Lionel Modern Era

The modern era for Lionel trains is broadly defined as the period from 1986, when Lionel was sold to Richard Kughn, to present day production. On this page are three modern era locomotive examples.

Lionel catalog number 18131. Modern era Northern Pacific 2390A and 2390C, Main Street of the Northwest, F3 AB diesel locomotive set. The A unit is command control ready, while the B unit contains the RailSounds digital sound system.

Front angle view of the Northern Pacific F3 set.

Lionel catalog number 38071. Modern era Southern Pacific 4294 cab forward 4-8-8-2 steam locomotive. Equipped with TrainMaster Command Control and RailSounds 5.0 digital sound system.

Front angle view of the Southern Pacific 4294 cab forward.

Lionel catalog number 38197. Modern era Southern Pacific 2387 F3 ABA diesel locomotive set. The set is command control equipped, and also has RailSounds, Crewtalk and Towercom.

Front angle view of the Southern Pacific 2387 F3 A unit.