We recently sold this lovely Lionel Train Set. Here is some fascinating history of how Lionel got into the HO Business for a while. These are now rare and very collectible.

Lionel in the 1950s
During the 1950s, the Lionel Corporation stood as the dominant name in American model railroading. Its O and O27 gauge trains symbolized the postwar era’s fascination with technology and motion, appearing in department store displays and under countless Christmas trees. By the latter part of the decade, as the HO scale gained popularity for its compact size and increasing realism, Lionel sought entry into this growing market. Rather than invest immediately in new tooling, Lionel contracted with established HO manufacturers to produce trains bearing the Lionel name. This effort marked a brief but noteworthy diversification in Lionel’s production history, reflecting both market adaptation and experimentation.

Lionel No. 5711 “Virginian” HO Freight Set (1958)
The Lionel No. 5711 “Virginian” HO Freight Set was introduced in 1958 and represents one of the earliest HO offerings produced for Lionel by Athearn of Compton, California. The set included a Virginian diesel switcher finished in yellow and blue, accompanied by a consist of Athearn freight cars and a matching caboose. Components were manufactured by Athearn, while Lionel supplied packaging, marketing, and distribution through its dealer network. Production was limited to a short period, as Lionel soon moved HO manufacturing to other contractors. Surviving examples of the 5711 set are of particular interest to collectors, as they illustrate Lionel’s brief collaboration with Athearn and its attempt to establish a presence in the competitive HO scale market of the late 1950s. Other Electric Trains are available in our eBay Store Connectibles