The Lionel Collectors Club of America has always had a "special" connection and relationship with the manufacturer of Lionel branded trains since its founding over 50 years ago. While the ownership may have changed through the years the "kinship" has not.
For many years we have had a Lionel seminar at each of our annual conventions where representatives from Lionel shared new products and answered questions from the audience. At several of our conventions in the Detroit area we toured the Lionel factory and showroom. Recently we have joined with Lionel LLC and enjoyed adjoining display booths at the World's Greatest Hobby on Tour around the country.
A major part of our relationship though has centered around Lionel creating exclusive products for the LCCA that we could offer our members and only our members. Below are some examples of these products. Check them out, Join the Club and Enjoy the Benefits of the Excellent Relationship between LCCA and Lionel
LCCA members are proud collectors and operators of O-gauge trains—especially the toy trains made by Lionel. The club develops unique ideas for train sets and cars in collaboration with Lionel for production and delivery. These limited-edition collectibles become treasures to club members.
The “Halloween” General train set offered by LCCA in 2003 was a re-make of a rare Lionel train from 1960. Three add-on cars offered later enhanced the value of this set: a Sheriff and Outlaw car, Cannon car, and Gunpowder car.
LCCA developed the concept for a remake of Lionel’s 1958 New Haven #209 passenger train, “The Merchants Limited,” and presented it as a purchase opportunity to members in 2006-07. Three matching add-on cars for this train were offered in the summer of 2007 and delivered to those who ordered them in the spring of 2008: a dummy Alco B unit, a REA Baggage Car, and a Combine Car. The ALCo A-A diesels and the passenger cars for this train followed soon afterwards in July 2008.
The Burlington #216 set was first made in 1958 and consisted of freight and passenger cars. It was one of few of its kind ever made by Lionel. A modern remake of this rare Lionel ALCo diesel train set was offered in 2009-10 with a Basic Set of a powered CB&Q A unit, a REA Reefer Car, a “Clifton” Vista Dome Car, and the “Mooseheart” Observation Car. The Extended Set included the Basic Set plus four never-before-offered items: a non-powered matching CB&Q A unit, a WP Reefer Car, the Baggage Car, and the “Alfredo” Diner
Beginning in 2012, the club began offering totally newly envisioned sets that were the creation of long-time member Lou Caponi - now deceased in cooperation with Lionel. The first of these creations was the Coal Train Signature Set with a specially decorated Vulcan switcher and two coal cars - one operating. This lower price set was targeted at all club members for a very modest cost. It also included a totally LCCA exclusive billboard frame.
In 2013 the club followed with another Lou Caponi creation - The Texas Special Switcher Set sold as a base set of cow and calf plus a mint car. The cow and calf were super detailed by Lionel at our request and sported prototypical truck frames. An add-on set added three additional Texas Special cars - flat with helicopter, tank car and caboose. The set was matched to go with the very popular 2011 convention car a Texas Special milk car.
LCCA Convention cars are offered annually to members as special products and are considered niche collectibles. These cars are usually thematically linked to the region of the Convention as a memento of the event. The 2008 Convention car set is shown here—two PS-2 covered hopper cars decorated for railroads above and below the border: Ontario Northern RR [for Canada] and NYSW (Susquehanna) [for USA].
The club enjoys a fine reputation for creating special, Lionel-made items that often become instant collectibles because of rarity, uniqueness, and quality. LCCA favors Lionel, and the company embraces the club by producing our annual Convention-related and other products. It’s a win-win situation. LCCA Convention cars are offered annually to members as special products and are considered niche collectibles. These cars are usually thematically linked to the region of the Convention and become a memento of the event.
LCCA Christmas Car for 2023 – continuing in a long tradition of offering an annual Christmas Car, the LCCA is offering this special car. With snowflakes pained on the roof, and 2023 boldly printed on the dor, this full feature sprung truck box car is a hit with members.
Typical with every convention, the LCCA strives to offer a car representative of the host city. For 2023 in Concord, the LCCA offered a tank car decorated for the Atlantic, Caralina Western Railroad. Three other cars were offered with this road name, the railroad of our exciting convention train trip.
Each year the LCCA offers a specially made Convention Car. For our 53rd year in Concord, NC the LCCA together with Lionel LLC, released this automated car featuring race cars circulating inside the car. Decorated with a NASCAR themed paint scheme, the constant action is a reflection of all that is an LCCA Convention.
The 2023 LCCA Convention was especially exciting and noteworthy as many of the tours and events focused on LCCA members and their families visiting the Lionel LLC facility in Concord, NC. Members were treated to an extensive tour, the last stop was at the desk of the President, Howard Hitchcock, where a picture was taken. This picture was printed on the side of a specially prepared car celebrating these tours. Lionel gifted each member a car with his family to take home.
LCCA conventions are special and the members who attend enjoy tours and events all week long. The LCCA provided as part of the registration fee, a special registration gift. For 2023, the registration gift was a full feature box car full of reminders of the Lionel Facility Tour and the wonderful week spent at the host hotel in Concord, NC
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