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How to Use a Lionel Train Set

When Joshua Lionel Cowen first introduced the Lionel model train in the early twentieth century, he took the fascination for the rails with their massive iron horses and fashionable passenger trains and brought it into the home through a thriving new hobby. Kids of all ages, especially fathers and sons, enjoyed building and watching an old-fashioned model steam engine weave its way through tunnels, and over bridges and highways, all within the family's living room, especially around the Christmas tree. Families and friends often worked together to build elaborate sets and learn the history of trains.

Things You'll Need

A Lionel train set
Train tracks
Model accessories as desired
Wood
Artificial turf
Heavy-duty staple gun and staples
Old newspapers
Papier-mache medium
Paints
Books and publications about trains

Instructions

Entertainment
- 1
  Calculate your space limitations for a model train exhibit. If it will be used over the holidays, decide how it will fit around the Christmas tree. If setting up a year-round display, decide the best place for continued enjoyment. The gauge of the train will help determine the size of the base upon which you will build your set. You will need plenty of space around the display to move about to enjoy watching the Lionel train weave its way through your setting.
- 2
  Buy a sheet of wood large and strong enough to hold the train set. If using a larger gauge system, the wood will need to be sturdy enough to hold the weight of the tracks, train and scenery. Cut the wood to the size you need. Scraps may be used to build accessories or to build height on the set.
- 3
  Cover the wood with artificial turf using a heavy-duty staple gun and staples. To create a city scene, first lay down the train track, then place model cityscape components such as buildings, parks, bridges and houses in place. Glue them down or leave them free-standing so they may be moved as desired.
- 4
  Set the train on the tracks and give it a slow trial run. Adjust the position of accessories as needed for the train to freely move.
- 5
  When finished with the display, carefully wrap the pieces and pack them, clearly labeling all the boxes. Keep the original boxes for optimal storage and continued value.
Education
- 6
  Gather pictures and accounts of a time period to coordinate with the Lionel train set. Lionel offers themed trains from historic to popular, such as the Polar Express.
- 7
  Research building styles, vehicles, bridge types, and clothing worn during that time period. Find informative books, movies and publications to further explain life during those years.
- 8
  Build the train exhibit table. Using heavy-duty staples, cover a sheet of wood cut to the desired size with artificial turf.
- 9
  Assign students special tasks such as building an historically-correct train station or town hall. Other projects include dressing doll models in period costumes and building scenic accessories. Make mountains and tunnels from papier-mache. Students may construct houses and other buildings from lightweight wood or even cardboard using the pictures as guidelines.
- 10
  Discuss the culture, politics, key people, inventions, and world events during the designated time period. Talk about the importance of trains. Discuss how fathers and sons bonded while working on model train sets.

Model Railroads