A Collector's Guide to Postwar Lionel Trains and 50 similar items

Birkitts Books presents ... A Collector's Guide to Postwar Lionel Trains Author: Tom McComas; James Tuohy Publisher: TM Productions Release Date: 1974 Seller Category: Transportation Railroads Qty Available: 1 Condition: Used: Good Sku: 251001002 Notes: Moderate wear, plastic comb binding, light soiling to card covers, internally clean. The purpose of this book is to provide the collector with a visual record and guide to the most prized Lionel electric trains of the post-World War II era. This era begins with 1946, the first year of full production after the war, and ends with 1966, the last year any significant items were made before production was taken over by a division of General Mills. In the gathering of information for this book a number of expert postwar col-lectors were consulted and a consensus of the best of the era was reached. The most collectable items of each category are indicated, although some readers may have disagreements based on individual preferences. The emphasis is not on monetary value. It is on relative availability. Current market prices are ignored. What is an item worth, anyway? An experienced collector might consider an obscure variation of some unglamourous boxcar as valuable as the much-demanded GG-1, even though there is a great difference in price. The question of what is or is not valuable extends to the larger question of why people collect. For some, it is simply a love of trains. There is enjoyment in operating the trains on layouts, displaying them on shelves and recalling how each piece was acquired. It is satisfying to take an old, neglected engine and make it run like new. There is a peacefulness in the work that is almost therapeutic. The camaraderie of train collectors is another factor. Sharing enthusiasms and listening to stories creates a bond and basis for friendship that should be as highly prized as any mint Hudson. Then there is the chase. The anticipation, while driving to the house of some-one who has called and said he has a basement full of trains is exciting. Usually the "basement full of trains" turns out to be a rusted Scout Set, but occasionally one gets lucky. It takes a lot of chasing to accumulate a good collection. Like anything else of value, it requires time, patience and some sacrifices. The key to fully enjoying the hobby of train collecting is to have a firm grasp of the subject matter. It is to this end that this book is aimed. It is hoped the new collector will learn and thereby add a dimension of enjoy-ment and satisfaction to the hobby. For the experienced collector, the hope is that he enjoys the pictures, some of the anecdotes and maybe, just maybe, learns something. Don't forget to check out other great deals in our Store!!