The Train Shop - Lionel Trains

In the year 1900, in a cramped third-floor loft at 24 Murray Street in New York City, Joshua Lionel Cowen began what would become the world's most famous toy train manufacturer - Lionel Trains. Since that modest

The Chicago & Alton Railroad was a pioneer of luxury passenger service. In the nineteenth century, the first sleeper cars and the first true dining cars saw service on the C & A. Since the turn of the twentieth century, the railroad’s premier run between Chicago and St. Louis was named the Alton Limited, often referred to as the “red train” because of its trademark livery.

In 1924, although on the verge of bankruptcy, the C & A updated the Alton Limited into a railroading legend. A fast, Pacific-type locomotive pulled a brand new set of Pullman steel-sided heavyweight cars, all painted in matching shades of maroon and red. Inside, the cars featured luxurious rosewood, plush green fabrics and even Venetian blue smoking couches.

From its debut at Chicago’s then under-construction Union Station, the “new” Alton Limited held the title “Handsomest Train in the World.” In the tradition of the Blue Comet Passenger Set, Lionel presents an O gauge version of the 1924 Alton Limited.

beginning, Lionel has sold more than 50,000,000 trains - more than all of their competitors combined.

From the Texas Special F3 and the Executive Inspection Car - classic recreations of iconic 1950's introductions - to the scale SD-60 and SD-70 "Ironhorses of Today," quality, innovation, and attention to detail continue to be Lionel's passion.