Remember Rail Chief Products and Carmen Webster?

[webenda]

The article in the November 2006 issue of Classic Toy Trains is well researched and very interesting. I especially appreciated the way Carmen Webster "reinvented" herself as the business model for model trains changed over time. Excellent report from Roger Carp.

 

That issue is in the Tucson public library and is also listed in Kalmbach archives as being for sale:

https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/products/magazines/back%20issues?filter.brand%20name=942c0f719f6e4a98b1722f69bcac897c&filter.issue%20year=7724c3406f8b49ec8bc551ef07f52576

[cwburfle]

Is the November 2006 issue available? I'd like to read it.

[overall]

Roger,

It might interest you to know that Carman Webster appeared on a TV game show called "To Tell The Truth" with Gary Moore, Kitty Carlisle and Bill Cullen. They had a layout on stage with them during the segment.This was back in the mid-seventies.

[Penny Trains]

I re-read the article today and noticed something I never did before.  You cited the Dec 1943 Toys and Novelties article that "praised the sales counters, which were 'waist-high replicas of pullman cars,' one painted for the Baltimore and Ohio..." and then it hit me that I'd seen that counter somewhere before.  On page 118 of All Aboard! by Ron Hollander to be exact.  On the next page is also a photo of the front of the West 42nd St. Model Railroad Equipment Corp. store. So it got me wondering if the man behind the counter on page 118 could possibly be Herbert Walter, the "dedicated model railroader" who "refused to leave" when Mrs. Webster had to let all her employees go.  Would be interresting to know!

Becky

[Roger Carp]

I love how members of the toy train hobby will sometimes remember names from the past and the great products they made. Folks have been discussing Rail Chief Products and Carmen Webster.

 

I did a long article on Mrs. Webster and Rail Chief in the November 2006 issue of Classic Toy Trains. 

 

Enjoy!!!

 

Roger Carp

Senior Editor