Customer Reviews

The Big Book of Lionel: The Complete Guide to Owning and Running America's Favorite Toy Trains

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The book covers a wide range of subjects on planning, building and operating a Lionel O-guage layout, but does not go into a lot of detail. Both Post-War and Modern Lionel trains and tracks are covered as is the newer TMCC electronic controls. The photos of existing Lionel O-gauge layouts are excellent, but the book did not describe the type of track nor were track layout diagrams provided, which would have been very informative. Nevertheless, the book is interesting and provides a good overview of what to consider when planning and building a Lionel O-gauge layout.

This book lays a great foundation for anyone starting out. Practical ideas and methods are shown for wiring track and accessories. Care and maintenance. High quality book with very thick glossy pages and many many color photos along with some B/W photos. This would be helpful for anyone interested in 3 track O-gauge even if they are planning on using non-Lionel trains and accessories.

This book with its excellent pictures and detailed descriptions will satisfy the model train neophyte as well as the old veterans.
It is geared especially to the famous "O" gauge Lionel trains of yesteryear. It can serve as a reference book for those just starting out or rediscovering the joys of model train collecting and operating layouts.

I ordered this because I've always been interested in Lionel O gauge trains since the early 60's. Recently I've experienced a resurgence of interest in this minature marvels. I still have the O gauge sets I had when I first started and I'm contemplating the eventually building of an O gauge layout. Consequently I wanted to start reading up on refurbishing and restoring some of my old locomotives and other rolling stock and I thought this book would be a good place to start. I breezed through most of its pages pretty quickly and learned that it covers a broad range of topics that I need to know about all the vintage stuff I have as well as the modern and current Lionel trains and accessories. I was pleasantly surprised by all of the vibrant color photos that fill the pages of this nice book. It is easy to read and follow. I suspect once I get more fully back into this longstanding hobby, I will refer again and again to this book.

This updated book is an excellent guide for guys like me who, after 30 years, unpacked their 1950s Lionel set and got hooked on making the layout they always wanted as a kid but couldn't afford. Lots of insider tips that my local train hobby store owner doesn't have time to answer. Inspirational pictures of very creative dioramas --- my kids like that!

Great book filled with numerous ideas for creating your own Lionel layout. This book offers tips for building your layout, wiring your layout and most of all the care and maintenance of your Lionel Trains. This book is a must have for everyone who enjoys Lionel trains

I found the book useful and has many good suggestions. The new chapters on Fastrac and legacy were helpful but as a new user (electronic model train novice) to Lionel, I thought these discussions neeeded to be significantly expanded in leau of chapters detailing old sytems. I would also like to have seen more (and clearer- such as how many of certain pieces) layout examples. I read some chapters, such as how to hook up electronics five times and still don't get it. A worthwhile book for the novice but hardly a complete guide.

I have a small collection of Lionel toy trains and bought this book to set some of them up. It has lots of tips on how to operate my collection. It is a reference book as well as a how to book.

Very helpful for a novice train layout builder. It helped me figure out how to hook up my father's 50 year old train and track. My four year old has been going nuts waiting for me to set it up!

if you are serious about lionel trains this is a must have for info