The story behind the November issue cover

This year marks the 100^th anniversary of the birth of Frank Sinatra, possibly the greatest entertainer of the 20^th century and an enthusiastic member of the toy train hobby. Classic Toy Trains looked forward to marking the occasion in its pages. Of course, doing so meant plenty of planning and research although the magazine had previously featured Sinatra’s O gauge layout in its February 1998 issue.

The process of developing an article began in March, when an essay about Sinatra in the Wall Street Journal provided a connection with the public relations agency representing surviving family members, notably the singer’s first wife and their three children. An interview was promised … and then months passed by.

During the spring and summer, I reached out to another hobbyist who had once played piano for Sinatra while sharing his passion for vintage toy trains. Lots of solid information came my way. Also helping was the former owner of a famed train store in Los Angeles, who had known Sinatra and swapped stories with him.

But nothing from the Sinatra family or the agency – and my deadline for the November issue was looming. Insights were missing, and not a photo in sight.

Less than a week before I had to turn in my manuscript and images to the Art Department, I received an email from someone at the agency: “Please call Mr. Sinatra’s granddaughter in two days. Here’s her number. She’ll talk with you.”

The November 2015 issue of Classic Toy Trains boasts a cover feature on Frank Sinatra and his toy trains. Stories shared by friends and family highlight the article.

Best of all, Amanda generously sent three weeks later a wonderful picture of her grandfather taken in a toy train store sometime in the 1940s. Too late for the November issue, it will illustrate a follow-up article in the December issue.

So Classic Toy Trains publishes two stories about the legendary Chairman of the Board. Sometimes a late arrival makes everything better!