Standard Gauge trains had their origin in 1906, introduced by Lionel featuring three-rail track. Ives, Boucher, Dorfan, and American Flyer made their own "wide gauge" products to compete with Lionel until the Great Depression brought things to a close. Standard Gauge reemerged in the 1940s and today offerings can be found from Lionel and MTH, as well as smaller companies.
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Featured Manufacturers: American Flyer - Lionel
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Lionel introduced Standard Gauge in 1906. Lionel proclaimed it "Standard of the World". This was 3-rail track with a width between the rails of 2.125 inches. The third rail in the center was insulated from the two outside rails and locomotives and other powered cars, like lighted passenger cars all had center rollers that picked up electricity from the center rail and the outside rails.
Other manufacturers also adopted Standard gauge: Ives in 1921, Boucher in 1922, Dorfan in 1924, and American Flyer in 1925 and they called their trains Wide Gauge. Lionel discontinued Standard Gauge in 1940. McCoy Manufacturing was the first to reintroduce Standard Gauge in the 1950's and then was followed by Williams, MTH, and even Lionel itself.