, and he enjoyed experimenting in his spare time. In 1901, Cowen developed what was to become the first Lionel train—a battery-powered “Electric Express.”

The first Lionel train was originally designed to be used as a showpiece in a shop window, however, customers became curious about the Electric Express and, eventually, twelve of the showpieces Lionel trains were sold.

In 1909, Lionel was advertising it's Lionel trains as "The Standard of the World" and in 1915, O-Gauge was introduced, which eventually became the most popular scale of train. Whatever the scale, Lionel Trains have become an active part of every child's beginning throughout the ages.