What's different about us? We like the collector in you but we cater to the operator who prefers quality engines that run, clean freight cars that operate, sharp passenger cars that light and beautiful accessories that work. We search for nice representative samples of Postwar Lionel trains and then take the time to describe the condition of each item in great detail. In addition, we offer very unusual trains from the former Soviet Union. These fascinating items from the Stalin era and the Khrushchev era are scarce and rich in history!

We go overboard in our packing -- everything is packaged in bubble wrap and is double-boxed (sometimes triple-boxed!) with liberal use of cushioning materials. Our goal is to be the most customer-focused website on the net. We want to be the equivalent of your old-time neighborhood train store where you felt comfortable chatting with the owner, shopping at your leisure, and then enjoying your purchases knowing that you received good value for your money. The way it used to be -- the way it ought to be. We don't have a store with bricks and mortar; what we have is something better -- a 21st Century virtual store that allows anyone in the world to enjoy shopping without the hassles.

We specialize in Lionel trains from a bygone era - those wonderful post WW II years which included:

The late 1940's when couples were starting their families (the baby boomers) and a Lionel train set was routinely found under a Christmas tree;

The 1950's when Lionel produced some of the finest trains in their history, and

The 1960's which saw some very unusual (and now hard to find) offerings reflecting the times.

Dave's Trains Inc. sells at approximately 15 train shows a year. If you would like to see our selection in person or just meet us -- come to one of the shows! Just click here to see our show schedule and find out where we will have our trains on display during the next few months.

We also have a strong database of customers who form the lifeblood of our mail-order business. Additional business is generated as a result of membership in the following major train clubs:

• Train Collectors Association (TCA)
• Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA)
• Toy Train Operating Society (TTOS)
• Lionel Operating Train Society (LOTS)

Dave's Trains Inc. is a relatively small but highly customer-focused operation. For example, we receive frequent compliments about the care given to preparing our shipments. We have been told that our packaging work is "world class." Overall, we have an ongoing desire to achieve a few goals that will keep you coming back to our website:

• To offer quality postwar Lionel trains to satisfy the needs of both collectors and operators,
• To describe our merchandise in exact detail to eliminate surprises and ensure that every transaction is smooth,
• To be as professional as possible in our listings, descriptions, web page presentation, on-line communications, and customer interaction both on the phone and in person at shows,
• To be fair with our pricing and policies so as to offer superb value in exchange for the hard-earned money of our customers, and
• To help our customers enjoy the model railroading hobby and keep them excited about their purchases as we provide old-fashioned service unmatched by anyone.

Dave's Trains Inc. can trace its roots back to Christmas morning, 1952 when my parents gave me a used train set consisting of a 2020 Turbine and some freight cars plus a handful of accessories. Every Christmas for the next twelve years, the set experienced some modest growth. They were played with year round until college when they were packed away for many years. In 1986 I discovered train shows and naturally, my trains emerged from their dormant state. In 1989, after accumulating enough doubles and triples, I started selling at train shows and then via mail order. In 1994 it became a full-time venture.

We are glad that you are here and we will do everything we can to give you a reason to come back. In the meantime, we urge you to include us as one of your bookmarks or favorite places website listings right now!

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