Great things happen in a flash and this is quite true for Lionel trains too. When the maker of Lionel trains, Joshua Lionel Cowen saw a wooden toy train in a store, he envisioned a toy train that could run on tracks and this sparked the ignition for Lionel toy trains.
Lionel cowen started the first Lionel train, the electric express, which was basically intended to be a display for toy store. Along with a partner, Harry Grant, Lionel Cowen opened the Lionel manufacturing company in 1900 which produced small battery powered electric fans. This motor was used in the manufacture of Lionel toy trains, eventually.
There were many enhancements like, the battery was replaced with a 110 volt electric transformer and some products like “city hall park” trolley and a two foot suspension bridge were developed. A third rail, which carried the current, altered the spacing of the outer rails which formed a new gauge. This was soon followed by other manufacturers too.
Though Lionel Company became a big business, it had to face the great depression and World War II and fell on hard times in the 1950s. Later, it was sold to a group of businessmen and though it has changed many hands thence, it still survives to manufacture Lionel model trains as many people still feel Lionel trains as an icon in the field of toys.