MLNtrains Buys, Sells, collects PostWar Lionel trains

Lionel Post War Ad

Welcome to MLN Trains! Looking to sell your trains? Use the contact form to contact us about your trains.  We buy, collect and sell old Trains.  We are most interested in buying POST WAR Lionel trains and accessories made between the years of 1946 to 1969.   


We have decades of experience in appraising the value and condition of older Lionel items. We have the most interest in PostWar Lionel Trains but are willing to consider all trains. PostWar Era Lionel trains were made in America during the postwar years from 1946-1969.

At MLN Trains,  we resurrect old trains and connect them with collectors and enthusiasts.  We do so through our network of contacts, train shows and online sources.

Shortly after Christmas most people have packed up and put away their toy trains. Some of these stored trains will return next December, while others may not emerge from their storage ever again. Check through our blog postings for how to awaken your long slumbering trains.

Original Lionel Postwar Ad

If you are looking to find particular prewar or postwar items, use the contact box to the right and we will put you on our mail list. We will keep an eye out for the items you are seeking and if we find them we will alert you.Any Prewar or Postwar item from MLNtrains will be from the actual Era. We will accurately describe and grade these items to best of ability. There are specific and clear ways to tell the actual vintage, variation and "Era" of a Lionel Train.   


Lionel trains of the PostWar era were truly made to be, "An Investment in a lifetime of Happiness..."

Note: ALL GRADING Standards for Toy Train and related accessory items apply to the VISUAL appearance of the item and the grading does not consider the operational functionality of the equipment. Condition and grading standards are subjective, at best, and are intended as a guide.

Below are various items in our store, few are currently old toy train related as they move and sell out fast and are hard to find.

 

Real Railroads and Toy Train history

Lionel Trains were made in America. Lionel had factory locations in Irvington and Hillside, New Jersey.  Lionel Corporation manufactured their toy trains in New Jersey from  the early 1920s until 1969.  Like much of what the original Lionel corporation built, the old Lionel factory building still stands

  

Real world Erie Railroad Landmarks like this signal tower located in Bergen County N.J can still be found throughout the NY/NJ/PA area.

This one was part of a small rail yard installation in Waldwick, N.J. The tower was built in 1886 and operated until the late 1960's. 

The Erie Railroad which went through several changes as the D.L.W and then Erie Lackawanna RR and these Erie RR lines along with the "Pennsy" Rail Road, each had great  influence on the production and design of PostWar Era Lionel Trains. 

The historical tower above has been restored and still stands. Many toy train switch tower buildings are based on the design of these real world towers. These towers remain a common sight on both toy train layouts and in real life throughout NY, NJ and PA towns. The real Erie Locomotive below and to the left was taken in the Waldwick Yard around 1939 - 1940. The photo below to the right is a Postwar Lionel toy train from the 1940's and inspired by real world counterparts.