Timeless Craftsmanship

Lionel is proud to celebrate its 125th anniversary, a milestone built on a legacy of innovation, imagination, and generations of train lovers. Throughout the year, this site will be your hub for all things anniversary-related, from exclusive product reveals and behind-the-scenes stories to special events and collector highlights. Join us as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and steam ahead into the future of Lionel.

Lionel Trains 125th Anniversary Logo

Timeless Craftsmanship

Lionel is proud to celebrate its 125th anniversary, a milestone built on a legacy of innovation, imagination, and generations of train lovers. Throughout the year, this site will be your hub for all things anniversary-related, from exclusive product reveals and behind-the-scenes stories to special events and collector highlights. Join us as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and steam ahead into the future of Lionel.

Timeless Craftsmanship

Lionel is proud to celebrate its 125th anniversary, a milestone built on a legacy of innovation, imagination, and generations of train lovers. Throughout the year, this site will be your hub for all things anniversary-related, from exclusive product reveals and behind-the-scenes stories to special events and collector highlights. Join us as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and steam ahead into the future of Lionel.

Timeless Craftsmanship

Lionel is proud to celebrate its 125th anniversary, a milestone built on a legacy of innovation, imagination, and generations of train lovers. Throughout the year, this site will be your hub for all things anniversary-related, from exclusive product reveals and behind-the-scenes stories to special events and collector highlights. Join us as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and steam ahead into the future of Lionel.

The Legend of Lionel

Joshua Lionel Cowen was an American inventor and entrepreneur best known for founding Lionel Corporation in 1900. He revolutionized the model train industry with innovative electric toy trains, making Lionel a household name in model railroading. His designs captivated generations and cemented Lionel as a leader in the toy train market.

Cowen’s legacy lives on through Lionel Trains, a brand still loved by model train fans today. His early electric train designs changed the hobby forever. Lionel continues to create innovative and detailed trains, keeping Cowen’s spirit alive and inspiring new generations to enjoy model railroading. 

The Legend of Lionel

Joshua Lionel Cowen was an American inventor and entrepreneur best known for founding Lionel Corporation in 1900. He revolutionized the model train industry with innovative electric toy trains, making Lionel a household name in model railroading. His designs captivated generations and cemented Lionel as a leader in the toy train market.

Cowen’s legacy lives on through Lionel Trains, a brand still loved by model train fans today. His early electric train designs changed the hobby forever. Lionel continues to create innovative and detailed trains, keeping Cowen’s spirit alive and inspiring new generations to enjoy model railroading. 

The Legend of Lionel

Joshua Lionel Cowen was an American inventor and entrepreneur best known for founding Lionel Corporation in 1900. He revolutionized the model train industry with innovative electric toy trains, making Lionel a household name in model railroading. His designs captivated generations and cemented Lionel as a leader in the toy train market.

Cowen’s legacy lives on through Lionel Trains, a brand still loved by model train fans today. His early electric train designs changed the hobby forever. Lionel continues to create innovative and detailed trains, keeping Cowen’s spirit alive and inspiring new generations to enjoy model railroading. 

Our Story

OVER THE YEARS

Our Story

OVER THE YEARS

1900
1915
1934
1946
1950
1963
1980
2009
2014
2025

Lionel is Founded

Joshua Lionel Cowen founded Lionel Manufacturing Company near City Hall in NYC

Lionel O-Gauge

O-Gauge trains and track debuted, ultimately replacing Standard Gauge by the 1930's

Mickey Mouse Handcar

The Mickey wind-up handcar, priced at only $1, saves Lionel

Smoke

"Smoke" for Lionel steam locomotives debuts, as do the Pennsylvania S-2 steam turbine locomotive and a realistic water tower

Joe DiMaggio

Joe DiMaggio, star player for the New York Yankees, hosts "The Lionel Clubhouse" on NBC television

1963 Catalog

This cover from the 1963 catalog, which is unintentionally symbolic, shows a racecar outrunning a locomotive

Joshua's 100th Birthday

Joshua Lionel Cowen's life story is featured on the sides of commemorative boxcars

VisionLine

The "Vision Line" of highly detailed scale locomotives with the most advanced features ever offered is introduced

Lionel Moves to NC

Howard Hitchcock is named president of LIONEL LLC

Lionel shuts down its offices in NYC and moves its global headquarters to Concord, NC

Lionel Celebrates 125 Years!

Since 1900, Lionel has brought families together with extraordinary toys that allow adults to feel like kids again.  With heart and passion in every creation, Lionel will continue to spark joy and lasting memories

1900
1915
1934
1946
1950
1963
1980
2009
2014
2025

Lionel is Founded

Joshua Lionel Cowen founded Lionel Manufacturing Company near City Hall in NYC

Lionel O-Gauge

O-Gauge trains and track debuted, ultimately replacing Standard Gauge by the 1930's

Mickey Mouse Handcar

The Mickey wind-up handcar, priced at only $1, saves Lionel

Smoke

"Smoke" for Lionel steam locomotives debuts, as do the Pennsylvania S-2 steam turbine locomotive and a realistic water tower

Joe DiMaggio

Joe DiMaggio, star player for the New York Yankees, hosts "The Lionel Clubhouse" on NBC television

1963 Catalog

This cover from the 1963 catalog, which is unintentionally symbolic, shows a racecar outrunning a locomotive

Joshua's 100th Birthday

Joshua Lionel Cowen's life story is featured on the sides of commemorative boxcars

VisionLine

The "Vision Line" of highly detailed scale locomotives with the most advanced features ever offered is introduced

Lionel Moves to NC

Howard Hitchcock is named president of LIONEL LLC

Lionel shuts down its offices in NYC and moves its global headquarters to Concord, NC

Lionel Celebrates 125 Years!

Since 1900, Lionel has brought families together with extraordinary toys that allow adults to feel like kids again.  With heart and passion in every creation, Lionel will continue to spark joy and lasting memories

From the Archive

From the Archive

Reel - Lifestyle River - COLOR - Copy
Taffrail Log - Lifestyle Dock_COLOR
transformer
generator
movies front
pelorus
gate

In the Factory

Join us as we celebrate
Lionel's 125th Anniversary
with special events all year long!

Join us as we celebrate Lionel's 125th Anniversary
with special events all year long!

Join us as we celebrate
Lionel's 125th Anniversary
with special events all year long!

Amherst Railroad Show WGH Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Tours

Visit LionelStore.com to join our historic celebration and discover all that Lionel has to offer.
Let's honor the past and look forward to exciting milestones ahead!

LionelStore.com
Amherst Railroad Show WGH Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Tours

Visit LionelStore.com to join our historic celebration and discover all that Lionel has to offer.

Let's honor the past and look forward to exciting milestones ahead!

LionelStore.com
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