Got a call from my cousin the other day saying she had found some old trains and wanted to give them to my son Dallas who loves and collects trains. We already have my dads collection of Lionel and AF from his childhood wich are quite complete and still in really nice shape, or at least I thought so until I received this Lionel 1955 Outfit and was blown away. All complete & in great shape with boxes, paper and books and everything. She remembers her and her brother playing with them as kids and it running around the Christmas tree ! No these aren't for sale, we'll keep use, maintain and enjoy them just as intended. Just wanted to share our find with yall, Enjoy.. Sent from tin cans with strings.
Wow those are in unbelievably nice condition! So are you going to have it circling your Christmas tree?
Man, original packaging and like new condition! You sir are sitting on a gold mine! Those bring big money, especially in that kind of condition. Did you buy a lottery ticket too? You should have!
MAN O'MAN!!! What a GREAT score!!! Do you realize what you REALLY have there? That is collector grade stuff, and a tough set to find. Especially with EVERYTHING as packed with all the boxes, that are in damn near perfect condition, even the setbox! That set is worth a pretty good chunk of $$$$ Congratulations!!!
I still have the set my dad bought my brother and I in 53-4. I have them in their original boxes also but not as good as those. It was not one of the expensive sets and value is on rarity as well as condition/boxes. Remember hundreds of thousands were made.
That's just sick! Lionel trains, the Locomotives, have a certain smell ... Ozone & machine oil and cloth insulated wiring? Whatever it is, that "electrical odor" always brings back memories of my dad's Lionel set.
It's not how many were made, but how many survived, and especially survived in that condition. Those look like you opened a time capsule and they just came from the factory. I doubt there are many left in that condition, original packaging and all.
Plenty of old stuff is rare, unique even, and it isn't worth hardly anything because nobody wants it. Lionel Trains will always have at least some demand, quality Americana has a certain appeal worldwide and drives the price somewhat. Nice if you're selling, not as nice if you're buying.
So I wont have this set around the tree this year but another one instead. We are still amazed at the complete condition and I'll keep everything intact just as is and build a proper display. I realize they're valuable but are worth far more sentimentally to us than $. Glad you guys enjoyed seeing this stuff, just wanted to share that "feeling" we got opening this box for the first time in who knows, 50 plus years... For now they're back into safe keeping. Sent from my LM-Q720 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Great set of trains had a big platform when I was a kid , my brother sold them a couple of years ago .
Very nice set, looks like brand new, the boxes are in wonderful shape. I still have my Dads set, he bought it in 1946. Lionel 2020 Steam engine, it was under our tree as long as I can remember. Its been under my tree ever since. I'm 63 and it brings back such great memories. Both of my parents are gone, Dad in '72 and Mom in 2014, but the train is a part of them and I love it.
That is awesome. My brother is into trains. I have always admired them from afar. Good for you and thanks for sharing!!!!
These are a few of the sets that I own. My fathers set from the 30s A set from the 50s A 70s service station set. Only one per dealer were released. A set my wife bought me for Christmas in the 80s. The last one came with 4 passenger cars a baggage car and a dining car. Smokes, whistles and steam sounds.
This year we have a modern Lionel around the tree. Its "The Polar Express" edition one of my sons favorite movies. The train is of pretty good quality but doesnt want to stay on track at all...oh well. Thanks for sharing yalls pics & memories here as well. Sent from my LM-Q720 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Wow wraymen, That 30's set brings back memories. My father had a set just like that as a kid. He saved it and passed it on to me .It had all the accessories,train depot,crossing signals and a lot of other stuff we added.We built a huge layout in the basement. Then in the early 60's mom decided it was time to clean out the basement.She called a trash guy to come haul out all of the JUNK without saying anything to dad .The train set went along with all my great grandfathers woodworking tools, a lot of dadsWW2 stuff. needless to say shit hit the fan when the old man got home..But then in 65 when I joined the navy the old man sold my 57 ford with 406 4speed for $100
Sorry to hear that you lost a lot of family treasures, I can definitely relate. The early Lionel is my favorite, not just for the sentimental value but because it was when toy trains were toys. They were not modeled after real trains like they are today. They were very expensive for the times and cherished by the kids whose parents just got through the depression.
You guys whose parents had trains like that are fortunate. My Dad didn't even live in a house with electricity until he was about 16 or 17, in 1953 or 54. They were dirt poor renters, share croppers, Grandpa worked in the woods in winter, the fields in summer. He never owned a car or even learned to drive. I guess that's why I never had an electric train, either. Had a couple of battery operated plastic ones, but never a Lionel or anything like that. I made sure my boys weren't going to be that way, I bought them a HO scale Lionel. It's in the back room closet, they out grew it and left it here. Guess the grandson will get it in a few years when he's old enough to appreciate it....
BamaMav, we weren’t rich by any means. My Grandfather worked in the mail room at the Whitehouse up until the Kennedy administration. My Dad worked two jobs his entire life. I guess we were middle class. Had it better than a lot of folks I’ll bet but nowhere near wealthy.
Papa 39, that must be a Missouri thing.I grew up in Liberty and my Dad sold my '55 Chevy as soon as I headed to boot camp in '66 and then when my Dad passed in'78 Mom throw everything into the burn barrel and made smoke out of everything.
My father in law gave me his 1948 model with 3 coach cars and like & others. I rewired them all and got new track and we always put it up around the tree at Christmas. Well always but this year. Lol. Love it. Gave it to me and my son even tho he’s not the oldest grandson cause he knew I’d get it running. And keep it.
Wow....very cool!! I appreciate you letting me use your lift and helping me get that hitch put on yesterday and showing me around. Some really cool stuff!
I had a flatbed car with a helicopter on it. Wind up the blade, and had an electric trigger release in a section of track. Actually took off.