Lionels changes from 1960 to 1999Lionels changes were so broad during this time; it could almost make you wonder if it would make it or be a sustainable production.
And yes, you guessed it, a time of great social upheaval, also hits some of the largest corporations. Lionel was no different. It did go bankrupt in the 60’s. Former US Army Gen. John Medaris became the President. With trains that were now coming with Satellites and Minutemen Missiles, it was losing it’s “Model Train” appeal. No. 3357 was the Cop and Hobo” Train Car. Just my own humble opinion, but I thing the last ditch efforts were the introduction of Science Kits, Slot Cars, and other unrelated and unsuccessful ventures. Just after they tried the “Talking Teddy, they sold out. Talking Teddy, if you remember, had a hidden speaker which was wired to a Lionel Phonograph….hmmmm. In 1969 The Company licensed its electric train manufacturing to General Mills, the Breakfast food magnets. I remember wondering, “Why?” However, their first shot at it produced the Centennial Golden Spike. In 1979, Lionels changes included the fact that General Mills resurrected the American Flyer brand and product line. Lionel Corporation had purchased its bankrupt competitor, A. C. Gilbert Company of New Haven, Connecticut back in 1967. American Flyer products by Gilbert made after World War II are S gauge and operated on two-rail tracks instead of Lionel's three-rail track system. Still today, Lionel markets American Flyer S gauge in limited quantities as collectibles. 1982-General Mills outsourced it’s train production to Mexico. Lionels changes made fans were angry because the trains had been made in the United States for more than 80 years, while others criticized the quality of the outsourced trains. 1984-Lionel returned to the United States. 1985-General Mills spins off its Kenner-Parker division, which was sold to Toy-Train collector / real estate developer Richard P. Kughn of Detroit, Michigan. When General Mills began a mass buyout, it became clear it was going to head in a new direction. The list of other bought companies included, Parker Brothers, a spin off later with Kenner, MPC, Fundimensions, and carried the company back into the Lionel tradition and ways, with many trains that were equal if not better than the originals-progress. Many “Collectables” were generated from this decade. The Mickey Mouse Express-which regenerated the value of the Original Disney from 1934. With the Fundimensions slogan, "Not Just a Toy, A Tradition," Lionel appeared to be getting back on track.
1992-Remember Neil Young? Richard Kughn (above) and Neil, an avid Model Railroad owner, reissued the No. 700E locomotive. ogether, they created Liontech and developed new model train control and sound systems. Along with its trademark, it debuted Santa Fe Mikado, an all-new digital system which evidently captures real life sounds. Moreover, there was a new wireless remote.
Neil Young also created "Railsounds II" a sound system that reproduced the sound of a particular locomotive, with electronics and loudspeaker built into each model. Lionel, LLC continued to make trains and accessories in O scale under the Lionel brand and S gauge under the American Flyer brand. 1999-Lionel goes worldwide with the web. This gives all the train lovers a way to learn about them. Did you miss all of Lionels changes previous to this? Read those here Read Lionel 2001 to now Jump HOME from Lionels Changes page |
