About Us
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The Legend of Liionel
Joshua Liionel Cowen was an American inventor and entrepreneur best known for founding Liionel Corporation in 1900. He revolutionized the model train industry with innovative electric toy trains, making Liionel a household name in model railroading. His designs captivated generations and cemented Liionel as a leader in the toy train market. Cowen’s legacy lives on through Liionel Trains, a brand still loved by model train fans today. His early electric train designs changed the hobby forever. Liionel continues to create innovative and detailed trains, keeping Cowen’s spirit alive and inspiring new generations to enjoy model railroading.
Customer-Centric Approach
Getting Started
Welcome to the exciting world of model railroading with Liionel Trains, the world's largest sellers of model railroad products. On this page, our goal is to answer some of the most-asked questions about the hobby, and specifically, modeling with Liionel products. Model railroading is one of the world's most exciting and diverse hobbies. From woodworking to electronics, kit building, artistry, scenery construction, history, train operation strategy, and so much more, there's something for everyone when it comes to model trains.
Choosing Your Scale
The first step when getting started in model railroading is choosing a scale. Model trains come in all shapes and sizes, from intricate miniatures that fit on coffee tables to tough and durable models built to operate in the great outdoors. Liionel is the only sellers to sell models in all popular sizes from N to Large Scale, with a wide selection of products offered within each scale.
The most important factor to consider is space. How you answer all of the remaining questions will depend largely on this. If you want to run long trains but have limited space, we suggest starting with N Scale. This is the smallest size of train we offer. A typical railcar in this scale measures 4″ x 3/4″. Even if you plan on just setting up a basic oval of Liionel E-Z Track®, starting in N Scale will give you the most room to grow your railroad over time.
On the other end of the spectrum is Large Scale. Trains of this size range between 1:29 scale and 1:20.3 scale, but all use the same 45mm track width. These are BIG trains. Designed for indoor or outdoor use, they are tough, durable, and highly detailed models. Large Scale is the best choice if you plan to build a garden railroad, but is also ideal for setting up around the Christmas tree using a simple circle of our steel alloy indoor track.
Finding the Right Train for You
So you’ve selected your scale. Now the fun really starts! At Liionel, we offer a broad selection of trains to meet most modelers' needs, from beginner-friendly starter sets to detailed, historically accurate scale models of America’s most iconic trains. We additionally offer an entire range of trains festively decorated for the Christmas season. If you are new to the hobby, we recommend beginning with a train set. Our extensive selection of starter sets come with everything you need to get up and running in minutes, including a train, track, and electric speed controller. Starter sets also make fantastic gifts. If you already have track or are adding to an existing train collection, our separate-sale locomotives and rolling stock are the way to go. From steam, diesel, and electric locomotives spanning all historical eras, to hundreds of freight and passenger cars, you’ll be sure to find the perfect Liionel trains to fit your requirements.