Frequently Asked Questions

Categories of Questions and Answers

Train Values and Selling My Trains

Unique and Valuable Lionel Trains

Parts and Service for My Trains

Operating My Trains

Sizes of Lionel Trains

Lionel Fastrack Layouts and Operation

LCCA Fastrack Modules and Standards

Lionel Customer Programs

Software - Inventory, Track Planning, etc.

Storage Conditions and Packaging of Trains

Train Values and Selling My Trains

Q: How and where can I sell my trains?
A: First off as a member of the LCCA you can advertise for FREE to other members of our club in our quarterly publication The Interchange Track. Another popular place is eBay which is an auction site and quite extensive but comes with costs associated with selling them. There are also national auction companies that specialize in selling trains. They typically advertise their auctions in magazines such as Classic Toy Trains and O Gauge Railroading. These national companies primarily deal in highly collectible trains and average run of the mill trains are of little interest to them, however. You could also check with local hobby shops in your area or you might also be able to get a table at a local train show and sell them there. Often these rent from $10-50 each. However, you will need to have done some research to do the pricing. Overprice them and you will take them home with you and be out the cost of the tables to boot. Lastly, you might try Craigslist or a for sale ad in your local newspaper to advertise them for sale.

Q. I have a "bunch" of Lionel trains and accessories. Some are in "good" condition and others are dirty or rusty. Is there a market for all of this and should I just throw the rusty stuff away?
A: Often times a "bunch" of old trains will include rusty or "oxidized" track. It is seldom of any value and may be better discarded with one exception and that is switches which can be worth cleaning up by a collector. In all cases NEVER use steel wool to try to clean these rusty or oxidized items. Also many smaller train sets came with small transformers which are seldom worth the cost to ship them anywhere. Otherwise, the most value will be in the engines of the set followed by any accessories and then the cars themselves. 

Do not discard any of the boxes or instructions that came with the trains. These are desired by collectors as well. Most of the engines and cars are identified by a number on the side of the car or engine which a collector can use to identify what you have. Pictures are most always needed to start to arrive at identifying and setting a value for the trains and a collector will most always request these.

Lastly, do not attempt to clean your trains with any abrasive, steel wool, or cleansing agent of any kind. Many of these will do more damage than good. A true collector will know what should be used and preserve the value of the trains.

Q: What are my trains worth?
A: Lionel has been making trains since 1900 and has a well deserved reputation for quality products. Many of the trains made in the early years right up through the present have kept their value and some are highly valued by collectors, while other more common ones, while worthy of running may not have a high collector value. The value of a particular set or piece is dependent on several factors such as condition, rarity, and the presence of the original box in good condition. Several companies have published price guides which list a value for most of Lionel's production. Two companies that publish respected guides include Kalmbach - www.kalmbach.com and TM Books and Videos - www.tmbv.com. Keep in mind that values listed in these guides are just that - a guide. Often when selling trains, they must by offered at a price below the listed value to sell quickly. 

Members of the LCCA can list trains for sale and purchase trains from other members in The Interchange Track. This magazine is issued four times a year and there is no charge to members to list items. In addition to the magazine, members also have access to an online listing service, eTrack - again at no charge. These listings also serves as a guide to exactly what items are selling for. Items are conveniently listed in numerical order, making it easy to find a particular item. 

Q: How should I classify the condition or grade of my trains?
A: The LCCA has established grading standards that can be used for both your trains and the boxes they came in. A seasoned train collector should be consulted to assist in grading your trains. Typically the average person over grades their items unless they are knowledgeable of these grading standards.

Unique and Valuable Lionel Trains

Q: I recently acquired what I understand is a rare Lionel set - the postwar Halloween General set. Why is is so rare?
A: The original set that became known as the Halloween set was made by Lionel as a promotional set for the Druggists’ Service Counsel, Inc. and offered to its member stores through their Gifts Galore catalog. According to John Schmid’s excellent resource, Authoritative Guide to Lionel’s Promotional Outfits 1960-1969, 7300 of these sets were produced in 1960. The orange and black loco and the blue passenger car make this set quite unique. The set did not have individual boxes, but was displayed in a single large box. The set included a Frontier set, made by Bachmann’s Plasticville, a small transformer and enough O27 track to make a figure 8 layout. It’s value is highest when the original large display box and the Frontier set in Lionel’s packaging are included. You can read more about it in the above mentioned book, available from Project Roar Publishing.

Sears also had a set numbered 79 N 09666. It was cataloged in the 1959 Sears Christmas Catalog. John Schmidt's excellent documentation of sets begins in the year 1960, so this set was not included. The catalog picture is in black & white, but the description describes the loco as " black, red and gold-color. " The set appears to be the usual General set with a yellow coach, a yellow baggage car and the short flatcar with fences and horses. I believe the flatcar might have been numbered differently than the standard one and may have been a different color, but I believe the loco and cars were the usual Lionel colors - not the Halloween colors. The set also came with an 18 piece plastic frontier outfit with windmill, building and animals. The picture also shows fence sections to coral the animals. The price was $25.89.

Q: I have given up trying to find information about my great grandfather’s boyhood train.  As you can see the military train has a tank locomotive with a flashing light at the end of the tank cannon which flashes like cannon fire as the turret sweeps from left to right.  In addition the train set as only two olive drab box cars “O” gauge.  I would very much appreciate any information, or location, email that might assist me in gathering more information.
A: The set you have was first listed in Lionel’s 1917 catalog, under the headline – Play War! Two sets were produced each with different cars. One set had the armored motor car and two no. 702 Supply cars. That set, outfit no.  215, sold in 1917 for $8.00. A complete set included in addition to the loco and cars, 8 sections of curved track and two sections of straight, along with a no. 88 controlling rheostat. The second set came with two no. 900 Ammunition cars. This set had no straight track, only the curved, and sold for $6.50. These sets were offered in the Lionel catalogs through 1919. Your photos match this second set. This set has been reproduced in recent years and the original is quite rare. Value depends on condition. Having the original box adds greatly to the value. Your set looks well worn, but due to its rarity, it is a desirable set. A scan of the 1917 catalog page on which this train was introduced is shown here.

Q: I recently bought  a post war navy set at a sale. The box is marked x646. I don’t think this is the right # as I think it could be x628. My biggest problem is the submarine car is missing. I would like to know the correct # car.  Is the correct car #3330 or #3830. They both have the 3830 Sub on them?
A: The X646 set and the X628 set are very similar. Both were produced in 1961. One of the major differences is that the items in the X646 set were individually boxed. This is indicated by the –25 in the part numbers. The two sets have similar cars except for the Submarine car. The X628 came with a boxed 3830 Submarine car. The X646 came instead with a 6062 unboxed black NYC gondola and three orange cable reels. The Helicopter car in both sets (3410) is the manual type which cannot be operated remotely. The one in the X628 set had a box.

If you collect promotional sets from the 60s, the best book around is, Authoritative Guide to Lionel’s Promotional Outfits 1960-1969. The book is almost 2 inches thick and has all the information you would need –even exactly how the items were packed in the box. The book was published by Project Roar Publications.

Q: I have a question about the history of the 6464-100 built in 1954-1955. There seems to be a lot of confusion surrounding these cars. Mine is an orange 6464-100 built in 3/54. But that does not jive with the explanation that these were built in 1955. It seems like the only ones built in 1954 were orange as well but only had a number 6464 and was a limited production run.
A: First, the 6464-100 in orange was made in 1954 – not 1955. The interesting thing about the orange car is that the correct box for it is actually labeled 6464-250. The car actually had the number 6464100 on it. This car is the most valuable of the Western Pacific 6464 boxcars. A much later version made in 1966 was numbered 6464250 on the car. The 1954-1955 version is the silver car with a larger yellow feather and was also numbered 6464100 on the car.  I am unaware of an orange version with only 6464 on the car.

Q: Are there any obvious differences between the 773 from 1950 and the one from 1964?
A: There are some very significant differences between the 1950 model and the 1964 model of the 773. When first introduced in 1950, the 773 was only offered for one year. It did not appear again until 1964, when it was offered through 1966. On the 1960s version, the slide valve guides on the rear of the steam chest were eliminated. The paint finish was a bit glossier and the cab numbers were slightly larger. The most pronounced difference was the tender. The 1950 version came with a die-cast metal tender. The 1960s version came with a plastic Pennsy style tender which in the 1964 was lettered for Pennsylvania. In 1965 and 66 it was lettered for New York Central. The tender is really too small for the scale sized loco and the trucks on the tender were plastic.

Parts and Service for My Trains

Q: I'd like to run my old Lionel Trains. Are parts and repair services still available?
A: Yes! Many parts for trains made throughout Lionel's history are still available. Reproductions of difficult to find parts are also available. Lionel still maintains Authorized Service Stations with trained specialists who can not only repair current production, but also older Lionel products. You can check for a local Service Station at Lionel's website - www.Lionel.com under the customer service tab. You might also check local hobby shops. The service manual can help you identify parts which can then be purchased. For more current production, Lionel offers instruction manuals and exploded parts diagrams which are viewable on their website www.lionel.com.

Members of the LCCA receive The Lion Roars, five times a year. This magazine features layout photos, reviews of current products, and tips on running and repairing Lionel trains. Back issues of the magazine are also available to members online. 

Q: I have recently received a model train that has been sitting idle for over 35 years. It is a Lionel 2026, wheel configuration is 2-6-4. From what I can find, this is a post-war (51-53) manufactured train. My first problem is that the tracks (outside center to outside center of a 3 track rail) is 1.375". All I've read is that the O gauge should be 1.25". I am confused on what I actually have. I want to recondition this set for grandchildren. I have no info on the set. I need tech manuals and operator manuals. The transformer is a mess and I'm a little worried about replacing the cord and plugging in. Any info you may have to share would be appreciated. Any info on obtaining tech manuals would also be appreciated.
A: The track you have sounds right. The 1.25" dimension should be an inside measurement BETWEEN the two outer rails. There are several versions of Lionel's postwar service manual available. In reduced size printed format, it can be purchased from Kalmbach Publications - www.classictoytrains.com. An excellent digital version with full sized printable pages also available from www.hslinc.com. Be wary of some of other digital versions advertised online - they are grossly incomplete and hyped with deceptive ads. I would be cautious about repairing the transformer. Lionel doesn't even allow their service stations to repair them. It is the one spot where you have 110 volts. If you are qualified electrically, the cord can certainly be changed, but the transformer should be tested and assured safe before passing it on to your grandchildren. The service manuals listed above do give technical details on many of Lionel's transformers. If you have a hobby or train shop that sells Lionel, you may be able to purchased a use transformer for a reasonable price.

Q: I am "resurrecting" some of my 1950's Lionel collection and have a #3927 Cleaning Car. It requires a new brush and cleaning fluid and cotton swabs for wiping the rail. Do you know if these are still manufactured and if I could purchase replacement parts? Or should I contact Lionel directly?
A: The postwar 3927 was introduced by Lionel in 1956. The sponge ring and cotton swabs are still available from many Lionel parts dealers, but not directly from Lionel. I did a quick Google search and found them sold by at least one dealer. They are listed in the parts section under no. 3927. I'm sure other parts dealers also have them. Lionel cautioned back then to only use Lionel's cleaning fluid, which was a non-flammable detergent fluid. I have heard from others that the Life-Like track cleaning fluid is a good choice. The important thing is that you don't want to use anything flammable or anything that will attack plastic. I also understand that Lionel's postwar track cleaning car is not as efficient at cleaning as one might hope. It is certainly worth a try though.

Q: I have some lube grease from a 60+ year old 927 lubricating and maintenance kit. Can it still be used effectively to lubricate my Lionel trains? 
A: You should definitely NOT use the old Lionel Lubricant. Save the tube as a memory of postwar Lionel, but don’t use it on your trains. Today’s lithium lubricants are far superior than Lionel’s mix of oil and soap. Lionel’s lube will in time dry out leaving a hard and unsuitable residue that must be cleaned out. Some of Lionel’s postwar accessories which used this lube, i.e. No. 364 Lumber Loader, will function so much better if the old lube is removed, the gear case cleaned, and modern lithium grease added to replace the old lube. THe original Lionel Lube has not been offered by Lionel since the 1960s. Current Lionel Maintenance kits include a lithium based lube.

Q: I have The Prairie Type 2-6-2 Locomotive, No. 2025.  Last winter I decided to clean and oil it, since it looked like it needed it.  When I put it back together it would only go backwards.  I must have put some parts back together incorrectly, but I don't know which parts.  And when I move the direction switch behind the smoke stack, it makes no difference.  Also pressing the reverse button on the transformer makes no difference either.
A: It sounds like your e-unit is stuck in one position. First be sure that the e-unit lever is in the correct position. In one position it locks the e-unit. In the other position it allows the normal forward-neutral-reverse-neutral operation. Try the loco with that lever in each position. If that does not solve the problem, you’ll have to remove the boiler shell and inspect the e-unit. Check its operation with the boiler shell off and make sure the e-unit lever is making proper contact. In the position you want it in, it makes an electrical contact. If that lever is loose, that contact might not be being made. Also check that the plunger in the e-unit is able to move and not jammed.

Operating My Trains