Celebrities and Toy Trains

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Recently on the OGR forum, a discussion about Neil Young got me wondering how many other celebrities are or were into toy trains. Some that were mentioned included;

Walt Disney
Jackie Gleason
Nat King Cole
Mandy Patinkin
Tom Snyder
Rod Stewart

The one that stood out to me was Frank Sinatra. Not just because he was the “biggest” name, but because from all I’ve read about him, the last thing I’d think he would enjoy was Lionel trains. We all know Frank was known as a bit of a carouser. Loved the night life, Vegas, . . . life in the fast lane all the way. Yet from what I’ve seen, he was pretty serious about his Lionels. Had a nice collection and a decent layout.

What other celebrities are or were toy train buffs?

Jim

2

Although Ike got the Interstates built (thus giving trucks a near-free ROW vis-a-vis trains), he played with Lionel trains with his family.

I’d say that many celebs who are in their 60s probably played with Lionel or AF, as that was perhaps one of the top toys in the 1950s (or at least they played on friends’ layouts)

3

Baseball player Jolt’in Joe DiMaggio and Roy “Campy” Campanella were two of a number of sports figures associated with the trains. I think there was also a boxer featured in “All Aboard” by Ron Hollander but I can’t recall his name.

4

I know Dimag hosted a tv series sponsored by Lionel, but I didn’t know he was a train guy.

I didn’t know Ike was a Lionel man either. If not mistaken, wasn’t President Reagan a toy train fan?

Jim

5

Hello All! Yes President Reagan did have some Trains & His wife recieved a Original Girls Train set from 1957 for Christmas in 1984 from Peter Bianco of Train World in New York. He had heard that she was jealous the president wanted some trains for Christmas. So, he got the idea to send her a Girls Set as a surprise that year.& He also offered free service for it should she ever need it for the train. Take Care all

6

Here’s link that lists plenty of famous people who are involved in trains, whether miniature or real.

http://www.boldts.net/TrainsCelebs.shtml

Some additional celebrities not mentioned on the above site that I can think of are:
-Ward Kimbal: I’m sure you guys all know about him. The legendary Disney animator was known world wide for his unsurpassed collection of prewar toy trains. He also owned some 1:1 scale trains. CTT has done two articles on him in the past and Trains did one a few years back about his real trains.
-Buster Keaton: The silent film star was a passionate train buff. CTT did an article while back about his involvement with toy trains.
-Pete Waterman: Probably the most successful record producer in the history of British music. He’s also one of the judges on the British version of American Idol. He has an extensive collection of 1:1 scale equipment and is heavily involved in the British preservation scene.

7

William Christopher, known better as Father Francis Mulcahy off of MAS*H was once an employee of Lionel before his showbiz career.

Bruce Webster

8

Here’s a celebrity and his train:

http://www.skylighters.org/photos/pow02142000.html

9

Ike was a friend of Louis Marx.

10

Gary Coleman of Different Strokes fame is a toy train fan.

11

Hermann certainly did enjoy his Marklin. Apparently, his attic empire at Carinhall was the largest Marklin layout in the world until it was bombed. Also, when captured by Allied troops, Goering had a number of locomotives and rolling stock among his personal baggage.

It’s also worth noting that Marx accompanied him on a tour of the Orient after the end of the war and from doing so got the ideas to build his Japan and Hong Kong factories.

12

Political pundit and columnist George Will has written he has American Flyer.

13

Sask,

Nice list but incomplete by far.

Perhaps Capt. Kangaroo & his trolley?

Keith,

In the 1950s, Reagan did some ads for streamlined passenger trains, but when he took office, Amtrak wasn’t high on his agenda (perhaps understandable, as I’m no Amtrak fan either).

14

Former President George H.W. Bush has a reproduction American Flyer Mayflower in his Presidential Library. Dave- Captain Kangaroo was one of a kind. We shall never see the likes of him again in this lifetime. The World is a much poorer place when someone like him passes on. Those of you reading this forum who are much younger don’t know what you missed out on when the Captain was on T.V…, Lets just say he was one of the best & someone you could respect & not be disappointed with any wrongdoing in his life. Take Care all.

15

For those who don’t know much about “The Captain”, here is a link to a brief biography:

http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/K/htmlK/keeshanbob/keeshanbob.htm

Also of note, the Captians theme song was “Puffin’ Billy” a reference to a British steam locomotive:

http://www.classicthemes.com/50sTVThemes/themePages/captainKangaroo.html

http://www.ecotopia.com/ulr/lrhist.htm

16

I was on the Captain Kangeroo show when I was a wee lad.

17

It was Mr. Rogers who had the trolley. Captain Kangaroo had Mr. Moose and Bunny Rabbit. Loved the show as a kid. I can still remember the day he got his new treasure house, and switched from a navy blue uniform, to a cranberry colored one. Before becoming the Captain, Bob Keeshan was Clarabell the clown on the Houdy Doody Show.

Jim

18

I think Clive Cussler had some Lionel, he mentions his Dad buying him a
big set when he was ill as a boy in his book with Craig Dirgo.
“Clive Cussler And Dirk Pitt Revealed”
I wonder if he has any trains now?
If you have not read any of his books you are missing out!

Nick

19

Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell were both toy train fans and both had layouts during their time together in the NBA.

20

Here in Boston, former Red Sox catcher Bob Montgomery is an avid model railroader. I ran into him at Charles Ro a few weeks back. He had just purchased a big bag of things and was chatting with the owner. I interupted the conversation to make my transaction.

Monty is a regional celebrity, but not that big a deal if at all outside of New England. Nice guy though.

Jim