The guide map for this resource are Lionel product catalogs issued between 1970 and 1985. This period in Lionel history is often called the MPC-General Mills Era. The survey period of this resource is very interesting and exciting time for Lionel. The early '70s are a fairly lean group of years, but they set up the foundation of the modern Lionel. By the late '70s, the adult collector market was recognized and being catered to directly with specialty releases. The expanding category is named officially Collector Series in 1980. For '80 and again in 1981, Lionel produced a combined Collector and Traditional Series prdouct catalog. Beginning in 1982, Lionel splits the categories into a pair of annual publications. Though the annual catalogs are the guide, additional supplements and flyers are also used to detail Lionel products over the years.