Popular Collectible Model Trains

Model trains have enjoyed popularity for more than 100 years. They are available in many styles and sizes, but there are a few brands that stand out as perennial favorites. The following are popular collectible model trains.

Lionel

Lionel is an American icon. Initially created in 1901, Lionel trains are used by many families at Christmas. Most Lionel trains today are crafted in O gauge, which means that the average locomotive is about 1/48th scale to its real-life counterpart. These large trains are easy for children to play with and are fantastic as decorations, such as around a Christmas tree, because they are easy to see.

American Flyer

Although American Flyer trains are difficult to find today, they are another American classic. These trains were made in a slightly smaller scale than Lionel and are enormously valuable as collector's items. Anyone lucky enough to own an operating American Flyer train set is the envy of every member in their model railroad club.

Athearn and Bachmann

Athearn and Bachmann are two other popular and reputable model train companies. They make trains in several different scales, but the most popular scale today is HO. HO literally means "half O," so an HO train is half the size of a Lionel train. This size is popular because it is small enough to use for a permanent layout, but large enough to handle easily. The smaller N and Z scales are also easy to find.

There are several popular brands and sizes of model trains. Lionel and American Flyer are both iconic, but Athearn and Bachmann products see the most everyday hobby use.