Note: The Eras and years are most often associated with Lionel, but can also serve as a general guideline for the histories of other train makers.

The mid-1980s saw the beginnings of a renascence in the toy train hobby. New manufacturers like Williams and K-Line started at this time, and in 1986 Lionel returned to private ownership. Beginning around 1990, toy trains began moving towards being very realistic and even more interactive than before. The development of command control, a system that allows for someone to operate more than one train at once on one track, using one controller, was a great leap for the hobby and has made the trains even more enjoyable to operate. Greater competition has also pushed innovations forward by leaps and bounds. Today electric trains are more prominent in the public conscious and better recognized than at any time since the 1950s. Trainz’ specializes in Modern-Era O Scale trains and carries a full line of O Scale sets, engines, cars, track, and accessories from all manufacturers. Trainz actively searches for Modern Era collections and we often have many out-of-production engines, cars, sets, and track sections in stock.