Frank Pettit

Classic Toy Trains Forum
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Can anyone outh there tell me what became of Frank Pettit. He was on the Staff at Lionel and his name appears on an “Irvington” heavy weight passenger car in the 1997 catalog. Was the car ever produced. I can’t find any reference to it in Greenbergs books.

Thanks.

Deacon Gary

2

[#welcome] to our humble forum deacongary, I heard of the man a few times, but I can’t help you any further with your question. May be someone else?

3

Frank Pettit passed away a few years ago. I know that CTT did an article on him in 1997 or '98 about the 50th anniversary of Lionel’s GG1. Anyone remember which issue, specifically?

4

[#welcome][#welcome] glad to have you. Drop in on the coffee pot and tell us something about you and where you live.

5

Hi, Deacon Gary! I can’t add any more to answer your question, but wanted to say "Howdy! and welcome to the forum!

6

I believe that he did die a few years ago like prewardude says. Frank Petit was nothing less than a legend! We have him to thank for so many of the trains and accessories we enjoy today: the operating cattle car, the operating barrel car, the water tower, the gang car…the list goes on. CTT did an article all about his involvment at Lionel with an interview with him in an issue from 1993 or 1994 I think. I recently purchased some old issues from these years and remember the article distinctly, but have been looking through them now and can’t seem to find it.

7

Thanks for the welcome. As my name implies I am a Roman Catholic Deacon and live in Juneau Alaska. I have a 10 x 30 layout with 99% Lionel rolling stock. I use TMCC for power and have 5 TMCC locomotives and 40 or so locomotives from all era’s.

8

Welcome! I wish we had an answer for you! I’ll do some detective work myself for you.

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A Big Buckeye Welcome to the Deacon.

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Welcome[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome]

11

BOOK-PETTIT
It Comes From Within - The Frank Pettit Story
Frank Pettit designed hundreds of Lionel products during his career with Lionel. “It Comes From Within” tells Frank’s story, in fascinating detail. You’ll learn how Franks career with Lionel was launched with a little white lie, and how out of frustration with Lionel’s chief engineer he almost took a job with Lionel’s biggest competitor! You’ll also find out how, after 35 years of designing almost 100 toy train inovations for Lionel, Frank suddenly found himself out of a job as the company shifted direction.

This book is loaded with early pictures of the Lionel showroom, the Pettit home layout, Franks workshop, where many of his designs got started, plus diagrams and sketches of his inventions. There are also many reproductions of many Lionel catalogs pages from this era.

“It Comes From Within” is the story of a man whose creative genius spanned 75 years.

$16.95
plus shipping
Book is available from OGR
Hope this helps,
BillFromWayne
www.modeltrainjournal.com

12

Hi Guys;

Found the CTT story in the Dec 1992 Jan 1993 issues. Somebody at Lionel must have had a bad taste in their mouth after they showed a Pettit Madison heavyweight in the 1997 catalog. Considering all the contibutions Pettit made to Lionel’s line you’d think they would name a car after him. Oh well, I guess somebody said something that didn’t set well with Lionel. I’ll try to find a copy of “It Comes from Within” at our library.

See you next time, God bless.

Deacon Gary