Summer in January

Even though the weather outside in Wisconsin – cold and snowy with gray skies – reminds me we are in the middle of winter, my magazine schedule tells me it is summer. That’s right, we at Classic Toy Trains always work about six months ahead of the calendar. Right now, I am finishing my assignments for the July issue, including some fantastic layouts and outstanding articles on postwar collectibles.

Essential to making the articles I write about vintage Lionel outfits, locomotives, and more come to life are the photographs accompanying my words. And those phenomenal pictures depend, of course, on having pristine and correct examples of postwar classics available to us to photograph.

And since early in 1988, right after the first issue of the magazine was printed, we have been turning to a generous and bright gentleman whose collection of postwar O gauge trains and accessories is about as great as possible – and his knowledge of Lionel and its products even more extensive. I’m referring to a name readers have seen in our pages on a regular basis for more than a quarter of a century – Joe Algozzini.

Within a month after Founding Editor Dick Christianson hired me, I met Joe and began working with him. I found him easy to get along with, and he was extremely patient in explaining fundamental and advanced information about Lionel trains. As a result, I picked up lots of knowledge and was able to edit and later write articles with Joe that have distinguished CTT. Certainly, the many survey articles he and I have written about key years in Lionel’s postwar history attest to what he has taught me.

Anyway, Joe periodically packs up the trains we at CTT need to illustrate his and other articles and drives from his home in Indiana to our offices. We then spend a long yet productive day in our Photo Studio taking dozens of pictures. Joe recently was here with a vanload of amazing sets, engines, freight and passenger cars, and catalogs to shoot.

I’ll tell you more about our recent photo shoot in my next blog. Suffice it to say, we accomplished a great deal and had a ton of laughs. Joe is filled with information about trains and oldies music.

Have a great day and thanks for supporting CTT.