News

Lionel Celebrates 125 Years

Next year marks the 125th anniversary of Lionel Trains, and the
company founded by Joshua Lionel Cowen is on track for a big year filled with special events, new products and interactive experiences.

Since its founding as the Lionel Corp. in 1900, the company has remained a leading name and innovator in model railroading for fans of all ages. The company’s pioneering spirit and constant evolution cemented
its legacy as a cross-generational toy company loved by kids and collectors alike.

“This 125th anniversary is not only a celebration of our legacy but also a reflection of the enduring passion and loyalty of the Lionel community,” said Mike Phillips, senior vice president and general manager of Lionel Trains. “We are deeply grateful to our dedicated customers and partners who have supported us throughout this journey. As we look to the future, we remain committed to delivering the highest quality products and experiences that continue to inspire and bring joy to model train enthusiasts worldwide.”

The anniversary will be marked by a series of special events, limited-edition releases, and interactive experiences designed to
engage lifelong enthusiasts and introduce new audiences to the magic of Lionel Trains.

Lionel will unveil a collection of limited-edition trains and
accessories featuring designs that honor classic models and key innovations from the company’s extensive history.

The celebration will feature unique collaborations with
renowned brands and artists, introducing fresh designs and creative expressions into Lionel’s extensive product lineup and licensed offerings.

New Hobby Store Opens In Terre Haute

Veteran RC racer Ryan Randolph was tired of driving many miles to the nearest indoor track—the drive often took longer than the races. So, he decided to open his own track: Challenge RC. It opened in
October, just six months after he secured space in the Haute City Center mall in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Randolph started racing at age 14 with a custom-painted RC10T. He assembled it from a kit and spent many hours at pit tables repairing his well-tested first model. As he got back into the hobby as an adult, the lack of a local track made it hard to race as often as he would like.

His goal was to create a fun environment for RC culture in the heart of town and make Terre Haute a year-round indoor racing
destination in Indiana.  With a location in the mall, Challenge RC allows racers to bring their families to a central location and enjoy shopping, food and other entertainment outlets between heats.

Challenge RC hosts standard and special event races, including trailer races. Limited retail includes various RC models, parts, tools, and custom merchandise. The track is available for birthday parties and group rentals.

Randolph noted that the 30 ft. x 60 ft. carpet track will host just about any type of car with enough participants to form a class.

British OO-Gauge Trains Coming To US

Model railroader Andrew Bullis wanted to model OO-gauge trains, which are popular in Europe, but couldn’t find a domestic distributor. He opened High Street Trains as the U.S. distributor of OO-gauge model railroad locomotives, rolling stock and accessories.

U.S.-based OO buffs faced long shipping times, high costs,
and a greater likelihood of damaged products, requiring a lengthy international returns process.

Currently, High Street Trains is a licensed Dapol retailer that sells from its location near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bullis plans to expand offerings with a wider selection of OO-gauge locomotives, rolling stock and structures from additional manufacturers.

What’s The Longest-Selling Plastic Model Kit?

What do you think is the longest-selling plastic model kit? Not necessarily the one that has sold the most, but the one that’s been continuously available for the longest time?

Give up? Try the Visible V8 model kit. It’s been on store shelves since 1958, when Renwal first developed the kit. Recent advances in injection molding
and adding chrome finish to the molded parts made the ground-breaking kit possible. Renwal was founded by Irving Lawner, who spelled his last name backward to come up with the company name. Renwal started with plastic cars and airplanes and later added dollhouse furniture to
his lines.

The original Visible V8 was a 1/4-scale replica of the overhead pushrod V8 design popular in the 50s. It’s a generic design that does not represent any specific engine, although it does resemble the Cadillac and Studebaker engines of the era.

Described as a transparent, operating auto engine assembly kit, the Visible V8 used clear plastic for molding the cylinder block, heads and valve covers, allowing builders to view over 100 moving internal parts, including the crankshaft, rods, pistons, pushrods, valves, and even the fan belt. It was powered by two C-cell batteries and a powerful Per-Mag electric motor. The Visible V8 model was accurate enough to be used in high school science and auto shop classes.

The Visible concept soon spread to many other subjects, such as the Visible Man, Visible Woman, Visible Dog and the Visible
Automotive Chassis.

In the mid-1970s, the Revell company bought out Renwal and took over the Visible line. It’s still available from Revell today, although it’s been updated to resemble modern engines.

Over the years, other companies produced transparent versions of engines such as the Wankel Rotary and the Chrysler 426 Hemi. However, the Visible V8 remains the champ for longevity. HM