Just got my issue today. Tremendous publication. I've been through it three times already but have yet to read the articles, merely gazing at all the incredible pictures. This is a definite must have.
Woohoo! That means I'll be getting mine in a day or two too! I've been waiting, and waiting, and waiting...
Becky
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
Hi "Balidas" and thanks for the thoughtful message. I hope you'll enjoy what I've written as much as the pictures--well, maybe that isn't possible because the pictures are so incredible! By the way, thanks for sharing the cover of that great Johnny Cash album used as your avatar. Have a great day, Roger
Roger,
Thank you for compiling LIonel's 'Showroom Layouts' into one publication.
I can't wait to get my order and be able to have a beautiful collection of Lionel History, which you made possible.
Sincerely,
Ralph
Hi Ralph,
Yes, I think you're going to enjoy and learn from "Lionel's Showroom Layouts." And what will delight you even more is that it is not a compilation of old articles. Everything is brand new--all new essays that I have written especially for this publication. And tons of amazing pictures and track plans. So enjoy it and let me know what you think. Thanks, Roger
I did not know that Lionel had various layouts through the years, until I read about some of the past Lionel showroom layouts, in a past CTT article.
Your publication of "Lionel's Showroom Layouts" will be a must have collectors item and will be among model and toy train valuables.
Definitely, a must have!
Becky, you will absolutely love it! A few days ago Mike Spanier on the Super O yahoo group announced he had received his copy. Since then my spidey sense has been tingling waiting for mine. Yesterday was a tough day at school, trying to study for a major exam I have tomorrow while fighting back a fever and trying to find out why the right side of my jaw was swollen. When I got home, there it was on my desk. Once I opened it and starting thumbing through the pages, I forgot everything.
Roger Carp; Great kudos to you and the crew for this. Most of these layouts were built and taken down before I was borne. The only layout I may have had a chance to see was the Super O layout. Until a few months ago when CTT published an article showing some recently found pictures, I did not know Lionel had a T Rail showroom layout, and until this magazine, I had no idea Lionel started with a standard gauge layout. Thank you for this historical record.This is something I will be happy to pass on to my grandkids.
I'm glad you like my Johnny Cash avatar. I have some album covers from Boxcar Willie I thought to use but John is simply the man. I can truly say that a love and respect for the man and his music is the only thing that my mom, my dad and I can fully agree on.
Still waiting!!! Well if you're like me and haven't received your copy yet, you could do what I did to help relieve the anticipation and download these articles on display layouts:
http://www.kalmbachstore.com/cttpdf033.html
I've also read through Roger's excellent "Lionel Display Layouts You Can Build" a few dozen times since I placed my order a couple of months ago!
My personal favorites are the prewar scenic railways and I've been collecting info on those for years. Every time one shows up on Ebay I snag the photos so one day I'll be able to build my own version using those original scenery techniques. Anyhoo, back to waiting!
Hi Becky,
Thanks for the nice words about my book on Lionel display layouts. I'm glad you are enjoying that book and have learned so much from it. I hope "Lionel's Showroom Layouts" will reach you very soon and that you will like it. Lots of work went into it, but the results have been very satisfying--and always a treat to hear that readers are liking it.
We appreciate your support of CTT and the books I've done! Roger
Will you have a supply of your book (and the new price guide) at York?
Don U. TCA 73-5735
I received my copy of Lionel Showroom Layouts today and it is simply great. It's a true collection of history.
Chuck
Hi Don,
Yes, we will have a good supply of "Lionel's Showroom Layouts" and the latest Lionel pocket price guide at the CTT booth in the Orange Hall--plus our latest button. So we look forward to seeing many CTT readers next week at the York train show.
Thanks,
Roger
WHERE'S MINE?! I WANT MINE!!!!!
Pete
"You can’t study the darkness by flooding it with light." - Edward Abbey -
WOOHOO!!!! GOT MINE TODAY!!!! Like others before me, I haven't read much yet! But the pictures are impressive enough that if I didn't own a copy I'd definately buy it! Thank You Roger!!!!
Now comes the FUN part! Reading and learning from the articles and exploring the photos in depth!
My copy came yesterday, and I've given it a fairly thorough look. It is of particular interest to me because I was there in person to see the "famous '49" display, starting in 1951, up through the introduction of the super O layout.
The photographs are interesting but it really is the text that elevates the book's value. So much to absorb, so much that I never knew until now. For example, it is obvious that despite Kalmbach's editorial prejudice towards realism the "Panorama" layout was a failure in the eyes of the public, a fact driven home by Lionel's sudden and complete stop to all showroom publicity at the time, which was very unusual.
The super O layout was a rude shock to me and all my train buddies. As I recall the layout was great, the trains gorgeous, the accessories splendid, but the track not so much, and many of the other kids and parents who were there when we were seemed to feel the same way. It's interesting to note that presently super O has become kind of a "cult" item, but back then there seemed to be a strong dislike for it on the part of many Lionel fans.
Bottom line, an excellent publication, well worth having for anyone interested in O Gauge Toy Trains even casually.
I imagine it's the "hump" look of Super O ties that turns a lot of people off. Had they gone the route Gargraves eventually took and just worried about keeping the center rail dark, it might have been more successful. Personally I wish Lionel would have brought it back instead of developing Fasttrack.
Back to the book, I loved it too! I learned so much and now I have a greater interest in collecting old magazines too!
Speaking of the pictures, did you see how many of them have someone walking on the layouts? I wonder how many times track and accesories got stepped on and broken.
Also, I wonder who that very pretty lady is we see kneeling on the t rail layout? The text doesn't tell us. She may have been a professional model. She certainly has the looks for it.. She could have been a secretary that worked for Lionel and was pressed into service for the photograph. She would be in her ninties now if she's still living. Still I would be curious to know more about her.
George
Becky,
You're right.
The "Super 'O'" track appears more realistic, compared to "FasTrack."
I received the showroom issue yesterday. It makes for fascinating reading and sure summons up a lot of nostalgia. This question is probably slightly off-topic, but is the young boy on the cover by any chance the same kid who played the district attorney's son in the 1947 movie, Miracle on 34th St.? Sure looks like him, and I think the time frame is about right. Just asking............
I would also like to know how many of the children shown in the photographs are still living and if any of them are still active in the hobby.
initagain,
I have not received my copy, yet, but in an uncut version of "Miracle on 34th. St." there's a quick scene with Natali Wood lying on the floor looking at Lionel F-3s', running around a Christmas tree.Usually, this scene is edited out.
So, it may be possible that the young male actor, from the movie, is posed in the Lionel Showroom Layout photo, due to Macy's and Lionel both being located in Mann., N.Y.C., N.Y. and some of the movie's scenes were shot on location, in Mann.
An truly fabulous effort on Roger's part! I expected an excellent work but this surpasses my greatest expectations. I recommend it highly.
"Lionel's Showroom Layouts" arrived yesterday.
Mr. Roger Carp,
Wow!!!!
This is a definite must have and is a model train hobby archive!!!!!!
Thany You,
l'm on my fourth reread.
'lf lt has Carp on lt lt Has to be Good!!!"
Dave
It's a TOY, A child's PLAYTHING!!! (Woody from Toy Story)
Hi George,
Thanks for the kind compliments that you--and many other readers--have written about "Lionel's Showroom Layouts." It was a labor of love, and it means a lot that so many people take the time to share their good thoughts about it on our forum.
I agree with you and others--it would be great to learn who the young woman was in the T-Rail Layout picture and so many of the children. Sadly, I have no idea--no identification of them. So whatever help anyone can provide will be so appreciated.
Finally, anyone like Texas Pete who visited the showroom---PLEASE share your memories here and with me at rcarp@ClassicToyTrains.com
We will collect these memories (please give an idea of which year you were at the showroom) and publish them in an upcoming issue of CTT.
Thanks to all of our Forum participants!
Roger Carp
Senior Editor
Well done!!!!
I picked up my copy yesterday at the grocery store of all places! I did not even know they carried CTT there. I just happened to see "Lionel Showroom Layouts" on the magazine rack and grabbed myself a copy.
I, like others, went through the magazine first looking at all of the great pictures and reading their captions. I then started reading the articles one by one. I am sure I will read and re-read the magazine several times. Great, great job! WOW!!! Thank you!
Cobrabob.
Toy Trains, they are not just an adventure, they are a way of life !
Roger Carp, besides being a great friend, is the quintessential Toy Train historian. I thoroughly enjoy our conversations and debates! Roger did a fantastic job on this special issue. I learned a lot about the layouts that were long gone before my time. My personal experience is with the Super O Showroom Layout, and I still believe that , as stated by Jack Kindler, the man who planned and built this layout, it was completed for Toy Fair 1957. I understand the controversial information presented so far as "evidence" and still feel that the case to rewrite the history of this great layout, has not yet been proven and that the unproven speculation is far outweighed by the word of the builder himself.
That aside, the issue is great and brings to life one of the most exciting pieces of Lionel's history.
I would like to also point out a small but significant mistake in the illustration of the Super O Layout. It actually effects one of the most exciting "train watching" spots on the layout. There was a view on the far side (east side) of the layout by the airport, where the train action was about as intense as an 8 year old boy could handle. Trains emerged from subterranean tunnels and climbed to ground level before disappearing across a river bridge, roared down long ramps disappearing into the underground portals, and flew over on elevated railway disappearing into a high mountain portal.Here is a portion of the diagram, showing this area, as it was originally published by CTT: Here is my corrected diagram: While there are other small changes that I would have made, this is the one that really makes a difference to someone who remembers.
Enjoy this issue!
Hey Roger!
You put out the 101 book and this special issue this year on top of all the regular and special features you contribute to each issue of the magazine and I'm just wondering....when do you sleep!?!?
Finished reading Roger's "Lionel Showroom Layouts" cover to cover and thoroughly enjoyed it. I will read it through again - as there is just so much to absorb. Roger has done a terrific job in researching these memorable layouts. I am one of those who was fortunate enough to have visited the New York showroom. That was back in 1961 when I was 11 years old. Oh how I wish I had brought a camera. I've heard that at least for while Lionel did not allow photos to be taken by visitors. I guess you might have been a spy for Gilbert.
I've always had thirst for more knowledge about the showroom layouts and this was certainly a mouthful. At York, Carl Swanson mentioned that they hoped to have the actual newsreel footage videos up on this site. Kalmbach's add states that this is "The Must Have Issue." I couldn't agree more. I'm so pleased that this work has been done and I sincerely hope that it is a big success for Kalmbach and that they are encouraged to publish more of this type of historical work on Lionel and other toy train companies.
A special thanks to Roger for the pleasure he's going to give many Lionel fans with this great work.
Best to all,Bill Schmeelk
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