It's sold out with Kalmbach, but you should be able to find a copy on Amazon or eBay...
Ygh, only thing that came close in 2011 was an article on the secrets of Lionels Showroom Layout.
I believe the one you guys are talking about that I want is a Special Issue and not available.
Click on "Shop" on the menu bar on the top of the screen, then follow the various menu's until you get to "Classic Toy Train" back-issues. Probably the only place you're going to find a number from 2011.
And keep your fingers crossed!
OR, you can check out the current special issue "Best Layouts and Store Displays," it's a stunner!
Does anyone know where I can buy a copy of this magazine special issue?
:(
I wish we could say "for certain" one way or the other about the last year of the 1949 Lionel Showroom layout. The statements made by Jack Kindler back around 1999 or earlier is based on at least 43 years, and it is possible that after all these years, his recollections are a little off, as our memories can fool us. A lot has happened in all those years.
The picture taken by the person who stated he graduated from high school in 1957 appears more accurate as everyone tends to remember when they graduated from high school. The commercially-filmed shots of 1957 equipment running on the 1949 Layout, together with the photo taken by the high school provide a very strong foundation. Add to that the letters from Lionel to dealers which state that Super-O track would not be available until the latter part of 1957 provides more solid evidence the 1949 layout lasted one more year.
What cannot be debated is the fact it is too bad no one can see these layouts today. 15 East 26th Street building is still there, only the ground level has gone through extensive remodeling and does not appear as it did in Cowen's days. The exterior of the upper levels, including the second floor, where the layout was, appears the same.
NYC Fan ... 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.
... 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.
You are entitled to your beliefs. However, stating that the information is "controversial", and "unproven speculation" is again only your opinion. The evidence has been well researched and the conclusion is sound. Just because you are not convinced by it, doesn't make it any less credible.
He does have a point there! I've been thinking along those lines myself! I see how dogeared some of my older issues are!
Becky
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
HI to Condector,
You really had me scared when I read the "absolutely not!!!" in your post. But I kept my cool and went on reading--about the need for people to buy more two or three copies of "Lionel's Showroom Layouts."
Thanks for your kind words and recommendation. I'm glad everyone posting has enjoyed and learned from this new publication. Please keep in mind that I couldn't have accomplished this without the help and memories of all the people listed in the Introduction, above all, Art Zirul, still going strong at age 86.
Thanks to you and everyone who has supported my efforts and been so encouraging through the years.
Roger Carp
Senior Editor
Classic Toy Trains
Yes I have been thinking along those same lines also!
CondectorBuy two or three copies!!! You may think I am crazy, but if you wear out your one copy, or if the dog chews it up, you will be glad you had spare copies! In five to ten years from now, you will be glad you did! Keep your spare copies in a safe location and in their original wrapping.
Condector may be on to something here. Roger's first layout book, the out-of-print "Classic Lionel Display Layouts You Can Build" is hard to find and commands high prices on the used book market. There is one seller on Amazon.com offering a new copy for $468!!!
REGARDING THE SPECIAL EDITION OF "LIONEL SHOWROOM LAYOUTS"
I have been writing to Mr. Carp for years about the possibility of all the articles about the Lionel Showroom Layouts to be printed in a book. It would not effect me, since I have all the CCT issues about them, but many newcomers would like to read about it.
Now it has arrived!!! This limited-edition covers just about everything one would want to know about the layouts. One thing I would have hoped for, and that is the interview with Bob Sherman and the wiring diagram that was in the 1992 CTT issue to be included, but this Special is excellent!
Would I recommend buying a copy? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!
Buy two or three copies!!! You may think I am crazy, but if you wear out your one copy, or if the dog chews it up, you will be glad you had spare copies! In five to ten years from now, you will be glad you did! Keep your spare copies in a safe location and in their original wrapping. This is one special for any Lionel fan NOT to miss out on! Great job, Mr. Carp!
Great job Classic Toy Trains on this special issue! Now I don't mean to sound like a commercial but a great companion for all this reading is for you to get the DVD "Lionel Showroom Layouts" by TM Books and Videos. They have a little footage of the original layouts and the best part is the color video of the reproduction of the 1949 layout built in the early 1990's. They painstaking redid the layout. Great to see and hear those 1949 vintage trains running around the layout. It's very nicely done by the videographers. If you liked that '49 layout, you will love this video. As a fan of the 1949 layout, I've practically worn my DVD copy out.
Pete: There are pictures of that big loco at the entranceto Lionel's showroom in Ron Hollander's "All Aboard" book. It was a Pennsy Turbine and looks to be about 8 feet tall. (The pics are on pages 114 and 122 if anyone has the book.)
Pete,
As youths, living in the N.Y.C. area, for whatever reason our parents never took my brother and I to see either the Lionel, or A.C. Gilbert display.
I did not know they existed, until I got back into the hobby, as an adult.
Since, we did not have many pennies, our parents did not want to get our desires and hopes up, too high.
When, I found out, I asked my father about the displays and he mentioned seeing a Lionel display in the late 1930's and he mentioned that it was large and fantastic.
That's what I know, of the displays.
Ralph
Roger Carp ...anyone like Texas Pete who visited the showroom---PLEASE share your memories here and with me at rcarp@ClassicToyTrains.com.
...anyone like Texas Pete who visited the showroom---PLEASE share your memories here and with me at rcarp@ClassicToyTrains.com.
I guess we visited mayby a half-dozen times from about 1952 to 1958, not always on consecutive years. I actually preferred the Gilbert Hall of Science, since their layout was more interactive. I was an AF kid and the three other families in our building with trains also had American Flyer.
Unfortunately my recollections are mostly impressions, I was just a little kid. Although I do recall (unless my memory is playing tricks) a large steam locomotive front end mock-up somewhere in the showroom entryways. Not a prayer of me remembering anything about a specific track arrangement. Now that's impressive!
My main impression was one of tremendous size, the layout looked as big as a football field to me. I had never seen a layout that seemed so large, even though our first stop usually was at the Gilbert Hall. After that, it was smells and sounds. The aroma of ozone and the hiss and click of what seemed like a thousand trains running.
I was particularly fond of the "underground" station at the front of the layout, and the controls setup, which made Buck Rogers' stuff look puny. And the first time they had the "VIRGINIAN" FM diesel running I was very impressed by its tremendous size.
It's kind of disappointing, looking at it from nearer to the other end of my life, that I never brought my no-name box camera and took any pictures. Even as a small child I didn't much care for flash photographs, all washed out in the front and dark as a cave in the back. I recall that other folks were taking pictures so I don't guess that Lionel forbade it, I just never brought the camera.
Not really the kinds of memories that a scholar/historian can use, but they're mine and I treasure them. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for your wonderful book.
Pete
"You can’t study the darkness by flooding it with light." - Edward Abbey -
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
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!?!?
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!
Roger,
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 !
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!
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)
"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,
An truly fabulous effort on Roger's part! I expected an excellent work but this surpasses my greatest expectations. I recommend it highly.
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.
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.
George
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............
Becky,
You're right.
The "Super 'O'" track appears more realistic, compared to "FasTrack."
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.
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!
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