Lionel Scout Trains: Truths, Half-Truths, And Myths

Over the years, the term “Scout” has been muddied up a bit and means different things to different people. For the sake of this video, I am only looking at the trains that Lionel advertised as the Lionel Scout line that was produced between 1948 and 1952.

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The main thing these trains have in common is the Scout-type knuckle coupler. Specifically, the Lionel part #500-1 Scout truck and coupler assembly.

These unusual couplers evolved from a desire for Lionel to better compete with the economic sets being marketed by Marx. The best sets in the Marx line featured a diecast 2-4-2 #999 steam locomotive, colorful lithographed cars, and operating “fork” couplers. Lionel’s early Postwar couplers were the electromagnetic design which, while far more realistic in appearance, were far more expensive to manufacture and required a special electrically operated uncoupling track to uncouple, while the Marx couplers could be uncoupled either remotely or manually. A deluxe Marx set could be purchased for under $20 in 1947, while the cheapest Lionel set retailed for $22.50 - a big difference in 1947 dollars.

But with these new couplers, as well as other cost-cutting moves, the new Scout sets retailed for $15.95 in 1948 for a set with a basic SP caboose, newly-tooled single-dome tank car, and new plastic gondola, or for $18.95 with the addition of a newly-tooled Scout Baby Ruth boxcar. In comparison, the next cheapest Lionel set, a very modest 2-4-2, two traditional cars, and a caboose, all with traditional couplers and trucks, retailed for a whopping $29.95!

So the first myth to address is: Because these trains are more than 70 years old, AND because they are unusual, they MUST be very valuable! This could not be further from the truth. The value of old toy trains depends on a number of factors, including rarity, age, and desirability among collectors and operators. Since Scout sets were produced in large quantities and with few variations, they are not sought after by collectors. Also, since these sets have a poor reputation for operation - sometimes deserved but sometimes not - they are not valued by operators, either. As a result, these trains built in the Truman and Eisenhower years are among the cheapest to acquire in the entire Postwar era.

Toy Train Tips And Tricks is a channel devoted to the operation, repair, history, and collecting of classic 3-rail O and O27 gauge trains made by Lionel, Marx, K-Line, Menards, and other manufacturers.

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