Trains.com

Lionel pre-war sets

2987 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: N. Calif.
  • 119 posts
Lionel pre-war sets
Posted by Boonter on Tuesday, November 30, 2004 9:22 PM
Is there a published list of train sets made by Lionel? Other than each year's catalog, that is. The era my interest is from, say, 1934-1954. I have a few of the catalogs from this time span, but its VERY time consuming to try to get a comprehensive list. Curiosity more than praticallity I suppose![8D]
Cheers & Talleyho !
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Willoughby, Ohio
  • 5,231 posts
Posted by spankybird on Wednesday, December 1, 2004 6:05 AM
This shuold help. you can order it on line or pick on up at your local train shop

http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/toy-trains-books-greenbergs-pocket-price-guides.html

tom

I am a person with a very active inner child. This is why my wife loves me so. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. OTTS Founder www.spankybird.shutterfly.com 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Wisconsin
  • 2,877 posts
Posted by Bob Keller on Wednesday, December 1, 2004 7:04 AM
You might want to check eBay or a used book source like abebooks.com for Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Trains 1901-1942, Vol. IV Prewar Sets by Dave McEntarfer (1995, Kalmbach). This baby is out of print and will probably never be reprinted (at least by us).

Bob Keller

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: North Texas
  • 5,707 posts
Posted by wrmcclellan on Wednesday, December 1, 2004 10:36 AM
So Bob,

Are you saying that everyone that collects pre-war and wants that book already has one and thus there is no more market for it? Wow.

Regards,
Roy

Regards, Roy

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Middle o' Nowhere, MO
  • 1,108 posts
Posted by palallin on Wednesday, December 1, 2004 5:08 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Ogaugeoverlord

You might want to check eBay or a used book source like abebooks.com for Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Trains 1901-1942, Vol. IV Prewar Sets by Dave McEntarfer (1995, Kalmbach). This baby is out of print and will probably never be reprinted (at least by us).


That's awfully distressing, Bob. Is it Kalmbach's judgment that prewar collecting is dead?

I'm just getting into Standard Gauge, myself (at 40), and I'd hate to have to wait till another old time collector drops dead to buy a copy at his estate sale [B)]

Seriously, those things sell for a couple hundred bucks per copy. Surely those prces indicate a market?
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Western Pennsylvania
  • 687 posts
Posted by prewardude on Wednesday, December 1, 2004 10:36 PM
This is sad news indeed, Bob. [:(] If MTH's recent additions to their Tinplate Traditions line is any indication, there is indeed still a market for prewar-style trains. I wonder how many more people will be introduced to these wonderful trains because of MTH's efforts?
  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: MO
  • 886 posts
Posted by Dave Farquhar on Wednesday, December 1, 2004 11:52 PM
It would be very nice to see the out-of-print Greenberg books reprinted (the Greenberg American Flyer and Ives books are very good too). If it's not feasible to reprint them in paper form, what about printing them electronically, on CD-ROM? It's nowhere near as convenient, but the cost of printing and distribution plummets, and then the people who need the information can get it.
Dave Farquhar http://dfarq.homeip.net

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month