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sizes: the small No. 1910, the medium No. 1911, and the large
No. 1912. For the first time on its locomotives, Lionel used the
elaborate New York, New Haven, and Hartford italic logo. Lionel had
moved its factory to New Haven in 1909.
In 1910, Lionel introduced three new product lines consisting of
eight distinct items: three New York Central S-2 electric locomotives,
three Summer trolleys, and two smaller freight cars. The New York
Central S-2 electric locomotives were based on actual New York
Central locomotives introduced in 1906. The No. 1910 model was the
smallest, the No. 1911 model was larger and the No. 1912 was the
largest. Lionel’s use of four-digit catalog numbers—1910, 1911, and
1912, which represented calendar years—created confusion then and
now! Lionel also added three Summer trolleys.
Lionel No. 6, circa 1907 One of Lionel’s best-selling 2 7/8 inch gauge items was the Converse
Summer trolley. Nevertheless, from 1906 through 1909, Lionel
early American competitors, only American Flyer survived until the produced only closed-in trolleys. In 1910, Lionel reintroduced Summer
1960s. Lionel became the nation’s largest seller of toy trains. trolleys in three sizes. Each size was produced in motorized and
Lionel introduced Standard Gauge trains in 1906. These were a non-motorized versions. The motorized versions shown are No. 101
completely new product. They replaced Lionel’s 1901-1906 line of top left, No. 202 top right, and No. 303 bottom.
trains running on two rails which were spaced 2-7/8 inches apart.
Standard Gauge trains ran on three rail tracks with an insulated center
rail; the distance between the outer rails was 2-1/8 inches.
In the 1906 catalog, Lionel offered trolley models in three sizes – The motorized
small, medium, and large. Lionel focused on trolleys since they were the versions of
most important form of urban transit. Lionel had done well selling a Summer
2-7/8 inch gauge trolley model from 1901 through 1905. Trolleys shown
are No. 101
at left No.
Second Period: 1910 Innovation 202 middle
and No. 303
at bottom
In 1910, Lionel produced its first three models of the New York
Central S-2 locomotive based on the New York Central S-2 prototype
which had gone into service only four years before. Lionel offered three

Third Period: The Revolution of 1923

No. 402 was one of the first Lionel locomotives constructed from
large sheet metal sections primarily fastened together with tabs and
slots. The locomotive also had a heavy steel frame which added to its
tractive power. These construction changes were applied to all of the
Classic Electric Locomotives created in the 1920s.
Another key component of the Revolution of 1923 was the single,
large brass insert on each side that created the windows, door, and two
letter-number boards. Lionel put “LIONEL” rather than a real railroad
road name as the key identifier. With this change, Lionel altered a part
Lionel produced its first three models of the New York Central S-2 locomotive of its traditional concept of model train realism.
based on the New York Central S-2 prototype which had gone into service In 1923, Lionel introduced: two new locomotives, Nos. 402 and
only four years before. He offered three sizes: the small No. 1910, 380; and three new passenger cars, Nos. 418, 419, and 490. All five
the medium No. 1911, and the large No. 1912
22 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles