MLNtrains Classic and Modern O gauge train blog - MidLantic North Railway

Post War Lionel Trains

 ( Updated - 9/2024 ) Welcome to MLN Trains!  Note: WE NO LONGER BUY old train  collections.   We still collect and on occasion we still restore, repair and sell old Trains. This blog is largely now informational for collectors and hobbyists of Lionel O gauge trains as the sources of information for these old toys is growing more limited each year.  As a lifelong collector, We are most interested in POST WAR Lionel trains and accessories made between the years of 1946 to 1969.   

The MidLantic North Railway is a fictional railway we have names for the numerous iterations and evolutions Model Railway setups both Permanent and temporary that being created or revamped at some point every year.

We have decades of experience in appraising the value and condition of older Lionel items. PostWar Era Lionel trains were made in America during the postwar years from 1946-1969.  

Here at MLN Trains Blog We offer advise and insights on running and reviving old trains as well as some of the newer offerings.

Shortly after Christmas in the 1940s and 1950s people packed up and put away their toy trains. By now many of those remaining Post War gems, never emerged from their storage ever again and are all but forgotten. Here in our blog postings you will find tips and other diagrams on how to awaken the long slumbering trains you may have found.

Original Lionel Postwar Ad

We are occasional sellers of toy trains and 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..."

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.

We add posts and update information on old posts from time to time so be sure to check them all out. 

Happy Railroading!

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.