When it came to electric trains, no retail catalog could match the excitement generated by the latest Lionel catalog. Lionel"s staff artists created images of shining streamliners racing across the Great Plains to the West Coast and smoking steam engines heroically dragging mile-long strings of freight cars from one city to another. The wonder of it all is that these amazing train renderings, though incredibly realistic, were still identifiable as toys. The Art of Lionel Trains features the grandest examples of Lionel catalog and advertising art along with captivating text on how the artwork reflected the culture and values of the times. It"s a fascinating story, a delightful trip down memory lane, and a wonderfully colorful look at America"s premier toy train manufacturer. The perfect reference for nostalgia buffs, antique lovers, and toy train fans everywhere!