Hobbies And Interests
1930̵7;s Trains
The Great Depression affected the Lionel Manufacturing Company as it did everyone else. But that did not stop the company from designing and selling the standard-gauge steam locomotive, No. 400E. This new Lionel train came with a staggering price tag of $42.50, according to the Lionel website. In 1931, this price was a small fortune and beyond what most families could pay. In 1934, Lionel was close to bankruptcy. However, the profits boosted substantially after introducing the Mickey and Minnie handcar. This wind-up toy train only cost $1 and was extremely popular amongst train enthusiasts, according to the Lionel website. The oompany also introduced a steam whistle train, No.45N, that is still made to this day.
1940̵7;s Trains
According to the Lionel website, the 1940̵7;s saw the introduction to the first locomotive that puffed smoke. This train was called the Pennsylvania S-2 steam turbine. However, because of World War II, Lionel stopped productions on toy trains to build compasses for the war. For the holiday season, Lionel offered a paper train as a substitute to its normally well-crafted toy trains. The paper trains were hard to put together, though.
1950̵7;s Trains
The 1950̵7;s saw record profits. With the release of a set of passenger cars to trial behind the No. 2343 Santa Fe and the detailed No. 6417 caboose, Lionel became the largest toy manufacturer in the world. According to the Lionel website, in 1959, Lionel introduced the No. 6470, an exploding boxcar. Also in this year, Joshua Lionel Cowen sold his share of Lionel to Roy Cohen.
1960̵7;s Trains
The 1960̵7;s were not good for Lionel. With the loss of its founder and America̵7;s interest in toy trains waning, Lionel felt the pressure. The company introduced slot cars and science kits that failed in increasing sales. By the end of the 1960̵7;s, Lionel filed for bankruptcy and signed over the train manufacturing to General Mills, according to the Lionel website.
1970̵7;s Trains
The biggest train to release for Lionel is the 1970's was the Mickey Mouse Express, according to the Lionel website. This train was a hit and became a collectible.
1980-90̵7;s
Seven commemorative boxcars were released in 1980 in honor of Joshua Lionel Cowen̵7;s 100th birthday. On the side of each of these boxcar is a highlight of Joshua Lionel Cowen̵7;s life. In 1989, RailSounds was introduced. This train had audio of train sounds that made the toy train very realistic. The No. 700E locomotive was reintroduced with massive sales. Many different toy train technologies emerged during the 90̵7;s. RailSounds II was released that had better detailed sounds of a locomotive and a wireless train system called Trainmaster was released.