Collecting and Running Old Lionel Post War Trains

Ultimate Lionel Layout 1950's

It's been some time since I updated this blog. I recently posted a short video on the Instagram feed for My eBay Store     It is a video of one of my old O27 Gauge postwar steam engines zipping along on my train layout(s). 

A far shortened version of the above video has drawn a good response, with people asking for more such posts. The conclusion, a lot of folks seem to love old toy trains.

There are a few aspects to collecting old toy trains, especially old toy trains. Most people who collect toy trains also like to run them but therein lies the quandary. Preserving the value of a collectible vs running it and wearing down its collectible value.

Playing with old trains 

For this post - Lets focus on running the old trains. While they are cool, the older trains are quite antiquated in their features and operation. They last longer in terms of running, but they have their limitations compared to the newer toy trains. Honestly, it takes huge amount of patience as they can be frustrating to operate and run. After all they are 60 to 70 year old toys!

If you decide to run your old trains on the original style tracks you will face certain limitations too, such as limited availability of new replacement O-gauge and O27-gauge 3 rail tracks.  

The O-gauge trains run best on the O-gauge Track and need larger radius curves.  The O27 track is lower profile and can have a tighter turn. You can tell the difference in the trains scale as the O-gauge versions of the Locomotives, the engines and cars have THREE Number designations while the O-gauge have FOUR numbers.  

O27 is a gauge of its own and was very popular with the old Lionel "postwar"  trains. Below is an O27  "2020".   The photo below that shows the O-gauge version, the 671.

Lionel O27 gauge 2020

Lionel O gauge 671

Keeping the layouts simple is often best with the older postwar trains. A lot of them don't work well over switches ( turnouts) either. Here are some basic layout ideas from the original Lionel manuals.



For an old train runner, you probably don't want to give a child the old train as a runner, you are better off buying a new or newer set which are designed for better and easier play for kids. 

Newer Lionel Pennsy Flyer w Lionel Chief remote control

If you plan on running the old trains, you probably don't want or need ones that are in the top grade of the collectors scale. The very good C6 grade probably works best for operational runners although I still gently run my C7 and C8 grade trains.  Here is a brief breakdown of grading from C6 and higher:

C6 Very good: Minor scratches and paint nicks, minor spots of surface rust, free of dents, may have minor parts replaced.

C7 Excellent: Minute scratches and paint nicks, no rust, no missing parts, no distortion of component parts. 

C8 Like New: Complete and all original: No rust, no missing parts, may show affects of being on display and/or age, may have been run. 

C9 Factory New or Brand New: All original, unused, may evidence factory rubs and the slightest evidence of handling, shipping and having been test run at the factory. (Lionel test ran every engine they shipped!)

C10 Mint-Brand New: All original, unused and unblemished. (C-10 is non-existent unless the item is in a sealed unopened box)

The Original Boxes can also be a key factor for a collectible. Sometimes the original box itself can be worth more than the original contents.

Track Layout wise, anything larger than a single basic loop that is 8' or 9' by 4' or 5' wide will need additional power taps from the basic transformer such as a cw80. 

Basic Wiring from cw80 to a small basic loop

Back of cw 80 Transformer

More lockons or solder wires to the track will be needed to properly power farther points on larger loops:

I would suggest to start smaller and simpler, then work up to larger layouts. Perhaps start with two separate loops with independent power, one inside the other.  Having at least two trains running at the same time on the layout is more fun and looks better. Make sure you have the space so you don't have to keep tearing it all down, as even the smallest O27 or O gauge layout still needs a good deal of space. 

Curve and height differences for O gauge & O27 

An 8' x 4' table or more realistically a 10' x 6' is best for a decent smaller O27-gauge or O-gauge layout. If possible, avoid using the smallest of the curves like the O27 - 27"curve. Instead, use 31" or 36" inch curves at minimum, because you will be able to run more trains with more cars. On the smaller 27" curves, you will only be able to use a limited range of engines which can only pulling a small number of cars around such tight turns. The larger radius curve track provide more choices and fun too. 

More details on scale and other items regarding getting old trains to run can be found within our blog archives. 

As demand and interest warrants, with time permitting, I will publish more articles on this whole subject. 

You can also check out and visit my eBay store of various items by -

click this link to visit my store 

Note: We currently do not have a large inventory of 1940s - 1950s Lionel as these items sell out fast and it is getting harder to find and source good quality Postwar Lionel items, and I have a very hard time parting with any I  find. 

Happy Railroading and shopping!