Bob @ 20 @ Classic Toy Trains

In 2002 the Lionel Operating Train Society (LOTS) held their annual convention in Milwaukee, and they toured Kalmbach Publishing Co. Here I discuss differences in several models that were pending review in the magazine

This month marks my 20th year at Classic Toy Trains magazine. My primary job has been the product departments of the magazine in addition to general feature and department editing. Add in "web stuff" "Bob's Train Box," and of course this blog!

I retired from the Air Force amid the post-Cold War reduction in force. Unfortunately I worked in Seattle, and there were four military installations pumping people into the private sector, all with the same resume. Sigh. Time passed and it required thinking out of the box. 

I had a few items published in the LOTS Switcher, and I edited the newsletter of the Pierce County Lionel Club, and I had owned Lionel Trains since Ike was in the White House. What could I do with that experience?

 Fortunately the folks at Kalmbach were hiring!

1996 staff photo: Me, Marshal Poindexter, Terry Thompson, Rene Schweitzer, Mark Thompson (Managing editor), Dick Christianson (Assistant Publisher)

 It has been a mixture of great fun and a lot of headaches. I’ve seen the wonders of some of fine finest made adult toys anywhere (and a few clunkers), and experienced shifts in the publishing world and the embrace of social media and the digital world to communicate with our customers.

 But the best experience of all has been the readers of Classic Toy Trains magazine. They are universally enthusiastic about the hobby and that alone can re-charge my batteries about the hobby.

2000 staff photo (100 Years of Lionel Trains special issue): Neil Besougloff (Editor), Carl Swanson, Me (behind Carl), Katie Sanders, and Jim Riccioli, plus staff members from the art, ad sales, ad services, and circulation departments

 Below are some of my observations that have evolved over the last two decades:

 1. I favor conventional control, but command control is here to stay. The least complex system with the easiest interface will win the day. Is a cell phone app the key to success?

 2. This is a hobby where you can spend as much – or as little – as you want and are still able to enjoy yourself.

 3. Nowhere else in model railroading is as open minded about the hobby as the toy train segment. No matter how simple or complex the layout, the objective is to have fun.

Ad sales does periodic promotional pieces that are sent to advertisers. I'd guess this one dated from around 2000. The logo is the second CTT logo that was used from January1998 to December 2003.

 4. A heavy element of the toy train world is nostalgia, but this target shifts forward in time as new people enter the hobby. Young 40-somethings who don't care about the New York Central or the Pennsylvania? Heresy! But where I'd never think of buying a BNSF, CSX, or Norfolk Southern diesel (well, except that NYC Heritage unit), younger operators would never think of buying a Fallen Flag unit!

 5. You can’t force affection for toy trains or railroading on kids. They’ll either get it, or not. You can, however, plant a seed that will return when they have their own family (or when they retire).

A promotional ad for the CTT staff. Lynn Dodson was our Editorial Associate at the time.

 6. Manufacturers come and go, so don’t panic:

2002 CTT staff (15th Anniversary): Neil Besougloff (Editor), Bob Keller (Hey, my back was killing me and I didn’t realize I wasn’t smiling! A grimace, maybe, a frown, no!), Jim Riccioli, Susan Vanselow, and Roger Carp

 Mfgrs in 1996

American Models, Consoli Family Train Co., Bowser (trolley cars), K-Line, Lionel/American Flyer, MTH, Marx, Pride Lines, Putt Trains (Trolley car), Right-of-Way, S-Helper Service, T-Reproductions, Third Rail, Williams, Weaver Models.

 Went, or came and went between 1996 and 2016

Ameri-Trains (new Marx), Consoli Family Train Co., K-Line, Ready Made Toys/Ready Made Trains, Pecos River Brass, Pride Lines, Putt Trains, Right-of-Way, S-Helper Service, SGL Lines, United Model Distributors (Industrial Rail line – now owned by Atlas), Weaver Models, Western Hobbycraft (trolley car).

 Mfgrs in 2016

American Models, Atlas O, ETS, Lionel/American Flyer, MTH, SMR Trains, Third Rail, Williams by Bachmann.

 7. The quality of design, manufacturing, and decoration of trains can’t be compared with postwar trains. The modern trains are superior. The weak link, however, is availability of spare parts and (particularly!) electronic components. I’ve heard too many stories about the inability to find parts for locomotives and operating accessories and this does not bode well. It certainly doesn't encourage an investment in a product if after three or four years, they can't be fixed unless another model train is taken apart for parts.

8. I tend to be a half-full glass kind of guy, so I'd say, to quote the song by Tumbuk 3, "The Future's so bright, I've gotta wear shades." The fat lady isn't anywhere close to belting out that last song for the toy train world.

 Most of all, I thank the readers of Classic Toy Trains for their support for the magazine and sharing their thoughts with me for two decades. So it has been a great 20, and I’m hoping for many more!

2013 CTT staff (25th anniversary): Jennifer Paasch, Terry Thompson (Publisher), Carl Swanson (Editor), Kent Johnson, Bob Keller, and Roger Carp