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I am looking for a good book on prewar Lionel trains. I already have Volume I of the McComas and Touhy book, but I don't like the way it is arranged. I would prefer it to be sorted by Lionel number.

I have several of the David Doyle books but not the Pre-war one. I also don't have the TCA one.

Are these the best books out there for Pre-war Lionel trains? Has anything come out recently on the subject.

Specifically, I am interested in 600/700 series Lionel coaches and find that in the M&T book they are all over the place.

Thanks.

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@BenLMaggi posted:

To be clear, you mean this one: Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Trains O Gauge- Volume 1: 1915-1928?

It looks pricey ($100+) but quality isn't cheap. However, a search online revealed he did a lot of books so I don't want to buy the wrong one!

Thanks

Volume 1 was published several years ago. Volume 2, covering Lionel O gauge from 1929-1936 is available now. Both books are the definitive guides to their respective periods. $100 each, and worth every penny if prewar Lionel O is your interest. Volume 3 is slated for 2025.

Volume 1 was published several years ago. Volume 2, covering Lionel O gauge from 1929-1936 is available now. Both books are the definitive guides to their respective periods. $100 each, and worth every penny if prewar Lionel O is your interest. Volume 3 is slated for 2025.

In addition to containing great information, when looking at the price we need to keep in mind that these are large books with lots of photos which are intended for a very small niche market, so the number of copies is relatively low.

Well I certainly agree that the Greeberg guides @ $100 each are certainly "THE" definitive guide to the era's covered by them.  However, let me add a word for Doyle's " Collector's Guide to Prewar Lionel Trains 1900-1942"  It covers 2 7/8 gauge, Trolleys, Standard, 0 gauge, and HO gauge as well as Catalogs, paper products and accessories.  It is crammed full of pictures including illustrations of period advertising  (far less text than the Greenberg books) and depends mostly on visual display.  It is however of a simple "paperback" book size that I find easy to take to train shows etc whereas taking the Greenberg books is not possible.  So like others, I am not sure there is ONE "best" book and to some extent it depends on what you want to use it for.  I use Doyle as a quick reference and as something I can take to shows.    I then use the more elaborate Greenberg guides to conduct more detailed research. By the way, the price of Doyle's was $19.95 new and I think I bought mine used for under $10.

Best Wishes and good luck

Don

Peter Riddle’s “Trains From Grandfather’s Attic” is a terrific book covering the trains and accessories of the prewar era. Covers equipment of the various manufacturers, operations, layouts, tinplate-style scenery, even a few recommended mods to add to the fun.

Greenberg’s books are great if you’re a collector; TFGA is a great book if you’re planning to run the stuff.

I have the 379 page Greenberg's Guide to "Lionel Prewar Parts & Instruction Sheets" by Robert J Osterhoff which has the parts for the 600/700 series cars.

I also have the Greenberg's Lionel Prewar Trains "Repair and Operating Manual" by John G Hubbard which has a few pages on car restoration but mostly focuses on fixing the locomotives and operating accessories.

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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