The other day a good friend was showing me some of his boyhood trains. His first train, given to him when he was 2 or 3 (he isn’t sure) was headed by a 681 Turbine. Many of the cars had staple end trucks. When I checked some reference books it tells me that Lionel switched to bar end trucks in 1951, others say that staple end trucks ran from 1945 to 1951. My questions are what time of year were the new Lionel Catalogs released and would all of the trains shown in the 1951 Catalog had staple end, or bar end trucks or some of each?
Trucks (and other components) and cars were used until stocks were exhausted. Back in the 50s Lionel was making toys - not premanufactured collectors items - aside from quality (as in assembly/durability) concerns, the components were not scrutinized as closely then as now. I am not at home at the moment, so can’t look at the 1951 catalog…but if I recall correctly the trains are shown as artists renderings, riding on staple-end trucks.
According to Greenberg’s guide to Lionel Trains 1945-69 vol. 1, staple end trucks were used from 1948- 1951and bar end trucks from late 1951 on, so there could easily be some overlap.
Oh, I thought this was about going on a date with a lionel train - like take your train to work day. I’ve become very close with some of my trains. I’d take one on a date. Would’nt you?
At that time, the illustrations were drawings, based on photograhs. They were touched up to show the trains in their best light.
The actual items might have been made anytime. For example, the electronic set was catalogued for several years, but I think it was only manufactured for one.